UNIT
CONTENT
UNIT 1 Biomechanical terms:
 Biomechanics
 Kinesiology
 Kinetics
 Kinematics
 Musculoskeletal
system
Faizan Zaffar Kashoo
Lecturer
Al-Majma’ah university
WEEK / HOURS
1st week / 3
contact hrs.
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of physics that studies the motion of
objects and the forces that cause that motion., but the three
main areas most relevant to biomechanics are:
1. Rigid-body
2. Deformable-body
3. Fluid
Rigid body mechanics
 Rigid-body
mechanics, the object
being analysed is
assumed to be rigid
and the deformations
in its shape so small
they can be ignored.
Deformable-body mechanics
 Deformable-body mechanics studies how forces
are distributed within a material, and can be
focused at many levels (cellular to tissues/organs/
system) to examine how forces stimulate growth or
cause damage.
Fluid mechanics
 Fluid mechanics is concerned with the forces in fluids
(liquids and gasses). A biomechanist would use fluid
mechanics to study heart valves, swimming, or
adapting sports equipment to minimize air resistance.
kinesiology
 Kinesiology is a combination of the Greek for 'to move'
(kinein) and 'logos' (discourse).
 Science of human movement.
kinesiology
 It is usually accepted that Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) is the'
''Father of Kinesiolgy".
Biomechanics
 The study of the structure and functions of biological
systems by means of the methods of mechanics
Hatze, 1974
We might think of biomechanics as the “physics of
human movement”
Why study biomechanics?
 skill analysis
 correction
 pinpointing errors
 developing a new technique
 adapting to new equipment
 understanding complex movement
behavior
What is Biomechanics Used For?
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Improving Sports Performance
Better technique & training
Better equipment .
Sports Injury Prevention
Identifying safer techniques
Training to reduce risk of injury
Developing protective equipment (e.g. knee brace)
• Occupational Injury Prevention (Ergonomics)
–(e.g. low back pain, hand & wrist trauma)
•
Injury Rehabilitation
– Identify when safe to return to activity
Biomechanical facts
 Watch video
Kinematics
 Study of the description of motion, including
considerations of space and time
Kinetics
 Study of the action of forces