COURSE OUTLINE
SPEX 201
Biomechanics
Semester One, 2019
1
Paper Description and Aims
This paper is designed to introduce students to concepts of mechanics as they apply to human
movement, particularly those pertaining to exercise, sport, and physical activity. The student should
gain an understanding of the mechanical and anatomical principles that govern human motion and
develop the ability to link the structure of the human body with its function from a mechanical
perspective.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this paper you should expect to be able to:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Describe basic movement skills (e.g., walking, jumping, running) with precise, well defined
mechanical and anatomical terminology.
Apply movement principles to explain how the human body generates and controls
movement in sport.
Determine the appropriate instrumentation to be used to perform basic kinetic and
kinematic investigations of movement skills.
Interpret basic biomechanical data (e.g., force waveforms, joint angles and position).
Use basic biomechanical software packages for kinematic analysis.
Communicate and interpret laboratory results effectively and appropriately.
Work responsibly and safely with others in laboratory sessions.
Teaching Staff
Paper Coordinators
Primary: Dr Melanie Bussey
Office: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Room 126
Email: melanie.bussey@otago.ac.nz
Office Hours: By appointment
Second: Dr Peter Lamb
Office: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Room 125
Email: peter.lamb@otago.ac.nz
Office Hours: By appointment
Teaching Fellow
Name: Dr Neil Anderson
Office: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Room 128
Email: neil.anderson@otago.ac.nz
Office Hours: By appointment
2
Course Delivery
Course Calendar The course calendar (in this outline) details scheduling information. Note that this
calendar may change as the course proceeds. Any changes will be announced at lectures and be
detailed on Blackboard.
Lectures: Mondays 10:00 to 10:50, G01 503 Castle Street Seminar Room.
Wednesday 10:00 to 10:50, Arch3, Archway
Friday 10:00 to 10:50, L1.17 Otago Business School
 Students unable to attend a lecture/s are expected to catch up on missed material. Unless stated
otherwise, all aspects of the course are examinable.
Laboratories: You have been pre-streamed by eVision in to one of the following streams:
A1(Monday 2-4pm), A2 (Tuesday 2-4pm), A3(Wednesday 2-4pm), A6(Thursday 10-12pm),
A4(Thursday 2-4pm) or A5(Friday 2-4pm).

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Laboratory Attendance is compulsory.
Details of the laboratory assignments will be posted on Blackboard at least one week before that
laboratory session. Students are expected to print these and bring them with you to your lab.
You have been pre-streamed by eVision in to one of the following streams: A1(Monday 2-4pm),
A2 (Tuesday 2-4pm), A3(Wednesday 2-4pm), A6(Thursday 10-12pm), A4(Thursday 2-4pm) or
A5(Friday 2-4pm).
Depending on the specific lab, within G9-10 or G6 Ground Floor Labs, Physical Education Building,
55 Union Street West.
Laboratory dates:
Laboratory
1
Videography
March 04-08
Laboratory
2
Basics of Gait Analysis
March 18-22
Laboratory
3
Mechanics of Jumping and
Landing
April 1-5
Laboratory
4
Angular Kinetics
May 6-10
Laboratory
5
Fluid Dynamics
May 20-24
3
Course Learning Resources
Recommended Textbooks:
For Basics of Mechanics:
McGinnis, Peter Merton (2005). Biomechanics of sport and exercise (2nd ed). Human
Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois
For Application of Mechanical Principles:
To Sport - Blazevich, Anthony J (2017). Sports Biomechanics - The Basics: Optimising Human
Performance (3rd ed). Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, London
To Clinical Biomechanics - Richards, Jim (2018). The Comprehensive Textbook of Clinical
Biomechanics (2nd ed). Elsevier, London
Copies on restricted loan in Central or Science library, also available to buy at University of Otago
Bookshop.
Readings
Readings will be released on Blackboard as the Semester progresses. Some of them are mandatory
and examinable, others are only suggested readings. No readings will be provided outside of
Blackboard.
