|
|
|
| What
is Biomechanics?
The word 'biomechanics' is derived from
the Greek bios meaning life and mekhaniki meaning mechanics,
so that biomechanics may said to be the study of the mechanics
of life forms. The extent of this subject area is evident
in research of plants, insects, reptiles, dinosaurs, birds,
fish, whales, elephants, kangaroos.....and humans. In the
biomechanics of humans, topics range from the mechanics
of bone, tooth, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, skin,
prostheses, blood flow, air flow, eye movement, joint
movement to whole body movement. In human movement biomechanics,
topics include injury, clinical assessment, rehabilitation,
ergonomics and sport.
Sports biomechanics uses the scientific
methods of mechanics to study the effects of various forces
on the sports performer. It is concerned, in particular,
with the forces that act on the human neuromusculoskeletal
system, velocities, accelerations, torque, momentum, and
inertia. It also considers aspects of the behavior of
sports implements, footwear and surfaces where these affect
athletic performance or injury prevention. Sports biomechanics
can be divided up into two sections: |
 |
Performance Improvement & Injury Prevention
With the help of Quintic,
we aim to provide answers to performance related topics such as:
- What is the best run-up for a high
jumper?
- How should they knee angle be modified
for the delivery stride of a fast bowler in cricket?
- What is the velocity of the swimmer
after the tumble turn?
These questions are of the form: What
is done? How is it done? Why does it work? The answers
to What? How? and Why? are important to the athlete, coach
and scientist, respectively...
|
"Biomechanics
is the science concerned with the
internal and external forces acting on a human body
and the effects of these forces..." |
|
Example of Quintic
Biomechanics in Rowing:
From video footage of rowing tank training,
the Quintic software enabled techniques
of different rowers to be analysed and compared. Further to
that, the Quintic Biomechanics
enabled the velocity of the oar handle to be monitored and compared
for the different rowers.
The figure above shows a Quintic
trace of the oar handle through two strokes. The analysis program
calculates velocities and accelerations along this line which
can be directly analysed. The velocity and acceleration data
displayed in the analysis program can be exported into a spread
sheet. This allows a more detailed and specific analysis to
be conducted.
The figure below shows an example
of this. Two velocity traces of two different rowers, working
at different stroke rates are compared below. The velocity traces
are shifted in time so that the beginning and end of each stroke
coincides. This enabled the direct comparison of velocity and
acceleration. The velocity graphs below, generated from the
Quintic Analysis program, show
the higher speeds generated by Sarah in the driving phase of
the stroke, and the significant difference in the velocities
in the return phase.
For further information regarding Sports
Biomechanics please contact: info@quintic.com
|
