Sample Questions
The science of biomechanics is split into
several branches. The branch associated
with the study of the actions of forces
causing motion is called:
a. statics
b. kinetics
c. kinematics
d. anthropometrics
Chapter 1: Introduction to
Biomechanics of
Human Movement
The study of biomechanics is useful because it provides the basis for:
a. the analysis of human movements
b. finding principles of human movement
c. understanding the reasons for specific
techniques
d. valid qualitative analysis
e. all of the above
Using mechanics to study the structure
and function of living things is:
a. kinesiology
b. sports medicine
c. ergonomics
d. biomechanics
The study of the structure of the human
body is _____, while the study of the
amount and causes of human movement
is _____.
a. anatomy, physiology
b. anatomy, biomechanics
c. anthropometrics, physiology
d. anatomy, anthropometrics
The academic field that literally means
"the study of movement" is:
a. biomechanics
b. ergonomics
c. motor behavior
d. kinesiology
Most professionals primarily use _____
analysis of human movement technique.
a. qualitative
b. quantitative
c. isokinetic
d. diagnostic
Interdisciplinary means _____ of several
scientific disciplines.
a. separate use
b. integrated use
c. individual use
d. independent use
Sources that are more likely to provide
valid observations and knowledge
over mere information are:
a. magazines
b. websites
c. professional journals
d. peer-reviewed journals
Which is a qualitative descriptor of human
performance?
a. over-rotated
b. 160 degrees
c. 4.3 seconds
d. both b and c
1
2 FUNDAMENTALS
OF
BIOMECHANICS
Biomechanical knowledge to solve a
human movement problem will
often require _____ in computer
bibliographies and databases to
find good sources.
a. a simple search
b. careless searching
c. careful and multiple searches
d. only limited searches
Chapter 2: Fundamentals
of Biomechanics and
Qualitative Analysis
The most common area of mechanics
used in sport and exercise
biomechanics is:
a. rigid body
b. quantum
c. deformable body
e. fluid
The rotary effect of a force is called a:
a. torque
b. stress
c. strain
d. tension
The explanation of the causes of motion is
what branch of mechanics?
a. kinematics
b. statics
c. dynamics
d. kinetics
A variable requiring only size and units to
fully describe is a:
a. vector
b. scaler
c. parameter
d. tensor
A machine used to measure force or torque
is called a:
a. goniometer
b. dynamometer
c. barbell
d. ergometer
The prioritizing of intervention in qualitative analysis is:
a. preparation
b. observation
c. evaluation
d. diagnosis
Which of the following is a vector
quantity?
a. mass
b. velocity
c. speed
d. kinetic energy
What is not an organizing tool for
knowledge in science?
a. technology
b. theory
c. law
d. principle
Biomechanics is used in what task(s) of
qualitative analysis?
a. preparation
b. evaluation/diagnosis
c. intervention
d. all of the above
Which of the following is not one of the
nine application principles of biomechanics used in the text?
a. spin
b. kinetic chain
c. balance
d. inertia
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS 3
Chapter 3: Anatomical
Description and
Its Limitations
Anatomy primarily provides _____ human
movement.
a. a complete description of
b. a completely standardized language
for describing
c. an initial language for describing the
human body as a prerequisite to
studying
d. intuitively obvious labels for the body
and its motion to explain
The midsagittal plane divides the body
into:
a. three parts (body, mind, and spirit)
b. left and right
c. front and back
d. top and bottom
Gravity is the force producing vertebral
flexion from a standing position. What
muscle group eccentrically acts to
control this movement?
a. abdominals
b. hip flexors
c. erector spinae
d. hamstrings
The axis of rotation is _____ to the plane
of movement it creates.
a. proximal
b. distal
c. parallel
d. at right angles
Motion in the frontal plane typically is
described by _____ joint motions.
a. flexion/extension
b. abduction/adduction
c. internal/external rotation
d. pronation/supination
Which is false about the mechanical
method of functional anatomical
analysis?
