Kinesiology

What is Biomechanics/Kinesiology?

Study of human movement from the point of view of the physical sciences.

What it is NOT“Applied kinesiology” or alternative medicine.

It DOES apply a scientific based medical principles towards the analysis, preservation and enhancement of human movement in all settings and populations.

Why study? To improve performance by learning how to

analyze the movements of the human body and to discover the underlying principles.

Purposes (Reasons for study)

Help practitioners with their students or clients.

To perform with optimum safety, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Physical education teachers, physical therapists, sports trainers, OSHA, etc..

Methods of Study (Book study and Lab experimentation)

Experiments performed under controlled conditions

Practice in analysis under the conditions that exist every day in the gym or clinicObservation, diagnosis, and treatment of faulty

motor performanceQualitative vs. Quantitative

Components ofKinesiological Analysis

Teaching of motor skills – presenting a skill and know what points to emphasize

Also consists of diagnosing difficulties, correcting errors, and eliminating actions that limit performance.

Kinesiological Analysis – Effectiveness of a motor skillDescribingEvaluating – Anatomical and MechanicalPrescribing

Description of the Motor Skill Primary purpose of the

skill Why is the movement

being performed?

Movement phases When should the motion

analysis begin? When does it end?

Description ofthe Motor Skill

Classification of the motor skill – Anatomical and mechanical requirements of a particular group of skillsmaintaining erect posturemovement for exercise and fitnessgiving motionreceiving impact

Simultaneous - Sequential nature of the motionSimultaneous

various segments move as one – pushing, pulling, or lifting objects

All movement is directed along a straight line

When accuracy is important

Sequential use of segments in an

orderly sequence

maximum speed, throwing and striking movements, and the final segment moves along a curved path.

Ex: Preparatory phase, execution, flight, landing.

Description of the motor skill

Anatomical AnalysisExamination of the skeletal joint action

A description of segment motion

An account of the muscle participation

An identification of the neuromuscular mechanisms involved

Anatomical AnalysisAnalysis of the process – NOT the product

Anatomical AnalysisQuestions

Which joints are involved and what are their exact movements in the motor skill?

Any joints used to limit the ROM? Which muscles are responsible for the joint

actions? Which neuromuscular mechanisms are likely to

help or hinder the actions?

Mechanical Analysis (Physics)

Identification of the laws and principles that help explain the most appropriate form for the execution of the activity and identify the mechanical reasons for success or failure.

Mechanical Analysis (Physics)

Underlying mechanics objective – Purpose or objective of the motionBalance, Locomotion, Projection, Manipulation,

Maximum effort

Mechanical Analysis (Physics)

Nature of the forces causing or impeding motion What motion is

performed and the forces that are acting to cause, modify, or prevent that motion

Mechanical Analysis (Physics)

Mechanical principles Speed of the movementForces involved in the movementBalanceDirectionTimingPresence of air or water. Purpose is to locate potential sources of error.

Mechanical Analysis (Physics)

Violation of mechanical principles – Sources of error

Prescription for Improvement of Performance

The analyst must decide on the appropriate strategy for effecting change in the performance so that it conforms to the anatomical and mechanical ideal.