Meaning and Concept of
Biomechanics
By
Dr. Ajay Kumar
Definition of Biomechanics
• When the study of mechanics is limited to
living structure especially the human
body, is called biomechanics.
• Biomechanics may be considered to be
that aspect of the science of movement
(kinesiology) which has to do the effect of
force upon the state of motion or rest of
living bodies.
Definition of Biomechanics
• A field that combines the disciplines
of biology and engineering mechanics
and utilizes the tools of physics,
mathematics, and engineering to
quantitatively or qualitatively describe
the properties of biological materials.
Definition of Biomechanics
• The application of physics and
mechanics to the study of movement.
In sport, biomechanics is especially
concerned with how the human body
applies forces to itself and objects
with which it comes into contact, and
how the human body is affected by
external forces.
Definition of Biomechanics
• The application of physics and
mechanics to the study of movement.
In sport, biomechanics is especially
concerned with how the human body
applies forces to itself and objects
with which it comes into contact, and
how the human body is affected by
external forces.
Definition of Biomechanics
• Biomechanics is the research and
analysis of the mechanics of living
organisms or the application and
derivation of engineering principles to
and from biological systems.
Definition of Biomechanics
• A study of the fundamental principles of
mechanics as they apply to movement and
skills, aid the teacher and coach in the
analysis of skills for the purpose of
correction error, leads to the development
of technique and the intelligent evaluation
of new technique as they come along
Historical Aspects of Biomechanics
• Aristotle wrote the first book on
biomechanics, De Motu Animalium, or
On the Movement of Animals. He not
only saw animals' bodies as
mechanical systems, but pursued
questions such as the physiological
difference between imagining
performing an action and actually
doing it.
Historical Aspects of Biomechanics
• C.H.McCloy of university of IOWA had
practically showed that performance could
be improved by the application of
appropriate mechanical principles.
• He was the first to develop a course in the
Mechanical Analysis of Motor Skills.
Historical Aspects of Biomechanics
• Contribution of Ruth Glassow of the
university of Winconsin as a pioneer in
cinematographic analysis of human motion
also developed the interest among the
physical educators towards this area.
INTRODUCTION
• Mechanics -The laws of physics
related to motion.
• Mechanics –The scientific study
which provide accurate answers to
what is happening, why it is
happening and to what extent it is
happening is called mechanics.
Major Divisions of Mechanics
• Statics - The study of equilibrium or
balance.
• Statics – Statics covers situation in
which all forces acting on a body are
balanced and the body is in
equilibrium
Major Divisions of Mechanics
• Dynamics - The study of
disequilibrium.
• Dynamics - The branch of
mechanics which deals with bodies
subject to unbalanced forces is called
dynamics
Subdivisions of Major branches
• Kinematics --» Descriptive analysis of space
•
and time. Study of qualities of motion, speed,
velocity, acceleration. How the motion appears.
Kinetics --» Causal analysis. Study of forces
involved in causing and resulting from motion.
What cause or result from motion.
Examples
• Some simple
examples of
biomechanics
research include the
investigation of the
forces that act on
limbs, the
aerodynamics of bird
and insect flight, the
hydrodynamics of
swimming in fish
EXAMPLE FROM SPORTS