Blackboard
Blackboard https://blackboard.otago.ac.nz/ provides you with access to course materials, class
notices, discussion boards, etc. Blackboard is used to email the whole class so it is important that
you check your student email and Blackboard regularly.
Students should log in to Blackboard during the first week of the semester to ensure that they are
able to access the site. The login details for Blackboard are the same as those used for logging on to
laboratory computers, namely the username, as printed on student ID cards and the chosen
password from last year. For students who have not used Blackboard before, the password should
have been included with the course approval mailed out. Students experiencing problems can
contact the ITS helpdesk, by phoning 479 8888 or emailing the helpdesk at helpdesk@otago.ac.nz.
Lecture notes
Lecture slides will be released on Blackboard before the lecture. Students are expected to make
their own notes based on the material presented in the lecture and other course resources. Some
lectures may be recorded and made available through Blackboard as an added service.
Student Webmail
IF YOU DO NOT CHECK YOUR UNIVERSITY EMAIL REGULARLY
You can forward your University email address to an email address that you use regularly as follows:
1. Log into your StudentMail account using your student username and password
2. Click Cog button (top right corner) > Options
3. Under Account, select the Forward your email shortcut under the Short Cuts menu on the
right side of the screen.
4. Under the Forwarding heading, type in the email address you want your email to be
forwarded to. You can also choose to have a copy of these emails kept on your StudentMail
account, so please check the box if you would like this.
5. Click the Start forwarding button.
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Assessment
All material presented is examinable (except where stated otherwise) by final examination. Allimportant assessment information such as due dates and times, content, guidelines and so on will
be discussed at lectures and, where appropriate, detailed on Blackboard. Students are responsible
for ensuring that they are aware of this information, keeping track of their own progress, and
catching up on any missed classes. To pass SPEX201 you must achieve at least 50% overall, a simple
average of the total coursework and final exam marks.
Laboratory
1
Videography
March 04-08
Laboratory
2
Basics of Gait Analysis
Laboratory
3
Mechanics of Jumping and
Landing
April 1-5
Laboratory
4
Angular Kinetics
May 6-10
Laboratory
5
Fluid Dynamics
Knowledge
tests
Blackboard Quizzes
Practical assessment (5%)
March 18-22
Lab check in and check out mark 2%
Presenting your methods and data
(5%)
Lab check in and check out mark 2%
Writing an introduction (5%)
Lab check in and check out mark 2%
Interpreting your findings in a
discussion (5%)
May 20-24
Lab check in and check out mark 2%
Full Laboratory Report (10%)
TBA
Total
Internal
Final Exam
Lab check in and check out mark 2%
10%
50%
TBA
50%
Laboratory Assessments (40%):
Laboratory assessments will consist of a Laboratory quizzes, called check-in/out tests. The questions
come directly from the laboratory material and are designed to check your understanding prior to
and after the laboratory experiment. Each lab experience will also have a small writing component
to aid you in developing a structured laboratory report. A marking schedule will be provided.
Knowledge tests (10%)
To test your knowledge and understanding on-line tests will be made available for a restricted
period in the last week of each module. You should complete the tests independently through
Blackboard. You are encouraged to use your course and reading notes to answer questions.
Final exam (50%)
The final exam will be three hours long, and run by the Examinations Office. It will contain questions
from material covered in the lectures, readings, laboratories. More details will be provided later.
Course Requirements
There are no Terms Requirements in this paper: The weighted average of your scores on the
assessment components will determine your overall mark.
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Late Assignments
Late Submissions will not be accepted unless circumstances are evidentially exceptional (e.g.
doctor’s notice).
Referencing Style and Style Guide
When you include references in any of your written assignments, please follow consistently one of
the reference styles referred to on the library:
http://www.otago.ac.nz/library/quicklinks/citation/index.html
Quality Assurance
At the School of Physical Education we monitor the quality of student learning and your learning
experience. Your assessed work may be used for assurance of learning processes, such as evaluating
the level of achievement of learning outcomes, with the aim of improving the quality of our
programmes. All material used for quality assurance purposes will be treated as confidential and the
outcome will not affect your grades.
