Kinesiology

What is Biomechanics/Kinesiology? Study of human movement from the point of view of the physical sciences.

What it is NOT “Applied kinesiology” or alternative medicine. It DOES apply a scientific based medical principles towards the analysis, preservation and enhancement of human movement in all settings and populations.

Why study? To improve performance by learning how to analyze the movements of the human body and to discover the underlying principles.

Purposes (Reasons for study) Help practitioners with their students or clients. To perform with optimum safety, effectiveness, and efficiency. Physical education teachers, physical therapists, sports trainers, OSHA, etc..

Methods of Study (Book study and Lab experimentation) Experiments performed under controlled conditions Practice in analysis under the conditions that exist every day in the gym or clinic Observation, diagnosis, and treatment of faulty motor performance Qualitative vs. Quantitative

Components of Kinesiological Analysis Teaching of motor skills – presenting a skill and know what points to emphasize Also consists of diagnosing difficulties, correcting errors, and eliminating actions that limit performance. Kinesiological Analysis – Effectiveness of a motor skill Describing Evaluating – Anatomical and Mechanical Prescribing

Description of the Motor Skill Primary purpose of the skill Why is the movement being performed? Movement phases When should the motion analysis begin? When does it end?

Description of the Motor Skill Classification of the motor skill – Anatomical and mechanical requirements of a particular group of skills maintaining erect posture movement for exercise and fitness giving motion receiving impact

Simultaneous - Sequential nature of the motion Simultaneous various segments move as one – pushing, pulling, or lifting objects All movement is directed along a straight line When accuracy is important Sequential use of segments in an orderly sequence maximum speed, throwing and striking movements, and the final segment moves along a curved path. Ex: Preparatory phase, execution, flight, landing. Description of the motor skill

Anatomical Analysis Examination of the skeletal joint action A description of segment motion An account of the muscle participation An identification of the neuromuscular mechanisms involved

Anatomical Analysis Analysis of the process – NOT the product

Anatomical Analysis Questions Which joints are involved and what are their exact movements in the motor skill? Any joints used to limit the ROM? Which muscles are responsible for the joint actions? Which neuromuscular mechanisms are likely to help or hinder the actions?

Mechanical Analysis (Physics) Identification of the laws and principles that help explain the most appropriate form for the execution of the activity and identify the mechanical reasons for success or failure.

Mechanical Analysis (Physics) Underlying mechanics objective – Purpose or objective of the motion Balance, Locomotion, Projection, Manipulation, Maximum effort

Mechanical Analysis (Physics) Nature of the forces causing or impeding motion What motion is performed and the forces that are acting to cause, modify, or prevent that motion

Mechanical Analysis (Physics) Mechanical principles Speed of the movement Forces involved in the movement Balance Direction Timing Presence of air or water. Purpose is to locate potential sources of error.

Mechanical Analysis (Physics) Violation of mechanical principles – Sources of error

Prescription for Improvement of Performance The analyst must decide on the appropriate strategy for effecting change in the performance so that it conforms to the anatomical and mechanical ideal.