KINE 500—Advanced Biomechanics
Department of Kinesiology
California State University, San Marcos
Instructor: TBD
Office:
Email: @csusm.edu
Phone: (760) 750Fax: (760) 750-3237
Office Hours: TBD
Course Description:
Methods of research and quantitative application of concepts in biomechanical analysis of human
movement with special focus towards movement in individuals with disease. In-depth analysis of
specific movements using three-dimensional motion capture instrumentation, electromyography,
and acquisition of force-related data. Four units.
Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes:
1. To develop measurement, analysis, and computational skills for assessing human movement in
individuals of various fitness level and ability.
2. To apply biomechanical principles and elements in the analysis of selected sport and movement
patterns.
3. To describe, compare, and evaluate selected movement patterns utilizing current research and
laboratory techniques.
4. To develop skills in planning, conducting, and critically reviewing biomechanics research.
Recommended Texts:
Hall, S. (2007). Basic Biomechanics, 5th Ed., McGraw Hill.
Winter, D. (2005). Biomechanics and motor control of human movement, 3rd Ed., Wiley & Sons.
Related course materials:
I will place the syllabus, lecture notes, course calendar, and all course materials on Cougar
Courses (http://cc.csusm.edu) as a class addendum. If you have any questions about use of this
program, consult me or Cherie Vinopal in IDS at cvinopal@csusm.edu, (760) 750-8656.
Readings (to be placed on CCourses):
Cavanaugh, P. R. (1990). Biomechanics: A bridge builder among the sport sciences.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 22(5), 546-557.
EMG SELECTED REFERENCES
Bigland-Ritchie, B. (1981). EMG/force relations and fatigue of human voluntary
contractions. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 9, 75-116.
De Luca, C.J. (1997). The use of surface electromyography in biomechanics. Journal of
Applied Biomechanics, 13 (2), 135-163.
Dowling, J.J. (1998). The use of electromyography for the noninvasive prediction of
muscle forces: current issues. Sports Medicine, 24, 82-96.
Wickham, J.B., & Brown, J.M.M. (1998). Muscles within muscles: the neuromotor control
of intra-muscular segments. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 78, 219-225.
3-DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND SMOOTHING SELECTED REFERENCES
Clayton, H. M. (1991). Advances in motion analysis. Veterinary Clinics of North
America: Equine Practice 7(2), 365-382.
Challis, J.H. (1999). A procedure for the automatic determination of the filter cutoff
frequency for the processing of biomechanical data. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 15, 303317.
D’Amico, M., & Ferrigno, G. (1992). Comparison between the more recent techniques
for smoothing and derivative assessment in biomechanics. Medical and Biological Engineering
and Computing, 30, 193-204.
Giakas, G., & Baltzopoulos, V. (1997). Optimal digital filtering requires a different cutoff
frequency strategy for the determination of the higher derivatives. Journal of Biomechanics,
30, 851-856.
Giakas, G., Baltzopoulos, V., & Bartlett, R.M. (1998). Improved extrapolation techniques
in recursive digital filtering: a comparison of least squares and prediction. Journal of
Biomechanics, 31, 87-91.
Jackson, K.M. (1979). Fitting of mathematical functions to biomechanical data. Journal
of Biomedical Engineering, 26, 122-124.
Pezzack, J.C., Norman, R.W., & Winter, D.A. (1977). An assessment of derivative
determining techniques used for motion analysis. Journal of Biomechanics, 10, 377-382.
Vaughan, C.L. (1982). Smoothing and differentiation of displacement data: an
application of splines and digital filtering. International Journal of Bio-Medical Computing, 13,
375-386.
Woltring, H.J. (1985). On optimal smoothing an derivative estimation from noisy
displacement data in biomechanics. Human Movement Science, 4, 229-245.
Wood, G.A. (1982). Data smoothing and differentiation procedures in biomechanics.
Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 10, 308-362.
Yu, B., Gabiriel, D., Noble, L., & An, K.N. (1999). Estimate of the optimum cutoff
frequency for the Butterworth low-pass digital filter. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 15, 318329.
FORCE PLATE SELECTED REFERENCES
Dowling, J.J., & Vamos, L. (1993). Identification of kinetic and temporal factors related to
vertical jump performance. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 9, 95-110.
Miller, D.I., & East, D.J. (1976). Kinematic and kinetic correlates of vertical jumping in
women. In P.V. Komi (Ed.), Biomechanics V-B (pp. 65-72). Baltimore: University Park Press.