Grading System
The grading scheme used at Otago is:
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
90-100
85-89
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
C+
C
CD
E
60-64
55-59
50-54
40-49
<40
Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct
Academic integrity means being honest in your studying and assessments. It is the basis for ethical
decision-making and behaviour in an academic context. Academic integrity is informed by the values
of honesty, trust, responsibility, fairness, respect and courage. Students are expected to be aware of,
and act in accordance with, the University’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Academic Misconduct, such as plagiarism or cheating, is a breach of Academic Integrity and is taken
very seriously by the University. Types of misconduct include plagiarism, copying, unauthorised
collaboration, taking unauthorised material into a test or exam, impersonation, and assisting
someone else’s misconduct. A more extensive list of the types of academic misconduct and
associated processes and penalties is available in the University’s Student
Academic Misconduct Procedures.
It is your responsibility to be aware of and use acceptable academic practices when completing your
assessments. To access the information in the Academic Integrity Policy and learn more, please visit
the University’s Academic Integrity website at www.otago.ac.nz/study/academicintegrity or ask at
the Student Learning Centre or Library. If you have any questions, ask your lecturer.
• Academic Integrity Policy (www.otago.ac.nz/administration/policies/otago116838.html)
• Student Academic Misconduct Procedures
(http://www.otago.ac.nz/administration/policies/otago116850.html )
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Lecture Topics
Date
Wk
Lecture Outline
Biomechanics Theory
Lecturer
Feb 25
1
Introduction: maths and mechanics I
Introduction: maths and mechanics II
Qualitative vs quantitative methods
MB
PL
PL
Mar 4
2
Biomechanical measurement technology
Reference positions, planes and axes
Video and beyond
Mar 11
3
Linear kinematic quantities
Projectile motion I
Projectile motion II
Mar 18
4
Angular kinematic relationships
Relationship between linear and angular
kinematics
Technique analysis
Lab
Biomechanical Measurement
PL
PL
PL
Motion
analysis
techniqu
es
Linear Kinematics
PL
PL
PL
Angular Kinematics
PL
PL
Gait
analysis
PL
Tools for Kinematic Analysis
Mar 25
5
Defining and measuring joint angles
Marker models
Data analysis
PL
PL
PL
Apr 1
6
Forces – free body diagrams
Ground reaction forces and pressures
Gait analysis and GRF
MB
MB
MB
Apr 8
7
Impulse momentum
Torque and centre of mass
Angular kinetics
MB
MB
MB
Apr 15
8
Biomechanics of sprint running
Making a cricket ball swing
MB
MB
Apr 29
9
Work and Energy
Power
Biomechanics of jumping
May 6
10
Muscle mechanics and performance
EMG
Kinetic chains in rehabilitation
MB
MB
MB
May 13
11
Calculating loads on tissue
2D Inverse dynamics
Tutorial
MB
MB
MB
May 20
12
Tissue mechanics, load and injury
Stress vs strain
Performance and injury
MB
MB
MB
Linear and Angular Kinetics
Vertical
jumping
Mid-Semester Break (April 19 – April 29)
MB
MB
MB
Tissue Mechanics
Review Week
May 27
13
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Angular
Kinetics
Flume
Student Feedback
We encourage your feedback. This can be in the form of contacting staff, participating in course
evaluation surveys and communicating with class representatives. Continual improvements will be
made to this course based in part on student feedback. Recent changes to this course as a result of
constructive feedback include improvements to the mapping of cases with lectures, reducing the
student’s workload, and improve assessment transparency.
Class Representatives
The class (or student) representative system is an avenue for encouraging communication and
consultation between staff and students. It provides you with a vehicle for communicating your
views on the teaching and delivery of the paper and provides staff with an opportunity to
communicate information and gain constructive feedback from students. It contributes to the
development of a sense of community within a department and it adds a further dimension to the
range of support services offered to students.
