ESS 303 – Biomechanics
Why Study Biomechanics?
What’s the Motivation?
Required for
major?
Earn credits
towards
graduation?
Why are sport
skills/techniques
the way they are?
Etc.
What is Biomechanics?
 The study of the
structure and function of
biological systems by
means of the methods
of mechanics.
 Combines the
disciplines of
mechanics (physics),
biological structure
(anatomy), and
biological function
(physiology)
Part of Kinesiology & Sports Med.
 Kinesiology: The study of human movement
 Adapted PE, Exercise Physiology, Motor Behavior,
Athletic Training, Sport History, Pedagogy, Sport
Philosophy, Sport Art, Sport Psychology, Etc.
 Sports Medicine: An umbrella term that
encompasses both clinical and scientific
aspects of exercise and sport
 Athletic Medicine, Exercise Physiology, Physical
Therapy, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Motor Control,
Sport Nutrition, Sport Psychology, Athletic Training,
Etc.
Sport Performance
Technique Improvement
Equipment Improvement
Equipment Improvement
Equipment Improvement
Training Improvement
Injury Prevention
Therapy & Rehabilitation
Research
Research
Research
Safety
Improved Multidisciplinary Education
 PE Teaching
 Physical Therapy
 Physician
 Coach
 Personal Trainer
 Exercise Instructor
 Etc.
Terms
Glossary of text
Download handout from web
Prefix and suffix for common terms
Tools
2D and 3D motion capture and analysis
Infrared camera triangulation
Magnetic fields
Other (GPS, inertia, etc.)
Force plates & pressure sensor grids
EMG (Needle and surface)
Muscle testing (Isokinetic,
dynamometers, tensiometers, etc.)
Other…
Units of Measurement
 Joe forgot his wedding anniversary
 His wife was really angry
 She told him “Tomorrow morning, I expect to find a gift in the
driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in less than 6 seconds AND IT
BETTER BE THERE!!”
 The next morning Joe got up early and left for work
 When his wife woke up she looked out the window and sure
enough there was a box gift-wrapped in the middle of the
driveway
 Confused, the wife put on her robe, ran out, and brought the box
in the house
 She opened it and found a brand new bathroom scale
 Joe has been missing since Friday
Units of Measurement
English system
Inches, feet, miles, yards
Ounces, pounds, tons
Metric system (S.I. units)
Centimeters, meters, kilometers
Liters
Grams, kilograms
Seconds, minutes, hours
Final Notes
 Calculator with trigonometry functions
 Sin & arc sin, cos & arc cos, tan & arc tan, etc.
 Keep-up with reading assignments
 Reading items not in the lectures will not be on quizzes but
will be on exams (up to 5 questions for each exam)
 Missed classes
 Class notes, reading assignment, lecture notes from a
classmate
 Option to record (even if you’re here)
 Critical dates: December 2nd, 7th, and 9th
 Semi-critical dates: September 30th, October 26th,
November 19th, and December 16th