a. based on the origin and insertion
of muscles
c. requires knowledge of joint axes
b. correctly identifies the actions of
muscles
d. requires knowledge of planes in
motion
Stretching to increase the joint range of
motion should attempt to stretch:
a. muscles crossing that joint
b. ligaments
c. cartilage
d. all of the above
Joint stability is _____ related to joint
mobility.
a. not
b. directly
c. weakly
d. inversely
Muscular injury is most likely to happen
in what muscle action?
a. isometric
b. inactive
c. concentric
d. eccentric
The muscle action overemphasized by
functional anatomy is:
a. isometric
b. inactive
c. concentric
d. eccentric
The Hill muscle model has _____
element(s) to describe the passive
tension of muscle.
a. one
b. two
c. three
d. four
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4 FUNDAMENTALS
OF
BIOMECHANICS
Biomechanical research shows that _____
of the hypothesized actions of muscles
by functional anatomy are incorrect.
a. none
b. some
c. all
d. many
The range of motion principle suggests
that greater numbers of segments and
the motion used favors _____
movement objectives.
a. speed
b. force
c. accuracy
d. both a and b
The force–motion principle states that to
modify the motion of an object _____
forces must be acting.
a. internal
b. muscular
c. external
d. unbalanced
Muscle activation results in tension that:
a. pulls the origin to the insertion
b. pulls both attachments about equally
c. pulls the insertion to the origin
d. stabilizes both attachments
EMG research demonstrates that
muscles in most normal human
movements act in:
a. long, sustained bursts
b. invariant bursts
c. short bursts
d. isometric actions
The component of the Hill muscle model
that primarily represents the passive
tension of muscle is:
a. CC
b. PEC
c. SEC
d. SSC
e. both b and c
f. none of the above
Chapter 4: Mechanics of the
Musculoskeletal System
The normal pattern of motor unit recruitment is usually:
a. passive tension to active tension
b. FOG to FG
c. slow twitch to fast twitch
d. FG to SO
Muscle–tendon units are "viscoelastic,"
meaning the force in a stretch is
related to:
a. length only
b. time only
c. length and timing
d. elasticity
Muscle fibers that take about 100 ms (1/10
sec) to reach peak twitch force are:
a. slow twitch
b. fast twitch
c. II d
d. III a
A muscle group creating a torque
greater than the torque provided by
the resistance creates what type of
muscle action?
a. concentric
b. eccentric
c. isotonic
d. isokinetic
Remodeling of bone occurs according to:
a. Wolff's law
b. the force on the bone
c. Hennman's law
d. Huxley's law
Forces tending to squeeze a bone along its
longitudinal axis cause _____ loading.
a. torsion
b. tension
c. shear
d. compression
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS 5
Which kind of bone can resist greater
tensile strain before failure?
a. cortical
b. cancellous
c. long
d. flat
The functional unit of motor control is:
a. the motor unit
b. the sarcomere
c. the brain
d. the fascicle
Mechanical stress is:
a. a push or pull
b. force per unit area
c. a tendency to rotate
d. the amount of deformation
Which part of bone is weaker and can
develop stress fractures?
a. cortical
b. cancellous
c. long
d. flat
The mechanical stiffness of a bone or
tendon refers to its:
a. elasticity
b. energy storage capacity
c. toughness before failure
d. decrease in stress with time
The faster the rate of loading of muscle or
bone, the greater the:
a. stiffness
b. strain
c. stress
d. both a and c
The faster the shortening of muscle, _____
the tension.
a. the greater
b. is unrelated to
c. the lower
The force–time relationship or electromechanical delay refers to the time lag
between _____ and _____.
a. stimulus, response
b. activation, motion
c. EMG, muscle force
d. both b and c
The stretch-shortening cycle is created
from what sequence of muscle actions?
