1. BIOMECHANICS
Biomechanics is the study of the internal and external forces which act on the body, and the effects produced by those forces.

3. Biomechanics is a very useful science in the study of human performance especially in the area of perfecting technique.
Biomechanics forces may be either
a) static – which is concerned with bodies at rest, or
b) dynamic – which is concerned with forces producing movement

4. MOTION
TRANSLATORY – this is when all parts of the body follow parallel lines. There are two types:
Linear – all parts of the body move in straight parallel lines
Curvilinear – all parts of the body move in curved parallel lines.
ANGULAR, or ROTARY – This when a body moves about an axis. There are two types:
Internal Axis – the axis is within the body
External Axis – the whole body travels around an axis that is outside the body

5. GENERAL MOTION
Most motion is in fact a combination of both angular and linear and we describe this as GENERAL motion.
For example a cyclist has angular motion with the wheels, the pedals, and his limbs, but the bike frame and his trunk experiences linear motion.

6. PROJECTILE MOTION What is a projectile?
Any body released into the air is a projectile. This means that once it is in the air it has no extra propulsion. A body can be released into the air by either –
Throwing – eg. Discus,
Striking – eg. tennis
Projecting the body itself – eg. High jump

7. The TRAJECTORY (path of a projectile) is influenced by two sets of factors
Propelling factors (ie factors at its release)
Speed of release
Height of release
Angle of release
Factors in the air
Gravity
Air resistance
Spin
Aerodynamics

8. Effects of Air Resistance and Aerodynamics
A - No air Resistance
B – Air resistance

9. We can draw some conclusions
We can draw some conclusions
Speed of release - The greater the speed of release, the greater the horizontal distance
Height of release – the greater the height of release, the greater the horizontal distance
Angle of release – There is an optimum angle of release for each object, but that will depend on a number of factors including aerodynamics of the object and height of release eg. In Volleyball, what advantage is there in a jump serve?

10. What happens when we have different angle of release?

11. Angle of release look at the requirements for different activities
Activity
Tennis Serve
Volleyball float serve
Long jump
Discus
High jump
Standing back somersault
Angle (degrees)
-3 to 15
13 to 20
17 to 22
35 to 39
40 to 50 75

12. What are the different objectives for our projectiles
What are the different objectives for our projectiles? And, what do we need to do to maximise our chances of success?
Height eg high jump, pole vault
Maximum possible speed of release
Maximum possible angle of release
Distance eg discus, long jump
Correct angle of release for activity
Application of spin in some cases
Speed eg rugby pass
Lowest possible angle of release
Accuracy eg archery, netball

13. LEVERS

14. Biomechanics and Levers
A lever is a mechanism made up of a lever arm (with 2 forces acting on it) and a pivot point. It has three parts
The Fulcrum or Pivot point - The point about which the lever works
Load or Resistance - The force being overcome by the lever system
Effort or Force - The force being applied to overcome the load
There are three classes of levers -
1. First class - See-saw and Crowbar
2. Second class - Wheelbarrow
3. Third class - The boom of a crane

15. 1st Class Lever
The fulcrum lies between the effort and the load

16. 2nd Class Levers
The fulcrum lies at one end of the lever arm with the Effort being applied at the other end

17. 3rd Class Lever
The fulcrum lies at one end of the lever arm with the effort being applied between it and the load

18. 3 classes of levers

19. INERTIA Inertia is a bodies resistance to change in motion.
Inertia is described in Newton’s First Law
“A body continues in it’s state of motion or rest unless acted on by a force”
Inertia is related to mass well as shape and friction

20. Inertia in Action
Inertia is easily observed if you think about being in a vehicle. When it brakes hard, you are thrown forward. This is because you have your own moving inertia. When the vehicle alters its own inertia you still continue with yours until a force works on you

22. NEWTON’S THIRD LAW
Newton’s 3rd law relates to Action / Reaction
“For each and every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”

23. FORCE SUMMATION
The velocity of a projectile depends on the speed of the last part of the body at the time of contact or release

24. FORCE SUMMATION
If you wish to achieve maximum velocity, it is important that each body part is used in the correct sequence.
You use the strongest, heaviest muscles first, before using the smaller, faster muscles last.
This overcomes inertia

25. TIMING The timing of the application of the forces is vital
A body part should begin to move when the previous body part is exerting maximum force / speed
Eg. In a well-timed Volleyball spike; the forearm begins to extend at the elbow just as the upper arm begins to deccelerate