WHAT IS BIOMECHANICS

WHAT IS BIOMECHANICS?
Biomechanics has been defined as the study
of the movement of living things using the science
of mechanics . Mechanics is
a branch of physics that is concerned with
the description of motion and how forces
create motion. Forces acting on living
things can create motion, be a healthy stimulus
for growth and development, or overload
tissues, causing injury. Biomechanics
provides conceptual and mathematical
tools that are necessary for understanding
how living things move and how kinesiology
professionals might improve movement
or make movement safer.

WHY STUDY BIOMECHANICS?
Scientists from many different areas (e.g.,
kinesiology, engineering, physics, biology,
zoology) are interested in biomechanics.
Why are scholars from so many different
academic backgrounds interested in animal
movement? Biomechanics is interesting because
many people marvel at the ability
and beauty in animal movement. Some
scholars have purely theoretical or academic
interests in discovering the laws
and principles that govern animal movement.
Within kinesiology, many biomechanists
have been interested in the application
of biomechanics to sport and exercise.


Improving Performance
Human movement performance can be enhanced
many ways. Effective movement
involves anatomical factors, neuromuscular
skills, physiological capacities, and psychological
cognitive abilities. Most kinesiology
professionals prescribe technique
changes and give instructions that allow a
person to improve performance. Biomechanics
is most useful in improving performance
in sports or activities where technique
is the dominant factor rather than
physical structure or physiological capacity.


Preventing and Treating Injury
Movement safety, or injury prevention
treatment, is another primary area where
biomechanics can be applied. Sports medicine
professionals have traditionally studied
injury data to try to determine the
potential causes of disease or injury (epidemiology).
Biomechanical research is a
powerful ally in the sports medicine quest
to prevent and treat injury. Biomechanical
studies help prevent injuries by providing
information on the mechanical properties
of tissues, mechanical loadings during
movement, and preventative or rehabilitative
therapies. Biomechanical studies provide
important data to confirm potential injury
mechanisms hypothesized by sports
medicine physicians and epidemiological
studies. The increased participation of girls
and women in sports has made it clear that
females are at a higher risk for anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) injuries than males
due to several biomechanical factors . Continued
biomechanical and sports medicine studies
may help unravel the mystery of this high
risk and develop prevention strategies.


References:

Fundamentals of BIOMECHANICS
author : Duane Knudson ( 2nd edition)