a. isometric—concentric
b. isometric—eccentric
c. eccentric—concentric
d. concentric—eccentric
The timing of how muscular force is created and applied refers to the:
a. electromechanical delay
b. length–tension relationship
c. force–time principle
d. force–velocity relationship
The simulation of a motor unit several
times before a twitch can be completed
is called:
a. recruitment
b. rate coding
c. firing rate
d. both b and c
Considerable improvement in initial
increases in muscular strength from
weight training is from:
a. neuromuscular activation
b. atrophy
c. hypertrophy
d. coactivation of antagonists
Chapter 5: Linear and
Angular Kinematics
The best kinematic descriptors of motion
are dependent on:
a. a frame of reference
b. the analysis of interest
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
6 FUNDAMENTALS
OF
BIOMECHANICS
c. the nature of the motion
d. all of the above
Linear distance traveled per unit time by a
person walking is:
a. speed
b. displacement
c. velocity
d. acceleration
Documenting linear motion in a particular
direction is:
a. distance
b. position
c. displacement
d. both a and c
Which of the following factors will help
increase the horizontal distance a softball
is thrown?
a. angle of projection above 45 degrees
b. increase projection height
c. decrease vertical velocity
d. all of the above
An example of an absolute angle
would be:
a. trunk lean in running
b. knee angle in walking
c. angle between the forearm and a golf
club
d. elbow angle
The rate of change of velocity is:
a. acceleration
b. displacement
c. angular acceleration
d. angular impulse
Which is not a valid unit of angular
velocity?
a. meters per second
b. degrees per hour
c. radians per second
d. revolutions per minute
Description of a patient's ankle range of
motion is an example of:
a. dynamics
b. kinematics
c. kinetics
d. mechanics
A change in angle in a particular direction
is ____, while the rate of change in angle
in that direction is:
a. position, velocity
b. displacement, angle
c. angular displacement, angular
velocity
d. angular velocity, angular displacement
The smaller the time interval used for
kinematic calculations, _____ the
resulting estimate.
a. the better
b. the worse
c. will have no effect on
d. will increase the chances of error in
A gymnast is performing a backwards
1-1/2 somersault in a tuck position.
While she is in the air, what is the
vertical acceleration of her center
of gravity?
a. first negative, then positive
b. always upward
c. always downward
d. varies with body position
The rate of change of angular displacement is:
a. velocity
b. angular acceleration
c. acceleration
d. angular velocity
The horizontal acceleration of a 100-m
sprinter is usually near zero:
a. during the first few strides
b. at peak speed
c. near the end of the race
d. at the start
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS 7
The angular acceleration of a bat should
be _____ just before impact in skilled
batting.
a. near zero
b. large and negative
c. large and positive
Radar measurements of ball speed in
throwing are probably _____ compared
to the stopwatch calculations.
a. less accurate
b. more accurate
c. as accurate
d. both a and b
The optimal angle of projection for most
sport projectiles is:
a. less than 45 degrees
b. 45 degrees
c. greater than 45 degrees
d. specific to that particular sport/goal
The predictable effects of the forces of
gravity and air resistance mean that the
optimal projection principle can specify
_____ initial trajectories of projectiles.
a. one uniquely optimal
b. a range of successful
c. several successful
d. both a and c
Coordination for high-speed movements
tends to fall on what end of the
Coordination Continuum?
a. single-segment
b. sequential
c. simultaneous
d. multi-segment
Chapter 6: Linear Kinetics
Which is not a kinetic variable?
a. momentum
b. radian
c. work
d. force
The effect of a force acting over time is:
a. the normal reaction
b. impulse
c. potential energy
d. kinetic energy
A muscle's angle of pull on bone _____ as
the joint angle changes.
a. stays the same
b. changes, but only has a minor
biomechanical effect
c. changes
The force of dry friction depends on:
a. elasticity
b. coefficient of friction
c. normal force
d. both b and c
Which is a scalar quantity?
a. velocity
b. displacement
c. acceleration
d. mass
e. momentum
The force acting at right angles to surfaces
in contact is:
a. the normal reaction
b. a component
c. strain energy
d. friction
e. the coefficient of friction
A free body diagram in biomechanics is
used to indicate:
a. weight distribution
b. pressure distribution
c. inertial characteristics
d. the forces on an object
The relationship between kinematics
and kinetics is described in Newton's
_____ law.
a. first
b. second
c. third
d. universal gravitation
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
8 FUNDAMENTALS
OF
BIOMECHANICS
Biomechanical vectors like the ground
reaction force on a scooter pilot are
usually resolved into horizontal and
vertical _____ to help explain the
causes of motion.
