FINAL EXAMINATION
Semester **, 20**
Course code:
Course description:
Time allowed:
Date:
Total Marks:
SPSC604
Applied Sports Biomechanics I
2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time and 5 minutes announcements
time
**
**
INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Answer ALL ** questions.
2.
Ensure that your student ID number is clearly written on each page of the exam answer
booklet/at the top of every page and each additional sheet of paper used.
3.
Do not start writing until you are instructed. Candidates must not write during reading time.
4.
All answers must in blue or black ink.
5.
Non-programmable calculators are permitted, all other devices are not allowed.
6.
Clearly number your answer according to the question and each question sub-section [e.g. 1a,
3a (i)].
7.
Make sure you use appropriate units where necessary and show all workings for calculations.
8.
The video for each question will play for the approximate time indicated and all videos will
repeat for 2-3 minutes in the final 20 minutes of the exam.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
STANDARD materials allowed on desks during an examination are pens, pencils, erasers, ID
card, single tissues, and a clear drink bottle. No other personal items are permitted to be on your
desk.
EXAM SUMMARY
There are eight questions, total number of marks = **
This examination will be held in accordance with AUT examination procedures.
SPSC604 ** 20**
LIST OF EQUATIONS
V = Δd / Δt
Impulse = Ft
a = Δv / Δt I
Impulse = Δ momentum
= mr2
Linear momentum = mv
v = rω
T = F x Moment Arm
ω = Δ θ / Δt
KE=1/2 mv2
PE = magh
α = Δω / Δt
F = ma
W=Fd
1 radian = 57.3 degrees
Power = Δwork/ Δt
Page 2 of 4
SPSC604 ** 20**
1. TENNIS SERVE (Total 6 marks; 11-minute video)
a) Using biomechanical principles describe how each of the critical features listed below help to improve effectiveness
of the tennis serve.
1. A flexed elbow at the start of the execution phase
(2 marks)
2. Extension of the elbow during late execution as the racquet head hits the ball
(2 marks)
3. Sequential movement of the trunk and upper limb segments
(2 marks)
2. SPRINTING (Total 12 marks; 17-minute video)
a) Using biomechanical principles, explain why sprinters are better able to accelerate when using blocks compared to
when using a standing start?
(2 marks)
b) Elite sprinters tend to have more knee flexion during the swing phase than novice sprinters. Explain
biomechanically how this improves sprint performance?
(2 marks)
c) If a heavier sprinter and lighter sprinter exert the same force on the blocks who will accelerate faster? Why?
(2 marks)
d) If the sprinter in the video covers 60 m in 7 s, what is his average velocity?
(1 marks)
e) If the sprinter above has a mass of 65 kg, what is his kinetic energy?
(1 marks)
f) If the sprinter increases his velocity from 4 m/s to 7 m/s during a 1.5 s period of the race, what is his average
acceleration during this period?
(1 marks)
g) If the above sprinter has a mass of 65 kg what is the sprinter’s average momentum over the first 60m?
(1 marks)
h) Given this momentum if the above sprinter needed to come to a stop in 5 s how much braking force would be
required to achieve this?
(2 marks)
3. HORIZONTAL JUMP (Total 15 marks; 22-minute video)
a) Using biomechanical principles describe how each of the critical features listed below help to improve the
effectiveness and/or safety of the horizontal jump.
1. Arm swing during the execution phase of the jump
(2 marks)
2. Forward trunk lean prior to take-off
(2 marks)
3. Hip and knee flexion on landing from the jump
(2 marks)
b) If the jumper shown leaves the ground with a vertical velocity of 5 m/s, how long will he be in the air?
(2 marks)
c) What is the maximum height the jumper will reach?
(2 marks)
d) If the jumper shown has a mass of 70 kg, and his vertical velocity is -5 m/s when he hits the ground, what is his
vertical momentum?
(1 marks)
e) What vertical impulse will he experience as he lands on the ground and comes to a stop?
(2 marks)
f) If the jumper lands over a time of 1.4 seconds what is the vertical ground reaction force?
(2 marks)
4. BICEP CURL (Total 9 marks; 15-minute video)
a) Is the biceps muscle at a mechanical advantage or disadvantage during the bicep curl? Explain why.
(2 marks
b) Is the external resistance torque produced by the dumbbells greater at the start of the curl or at 90 degrees of elbow
flexion? Explain why.
(2 marks)
c) Using the diagram below (Figure 1) calculate the torque required by the biceps muscle (elbow joint flexion torque)
to maintain the forearm stationary (at the 90° position) when the person is holding a 30 kg dumbbell.
(2 marks)
d) If the biceps insertion is 4 cm from the elbow joint how much force will the biceps need to produce to generate the
torque to hold the forearm stationary?
(2 marks)
e) If the work done during the bicep curl is 40 Nm and the time to complete the curl is 1.5 seconds, calculate the power
during the bicep curl.
(1 marks)
Upper arm
Biceps
Figure 1
Forearm
45cm
30kg
Page 3 of 4
SPSC604 ** 20**
5. GYMNAST (Total 7 marks; 10-minute video)
a) Why is it more difficult to balance while walking on the beam than it is walking on a footpath?
(2 marks)
b) What does the gymnast do to regain balance after the jump?
(2 marks)
c) Why might a shorter gymnast have enhanced balance on the beam compared to a taller gymnast?
(2 marks)
d) If the gymnast has a mass of 55 kg, what is her weight and what is her potential energy if she is 0.7 m off the
ground?
(1 mark)
6. KICKING (Punting) (Total 9 marks; 15-minute video)
a) Using biomechanical principles describe how each of the critical features listed below help to improve the
effectiveness of the kick.
1. Backward lean of the trunk and extension of the knee of the kicking leg during execution
(2 marks)
2. During early execution the hip of the kicking leg flexes but the knee remains flexed
(2 marks)
3. The kicking knee is extended when contact is made with the ball
(2 marks)
b) If the kicker’s shank (lower leg) rotates about the knee for 0.7 s, through an angle of 115 degrees, what is the
angular velocity of the knee joint?
(1 mark)
c) If the ball leaves the players foot with a velocity of 25 m/s with a take-off angle of 35 degrees, what will the
horizontal displacement of the ball be?
(2 marks)
7. BASEBALL PITCH (Total 7 marks; 10-minute video)
a) Using biomechanical principles describe how each of the critical features listed below help to improve the
effectiveness of the pitch.
1. Large step toward the plate during the execution of the pitch
(2 marks)
2. Sequential motion of the segments during the execution of the pitch
(2 marks)
3. Long follow through after ball release
(2 marks)
b) If the baseballers shoulder joint rotated at 400 °/s early in the pitch and 700 °/s, 0.7 s later, what is the angular
acceleration of the shoulder joint?
(1 mark)
Page 4 of 4