INTRODUCTION TO BIOMECHANICS

FORCE

Week 6

Key Content

What is biomechanics? Performance analysis Equipment Benefits of biomechanics Force production Types of force Force summation

What is Biomechanics?

The study of how the physical laws of mechanics and physics apply to the ________ ________

Why?Improve ___________How injuries occurInjury ___________ and rehabilitationDesign and development of

___________

Performance Analysis

Evaluating quality of performance and developing better practices

Quantitative (main method) and qualitative

Permanent record (eg: video) Systematic observation of

performance Analysis of selected aspects

Equipment

Technologically driven Huge advances in recent years Read through information on page 51

Benefits of Biomechanics

Jot down some of benefits from page 51

Force Production

Force is any ___________ or ___________ activity that tends to alter the state of motion of a body

The body could be a human body, ball, discus, javelin, racquet, bat, etc

The force can get the body to: Move Speed it up Slow it down Stop Change direction

Types of Forces

Force without motion – isometric force Force with motion – isotonic force Sub-maximal force Maximal force

Force without Motion

Isometric force Isometric contraction Muscle length does not ___________

Eg: pushing against a wall, gripping a cricket bat

Force with Motion

Isotonic force Isotonic contraction Muscle length ___________ Changes the state of motion of the

object (body)Eg: shot put, taking a catch in cricket,

diving into a pool

Sub-maximal Force

Force needs to be at an optimal level for successful performance

Sometimes we want less than maximum forceEg: tennis drop shot, chip in golf,

basketball lay-up

Maximal Force

Some activities require maximal force for a higher chance of success

This usually happens through combination of a number of forces – force summationEg: high jump, javelin, throw from the

outfield in softball

Force Summation

Combination of forces to produce a maximal force

2 typesSimultaneously: explosive action of all

body parts occurs at the same time• Eg: high jump take-off, vertical jump for

rebound in basketball

Sequentially: body parts are moved in sequence to generate a great force

• Eg: throwing, striking, kicking

Simultaneously…sequentially

Sequential Force Summation

What are the 4 parts to a sequential force summation technique (page 54)

Write down (or draw) the steps in force summation for a throw from the outfield in softball

Homework Task

Answer the following questions1. Pick one benefit of biomechanics for a

sport of your choice and discuss in detail

2. For the same sport analyse and discuss in detail one form of equipment that has used biomechanics

3. Describe the sequence of body parts in the force summation for a tennis serve