Sports Biomechanics

Singapore University of Social Sciences

Sports Biomechanics (BSE215)

Synopsis

Sports Biomechanics is the study of human movement in sports using the application of mechanics to improve performance or to prevent injury. Mechanics is an area of science concerned with motion of a body and action force of a body. This course basically divided into three parts. The first part focuses on examining the motion of a body. The second part will look into how the action of force on the body. Finally this course also illustrates how biomechanical analyses of sports and exercise are conducted. The findings of such analyses are also discussed to evaluate if performance can be improved or injury can be prevented.

Level: 2
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN

Topics

Kinematic concepts for analysing movement - Forms of motion (linear, angular, etc.), anatomical reference and joint movement terminology
Kinetic concepts for analysing movement
Analyses of movement - Two-dimensional and three-dimensional motion
Action of forces in motion - linear kinetic
Action of forces in motion - angular kinetic
Action of forces in motion - fluid mechanics
Equilibrium and movement (equilibrium, centre of gravity, stability, balance, etc.)
Kinetics effects on movement and injury risks (calculation of mass centre, ground reaction forces for walking, running, jumping, etc.)
Biomechanical analysis of gait patterns - walking
Biomechanical analysis of gait patterns - running
Biomechanical analysis of sport movements - jumping
Biomechanical analysis of sport movements - throwing

Learning Outcome

Explain Newton's three laws of motion, gravity, projectile motion, and its applications in sports.
Discuss statics, dynamics, kinematics and kinetics, and how they are related in the field of sport biomechanics.
Determine the factors of fluid mechanics; buoyancy and drag, and their importance in movement of a body in a medium (e.g., water as in swimming).
Apply biomechanical principles in the analysis of movement techniques to facilitate the learning and/or performance of motor skills.
Demonstrate competence in a variety of skills needed in performing biomechanical analyses.
Illustrate the uses of available instrumentation for measuring kinematics quantities.