Biomechanics Study Guide
Kinesiology- Study of motion
Biomechanics- Study of living machines
Anthropometrics- the science of measuring the human body as to height, weight, and size of component
parts, to study and compare the relative proportions under normal and abnormal condition; the study of
the body’s size and form
Includes measurements of height, weight, circumferences, skinfold, girths and diameters
Rigid Body Mechanics- science concerned with effects of forces acting on a system (body)
1. Statics- at rest, constant velocity
2. Dynamics- changing motion (acceleration)
Kinematics- description of motion
-how far did she run, how long to run that far, how fast was she, how big is she?
Kinetics- study of the forces that cause or tend to cause a change in motion
-what friction under her feet, what forces on her joint, what tension in her muscle?
Quantitative Analysis—mainly a clinical research perspective
Measure and calculate #’s associated with a performance
Ex. Timing a 100 meter sprint
Qualitative Analysis—most teachers/coaches need this ability
Observe performance and look at the quality
-One problem is trouble telling why mistake is being made by just observation
Length- measure to describe location at a particular point in her run, how far she ran
English system- feet, inches, miles
International System (SI)- 1m = 3.28feet = 39 inches
Time- measure to describe how long it takes her
Seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years
SI- seconds (s)
4 Phases of Performance
1. Ritual
2. Preparation
3. Execution of the skill
4. Recovery