a. resultants
b. components
c. impulses
d. scalars
An object's tendency to maintain its state
of motion is Newton's _____ law.
a. first
b. second
c. third
d. gravitational
Static friction is _____ than dynamic
friction.
a. about the same
b. greater than
c. less than
d. unrelated to
The force that acts perpendicular to
the surfaces of two objects in contact
is called:
a. the reaction force
b. the normal reaction
c. friction
d. strain
An object's tendency to resist changes in
its state of motion is:
a. weight
b. inertia
c. momentum
d. potential energy
The energy of an object due to its position
in space is _____ energy.
a. strain
b. kinetic
c. impulse
d. potential
Which of the following changes will help
increase an athlete's agility?
a. decrease leg forces
b. decrease mass
c. increase weight
d. increase kinetic energy
When a force opposes the motion of an
object:
a. negative work is done
b. positive work is done
c. power is transferred to the object
d. no work is done
A bowling ball has the same _____
as it rolls down the lane or sits on
the rack.
a. inertia
b. speed
c. resultant velocity
d. horizontal acceleration
The causes of motion of biomechanical
systems can be studied by _____
diagrams.
a. kinetic
b. action
c. Newtonian
d. free body
The inertia principle in linear motion says
that changing an object's mass can be
used to:
a. influence agility
b. transfer energy
c. influence stability
d. all of the above
The mechanical variable that provides
a quantitative measure of the
Force–Time Principle is:
a. force
b. work
c. energy
d. impulse
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS 9
Peak muscular power output tends to
occur where in the range of maximal
shortening velocity and force?
a. 30–40%
b. 50–60%
c. 70–90%
d. near 100%
The segmental interaction principle
describes the transfer of _____ and
shows how the causes of motion may
be _____ the observed motion.
a. force, related to
b. force, linked to
c. torque, linked to
d. energy, distant from
Chapter 7: Angular
Kinetics
The resistance of a body to angular acceleration is its:
a. potential energy
b. mass
c. moment of inertia
d. angular momentum
The most important factors in torque production are:
a. size of the applied force
b. moment arm
c. angle of force application
d. all are equally important
A rotating body will maintain a state of
constant angular motion unless acted
upon by an unbalanced torque is the
angular analog of Newton's _____ law.
a. first
b. second
c. third
d. gravitational
Angular momentum is conserved in some
objects because:
a. the torques don't balance
b. the moment of inertia increases
c. Newton's first law
d. Newton's second law
Which of the following will tend to
decrease mobility?
a. widening the base of support
b. decreasing the mass
c. raising the center of gravity
d. eating power bars
Which action will not tend to increase the
torque you can create?
a. applying greater force
b. shortening the force arm
c. applying the force at an angle closer
to 90 degrees
d. lengthening the perpendicular distance between the axis and force
Angular momentum is:
a. defined as mass times velocity
b. defined as 1/2 mass times velocity
c. defined as the moment of inertia times
angular velocity
d. never constant
Why is it more difficult to perform a curlup when the hands are clasped behind
the head than when the arms are folded
over the chest?
a. muscle angle of pull
b. abdominal torque is reduced
c. the resistance arm is greater
d. the effort arm is smaller
The simultaneous action of serratus
anterior and upper trapezius create a:
a. depressed scapula
b. force couple
c. retracted scapula
d. downwardly rotated scapula
If the torques acting on an object sum to
zero, there is _____ equilibrium.
