1. PED 246: Methods and Techniques of Dance and Gymnastics Chapter 2 Biomechanics

2. Center of Gravity  That point at which stability may occur  Weight is in the center of the body  The closer the center of gravity is to  Base – more support  Radius of rotation – faster the movement

3. Base of support  Body part or parts that support the body weight and the space between those body parts  Feet when standing  Arms in handstand  Butt when sitting

4. Motion  an observable change in position of the entire body or its parts  Sustained  Percussive  Translatory  Rotatory  Curvilinear

5. Sustained Motion  Slow movement  Stretches

6. Percussive Motion  Quick or rapid movement  Kick or punch

7. Translatory Motion  Movement through a continuing plane  Ski jumper  Sitting in moving car

8. Rotatory Motion  Movement about or around a central point  Spin on parallel bars  Longitudinal axis (right and left)  Transverse axis (top and bottom)  Sagittal axis (Front and back)

9. Curvilinear Motion  Movement as a whole in a circular path  Somersault while in straight position

10. Axis  A line through the center of gravity around which rotation occurs

11. Force  An influence that produces or tends to produce motion or a change of motion  Muscular  Frictional  Gravitational

12. Friction  The resistance of one surface to that of another  Contact with another surface slows down the movement

13. Gravity  The force of attraction that tends to pull bodies or weight downward toward the Earth’s center  Always downwards

14. Newton's Laws of motion  General principles governing the movement of objects through space  Inertia  Acceleration  Action - Reaction

15. Inertia  Properties remaining at rest or in motion unless acted upon by an outside force.  Push to start  Friction to stop

16. Acceleration  Resulting change in speed is directly proportional to the force producing it and inversely proportional to the mass  The tighter the tuck, the faster the spin.

17. Action - Reaction  For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction  Curling stones hit  Transfer of motion from one to another