Munro, C.R., Miller, D.I., & Fuglevand, A.J. (1987). Ground reaction forces in running: a
reexamination. Journal of Biomechanics, 20, 147-155.
Williams, K.R. (1985). The biomechanics of running. Exercise and Sport Sciences
Reviews, 13, 389-411
Class Format:
Lectures, class discussion, small group discussions, student presentations, and lab set-up and
demonstrations that includes data collection sessions.
Criteria for Evaluation:
A. Research Proposals (30%): Each student will be responsible to locate articles related to their
own research interests and the biomechanical topic discussed from current literature . These
articles will be summarized in written form following the guidelines below. The summaries
should be approximately 2 pages in length.
1. proposal idea
2. purpose and relevance of the study
3. literature review
4. methods proposed
B. Research Projects (60%). Students in groups of four will conduct a research
study utilizing the biomechanical tools presented in class. Resultant data will be disseminated via written
and oral presentation.
C. Final Exam (10%) Exam composed of methodological concepts used throughout the course.
A = 90% or better
B = 80 - 89%
C = 65 - 79%
D = 55 - 64%
F = < 55 %
Writing Requirement: An important skill needed in this course is written communication that
is appropriate, concise, and clear. Students will demonstrate this proficiency in scientific writing
by meeting high standards of clarity and accuracy in all submitted work. Work must be typed
and should not be submitted with errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Points will
be deducted from all submitted written work that is not pristine. See me first, or visit the Writing
Center (contact Erin Goldin at 750-4192; egoldin@csusm.edu), if your writing proficiency is
inadequate.
Courtesy Policy: Please make sure to turn all cellular phones to vibrate prior to class and also
refrain from checking them (or text messaging) during class. Students observed text messaging
will be immediately excused from class and not allowed back until after a personal meeting with
the instructor. No cell phones or IPODs will be allowed in class during any quizzes or exams. If
seen, you will be asked to remove it from class. Students are expected to refrain from using
laptops for checking personal e-mails or perusing inappropriate websites (FaceBook, MySpace,
ESPN.com, etc) during class.
Late Work Policy: Late submission of assignments and/or missed exams will never be allowed
unless extenuating circumstances (accident, family emergency, etc.) arise, in which case the
student must provide proof of said circumstance. In-class quizzes missed for any reason cannot
be made-up. Laboratory sessions can be made up with instructor discretion.
Academic Honesty Policy: Students must read the University Policy regarding academic
misconduct at the following link (http://lynx.csusm.edu/policies/procedure_print.asp?ID=187).
To paraphrase that document, “Cheating and plagiarism in connection with an academic
program at a campus is listed in Section 41301, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, as an
offense for which a student may be expelled, suspended, put on probation, or given a less severe
disciplinary sanction.” All written work and oral presentation assignments must be original
work. All ideas/material that are borrowed from other sources must have appropriate references
to the original sources. Any quoted material should give credit to the source and be punctuated
with quotation marks. Students are responsible for honest completion of their work including
examinations. There will be no tolerance for infractions. If you believe there has been an
infraction by someone in the class, please bring it to the instructor’s attention. The instructor
reserves the right to discipline any student for academic dishonesty, in accordance with the
general rules and regulations of the university. Disciplinary action may include the lowering of
grades and/or the assignment of a failing grade for an exam, assignment, or the class as a
whole.” In this class, this may include cheating on exams and quizzes, plagiarizing material
from various resources, including your peers, for your project/labs, and fabricating data for labs
and other assignments.
Disabled Students: If you need any assistance in this class due to a disabling condition, consult
Disabled Student Services, (760) 750-4905, at this link: http://www.csusm.edu/dss/. Students
authorized by DSS to receive reasonable accommodations should meet with me during my office
hours in order to ensure confidentiality.
Course schedule: to be modified at discretion of instructor:
Week
1-2
3-4
5-7
8 - 10
9 - 12
13 - 15
Topic
Introduction to biomechanics
and measurement tools
Research in biomechanics
EMG in biomechanics
Motion capture in
biomechanics
Forces in biomechanics
Final exam
Assignment
Text chapter 1 – 2 and
readings
Readings
Text chapter 4 and readings;
submit research proposal
Text chapter 5 and readings
Text chapter 3 and readings
Final project due