a. static
b. moment
c. dynamics
d. angular
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
10 FUNDAMENTALS
OF
BIOMECHANICS
Torque is an ideal variable to measure
muscular strength because it:
a. creates linear motion
b. is unrelated to mass
c. depends less on the geometry of the
body
d. factors out co-contraction
The law of statics says that the sum of the
forces or torques on an object in any
direction add up to:
a. zero
b. m C v
c. m C a
d. F C t
The resistance to angular acceleration of an
object is:
a. constant
b. variable
c. strongly related to distribution
of mass
d. independent of the axis of rotation
The correct units of angular momentum
are:
a. N C m
b. kg C m2/s
c. ft C lb
d. kg C m2
Which is not an accurate description of the
moment arm of a force?
a. the perpendicular distance from the
axis to the force
b. the effective "leverage" of a force
c. the shortest distance between the force
and axis of rotation
d. the parallel distance from the axis to
line of action of the force
The torque opposing muscles create at a
joint are _____ the gravitational torque in
an eccentric phase of an exercise.
a. the same as
b. greater than
c. less than
d. unrelated to
What is most effective in increasing angular motion:
a. increased force
b. increased moment arm
c. decreased I
d. all are equally effective
The sum of torques acting on an object will
equal:
a. 0
b. ma
c. Iα
d. a couple
In applying the balance principle there is
a _____ relationship between the stability
and mobility of a posture.
a. positive
b. negative
c. unknown
d. exponential
The units of work and energy are:
a. Watts
b. Joules
c. Newtons
d. Pascals
Chapter 8: Fluid Mechanics
The center of buoyancy of the human
body is usually _____ the center of gravity in the anatomical position.
a. superior to
b. posterior to
c. inferior to
d. lateral to
The fluid force that acts parallel to the relative flow of fluid is:
a. lift
b. the Magnus force
c. the viscous force
d. drag
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS 11
The lift force created on a swimmer's
hand:
a. allows the hand to slip backward in
the water
b. is parallel to the relative flow of
water
c. is perpendicular to the relative flow
of water
d. does not contribute to propulsion
The weight of the water displaced by placing something in the water:
a. is the magnitude of the buoyant force
b. is the force of drag
c. was recognized by Bernoulli
d. all of the above
e. both a and c
The fluid force that resists the forward
motion of a swimmer is:
a. drag
b. buoyancy
c. lift
d. Magnus force
What causes the ball to break when a
pitcher throws a slider?
a. the Archimedes force
b. form drag on the front of the ball
c. the ghost of Bernoulli
d. the spin imparted to the ball
The nature of the boundary layer of fluid
depends on:
a. the roughness of the body's surface
b. relative velocity of the fluid flow
c. both a and b
d. none of the above
The most important factor affecting fluid
forces is:
a. density
b. frontal area
c. surface roughness
d. relative velocity of the fluid
The loft of a golf club is designed to create
_____ on the ball to increase flight.
a. backspin
b. topspin
c. sidespin
d. a low trajectory
Spin on a projectile is not useful for:
a. creating lift
b. stabilizing flight
c. maximizing speed
d. altering the bounce after flight
The relative fluid flow near an object's
surface is called the:
a. free stream
b. boundary layer
c. wake
d. laminar flow
The best angle of attack for a rigid body
thrown for maximum distance
depends most on:
a. drag
b. lift
c. lift to drag ratio
d. angle of projection
Chapters 9–12: Applying
Biomechanics
The biomechanical principle that best
describes the organization of the
joint actions in the forward kicking
action is _____ and supports a
_____ sequence.
a. range of motion, distal-to-proximal
b. inertia, proximal-to-distal
c. coordination continuum, sequential
d. coordination continuum,
simultaneous
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
12 FUNDAMENTALS
OF
BIOMECHANICS
Kicking a ball through the center of
gravity tends to minimize:
a. ball speed
b. ball spin
c. energy transfer to the ball
d. the initial angle of projection
Too large a range of motion for the
forward stride in baseball batting is
undesirable because:
a. the increased base of support
decreases stability
b. the skill favors accuracy over
maximum effort
c. it increases mobility for the next
move to first base
d. it limits sequential coordination
Which of the following exercises focuses
activation of the abdominal muscles
and tends to minimize hip flexor
activation?
