Research in Biomechanics at KSU
by Larry Noble, Specializing in Biomechanics of Exercise and Sport
•Courses I teach
•Laboratory capabilities
•Examples of master’s theses done in our
biomechanics lab
•Brief review of recent study on bat design
•Ongoing research in our biomechanics lab
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Courses I Teach
PKIN 330 Biomechanics
PKIN 630 Design and Analysis of Exercise and
Sport Equipment
PKIN 718 Videographic and Cinematographic
Analysis of Human Motion
PKIN 825 Mechanical Analysis of Human
Movement
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Kin 825 Course Topics
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Definition and scope of biomechanics
Kinetics review
Anthropometry, Total Body COM
Observing and Analyzing Human movement
Gait Analysis
Methods and tools for biomechanical analysis
Force Platform Demo
Biomechanics of sport
Biomechanics of exercise
Injury Prevention
Electromyography
EMG demonstration lab
Biomechanics of bone
Ergonomics
Aging
Journal article presentations
Journal article & term paper presentations
Term paper presentations
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Biomechanics Laboratory Capabilities
PCinematographic equipment (up to 500 fps)
Cameras, tripods, lights, marking supplies
Analysis equipment and software
PVideographic equipment
Digital video cameras (up to 240 fps)
SVHS cameras, VCRs, lights, marking supplies
Equipment and software for 3D analysis
PElectromyography equipment
APAS 4-channel unit with preamplifies
PLoad measurement equipment
AMTI force platform, load cells, load beams, accelerometers
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Examples of Theses From Our Lab
PSpragg, Carolyn A. (1986) A comparison of selected mechanical factors
in male baseball and female fast pitch softball batting.
PHarris, Chad. (1987) Kinematic analysis of the tying phase of calf
roping.
PYu, Bing. (1988) Determination of the appropriate cutoff frequency in
the digital filter data smoothing procedure.
PRinger, Geoffrey W. (1992) The effects of exterior loading on selected
mechanical and vibrational characteristics of tennis rackets.
PPonte, J.M. (1993) A comparison of load characteristics associated with
pogo stick bounding and jumping rope.
PAllen, G. Christy L. (1994) The effect of preventative drills on stability
of the knee in female basketball players.
PRoberts, Richard. (1996) The Effects of Hip Flexion on Lumbar
Hyperextension and Iemg of Hip Flexors During the Bench Press.
PHarper, Denise. (1997) Ground Reaction Force Patterns at Different
Velocities using Running Shoes and Combat Boots
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Theses (cont=d)
•Dudley, Chris. A mechanical analysis of the running step technique in
volleyball. (1998)
•Mendoza, Jennifer. The back handspring on the balance beam: a
kinematic comparison of two techniques.(1998)
•Benson, Tim. The effect of mound height on pitching kinematics.(1999)
•Stroede, Claire. The effect of tennis racket string vibration dampers on
racket handle vibrations and discomfort following impacts. (1999)
•Hildenbrand, Kasee. Abdominal muscle activity while performing trunk
flexion exercises using the Abroller, Abslide, Fit-ball, and conventionally
performed trunk curls. (2001)
•Harms, Nolan. The Relative Effects of Warmup using Bats of Varying
Weights on Bat Velocity and Segmental Movements. (2003)
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Focus of recent bat research – to evaluate
efficacy of new bat design features
• Aluminum bats first appeared
around 1970
• Since 1980 materials with
higher strength/mass ratios
have emerged
• The plethora of recent
innovations are causing concern
by softball & baseball governing
bodies & are confusing
consumers
• How do we evaluate these
innovations (or gimmicks)?
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Bat Flexibility Field Test
• First, a controlled blind field test involving 6 different bat
flexibilities with 32 elite softball players was funded by a bat
manufacturer
• Results indicated that these hyper-flexible bats resulted in greater
post-impact velocity and were
preferred by elite slow-pitch
hitters over stiffer bats (Noble,
Tech Rep to Easton Aluminum
1998)
• An examination of bat bending
characteristics during the swing
followed this study (Noble,
Proc ISBS 2001)
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Does the “springboard”effect,
or diving board mode, exist?
Kansas State University
Is it possible for hitters to
take advantage of it?
Biomechanics Lab
Procedures
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Procedures
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Results - Waveform Characteristics
in Horizontal Direction
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Bat Vibrations During Swing & Impact
4
Peak 41 ms PC
Begin Swing
233ms PC
3
Horiz Pk 38 ms PC
Strain (v)
2
1
0
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
-1
-2
-3
-4
Time (s)
Kansas State University
Horiz Dir
Vert Dir
Magnitude
Horiz Dir
Vert Dir
Magnitude
Biomechanics Lab
0.7
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Begin swing 183 ms PC
Peak bending and peak
torque ~ 50 ms PC
Impact – bat still bent
back approx 20% of max
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Bat Vibrations During Swing and
Impact: Conclusions
• During the swing, the bat bends back and stores elastic
energy that is released during impact
• Thus, a more flexible bat would appear to be more effective
if the ball impacts at the sweet spot
• During impact, the bat behaves as a free-free body
• A stiffer bat would appear to be more effective if the ball
does not impact at the sweet spot.
• Perhaps a stiff bat is better for baseball and fast-pitch
softball and a flexible bat is better for slow-pitch softball
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Ongoing Research
• Brett Linbgo – working on prooposal to
examine resistive exercise methods using
videography and electromyography
• Brian Gehlen – working on proposal to
examine squat technique
• Lab – proposal to evaluate the performance
properties and perceptions of use of
laminated wood flooring.
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab
Questions?
Kansas State University
Biomechanics Lab