Volunteers for the role of class representatives will be called early in the semester. The OUSA invites
all class representatives to a training session, conducted by OUSA, about what it means to be a class
representative and some of the possible procedures for dealing with issues that arise. They also
provide information on the services that OUSA offers and the role OUSA can play in solving problems
that may occur. The OUSA provides support to class representatives during the semester.
Departmental staff will also meet with class representatives during the semester to discuss general
issues or matters they wish to have considered.
Your class representative’s name and contact details will be posted on Blackboard early in the
semester.
Concerns about the Course
We hope you will feel comfortable coming to talk to us if you have a concern about the course. The
Course Co-ordinator will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have. Alternatively, you can
report your concerns to the Class Representative who will follow up with departmental staff. If, after
making approaches via these channels, you do not feel that your concerns have been addressed,
there are University channels that may aid resolution. For further advice or more information on
these, contact the departmental administrator or head of department.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, it
is subject to change. Changes will be notified in class and via Blackboard. Students are encouraged to
check Blackboard regularly. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed.
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Student Learning Support and Information
Student Charter
http://www.otago.ac.nz/about/otago005275.html
Guidelines for Learning at Otago
http://hedc.otago.ac.nz/hedc/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Guidelines-for-Learning.pdf
http://hedc.otago.ac.nz/hedc/learning/
Student Learning Centre
The Student Learning Centre, which is part of the Higher Education Development Centre, provides
learning support, free of charge, to ALL enrolled students. Their services include:
 a workshop programme designed to help students to improve their learning strategies and
their generic skills;
 individual assistance with learning issues;
 on-line study skills advice;
 a student leadership programme
 a student-led peer support programme for students of all ages and backgrounds.
 conversational English groups for students from a non-English speaking background
The Centre also provides two very helpful study guides, “Guidelines for Writing and Editing” and
“Writing University Assignments” and these are available on the SLC website. http://slc.otago.ac.nz/
Library Support
The Library website http://www.otago.ac.nz/library provides access to resources and services,
including group room bookings, library hours and locations, past exam papers, subject guides, article
databases and more.
If you need assistance either check out the self-help guides http://otago.libguides.com/selfhelp, or
ask Library staff at the ground floor service desks, or email ask.library@otago.ac.nz
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The Ethics of Human Participation in Experimentation
Certain considerations are involved whenever humans participate in experiments. In your laboratory
experiments, you will use each other as participants. Very strict ethics govern the use of human and
animal participants in experimentation of any kind. Each university has a policy governing such
experimentation. The University of Otago requires that all experiments involving humans and animals
be ethically Approved. The experiments that you will conduct have been Approved by the University.
This is the case for all experiments in which you will participate during your studies.
The policy is to ensure the rights of individuals participating in experiments. Ethical considerations
dictate that participants have five main rights.
The Right to Provide Informed Consent
The principle of informed consent imposes on the experimenter the responsibility of informing
intending participants of the nature of the experiment and of the likely effects of participation in the
experiment. An important aspect of the principle of informed consent is the right to refuse, and the
right to withdraw.
The Right to Refuse
No participant can be compelled to participate in any experiment. That is, participation is voluntary. A
participant may wish not to participate for any reason.
The Right to Withdraw
Even if a participant agrees to participate in an experiment, he or she may elect to withdraw from
participation at any time.
The Right to Remain Anonymous
Participants in any experiment have the right to insist that their participation, and the resulting data,
remain anonymous. Indeed, no data should be identified as belonging to any participant without that
participant's specific Approval. One way to avoid the linking of a participant with their data is to
assign a number to the participant and to enter only that number on the data sheet.
The Right to Expect Ethical Behaviour of the Experimenter
Participants in any experiment have the right to expect that the experimenter is not going to endanger
their physical or mental well-being. In cases where deception is necessary because of the experimental
question, Approval from the Appropriate Ethics Committee for the experiment and its debriefing
procedures is necessary. The important consideration is that it is a violation of the use of human
participants to place a participant at psychological or physical risk.
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Laboratory Floor Plan
Strength Lab G6
Biodex Lab G10
Biomechanics Lab – Room G14
Flume – Ground floor opposite the labs.
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