a. push-ups
b. leg raises
c. bent-knee sit-ups with restrained feet
d. curl-ups without restrained feet
To increase success and safety in catching
by applying the force–time principle,
a physical educator should focus
on which of the following critical
features?
a. visual focus on the ball
b. readiness
c. hand position on the ball
d. reaching forward to intercept
the ball
Optimal projection in the basketball shot
for most players is about _____ degrees
above the horizontal.
a. 10–30
b. 30–50
c. 50–60
d. greater than 60
Much of the power transferred to the ball
in overarm throwing comes from the
lower extremities because of:
a. segmental interaction
b. inertia
c. sequential coordination
d. all of the above
What biomechanical principles explain
how applying force to the soccer ball
with the foot differs in dribbling than
in kicking?
a. force–time
b. range of motion
c. spin
d. both a and b
The spin principle is maximized in a golf
shot when the divot is left in front
(toward the target) of where the ball was
lying because:
a. the ball was struck through the center
of gravity
b. the ball was struck by the top of the
club
c. the pitch of the club face was down
d. the club's downward motion thorough
the ball created more backspin
Coaches need to check for elongated follow-through in high-speed sports to
reduce the risk of injury by correctly
applying the _____ principle.
a. force–time
b. balance
c. spin
d. coordination continuum
The coordination in slower movements
like a basketball shot or passing a medicine ball favors _____ coordination.
a. sequential
b. simultaneous
c. lower extremity
d. distal-to-proximal
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS 13
The speed of most maximum muscular
strength training exercises should be
_____ because of the _____ property of
muscle.
a. fast, force–length
b. fast, force–velocity
c. slow, force–time
d. slow, force–velocity
Conditioning with lead-up drills and skills
is useful because biomechanically they
use similar:
a. range of motion
b. balance
c. coordination
d. forces
e. all of the above
What is not a technique factor a strength
coach could examine to evaluate an athlete's balance during exercises?
a. stance
b. sway over base of support
c. smoothness of motion
d. duration of the concentric phase
The female basketball player
illustrated as injuring her ACL
in landing from a rebound was
likely susceptible to injury
because of:
a. fatigue
b. balance
c. control of hip motion
d. an awkward sideward landing
e. all of the above
The use of arm motion in lower-extremity
drop jumps (plyometrics) are important
because of:
a. potential transfer of energy
b. balance
c. sport specificity
d. all of the above
Which of the following differ between the
regular squat and the "sissy squat" technique illustrated in Chapter 11?
a. base of support
b. coordination
c. range of motion
d. both a and c
Technique variations in strength and conditioning exercises can sometimes be
dangerous because:
a. body positions can be near anatomically weak positions in the range of
motion
b. tissue forces are closer to ultimate
strengths than normal movement
c. the athlete may be fatigued
d. all of the above
Applying biomechanics to understand
the structures affected by an injury
in sports medicine practice can
be used to adjust _____ in order
to treat patients.
a. exercise
b. resistance
c. equipment
d. all of the above
The technique used in multiple hops
or squats on one leg allows sports
medicine professionals to qualitatively estimate injury risk by
evaluating what biomechanical
principles?
a. balance
b. coordination
c. range of motion
d. force-time
e. all of the above
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
14 FUNDAMENTALS
OF
BIOMECHANICS
The technique difference that is least
pronounced between the parallel
squat and leg press exercises
illustrated in Chapter 12 is:
a. range of motion
b. balance
c. ankle dorsiflexion
d. hip flexion
Discuss the likely coordination differences
between a sit-to-stand, parallel squat
with 80% IRM, and a plyometric drop
jump.
What are situations in sports where inertia
is an advantage in both static and
dynamic events?
What biomechanical principles are most
important in safe energy absorption
tasks like catching and landing?
Draw free body diagrams of the feet at the
bottom of the eccentric phases of the plyometric drop jump, parallel squat, and
leg press illustrated in Chapter 12.
Which do you think requires a larger
ankle plantar flexion torque and why?
Copyright © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.