1. “Perfection is a Road, NOT a Destination”
Unit 2 - Biomechanics
“Perfection is a Road, NOT a Destination”

2. What is Biomechanics?
is the sport science field that applies the laws of mechanics and physics to human performance
Cause and effect
In relation to sport, biomechanics contributes to the description, explanation, and prediction of the mechanical aspects of human exercise, sport and play.

3. What types of Science are involved?
Biology – muscles, bones, joints
Physics – laws of motion, center of gravity, friction, projectile motion
Mathematics – angle of release, range of motion
…..alot more

4. Background Information
In order to be effective at maximizing human performance for skills, you will need to know
What the anatomical position is
What muscles perform what motion, and what bones each major muscle group moves
What each joints R.O.M. is (Range of Motion)
What certain angles of release may be
Phases of skill analysis

5. Anatomical Position – Where we would describe the body positions

6. Basic Body Directions
Anterior vs. Posterior – front or back of the neutral anatomical position
Superior vs. Inferior – up or down in relation to another part
Medial vs. Lateral – inside vs. outside of a body part or object
Left or Right – ummmm, it’s the same. But it’s always from the person’s view, not the observer.

7. Question #4 Try These
Where is the arms in relation to the midline of the body?
Where is the right foot in relation to the midline of the body?
The hands are where in relation to the shoulder joint?

8. Basic Body Movements Flexion – decrease the angle of a joint
Extension – increase the angle of a joint
Abduction – bring away from the midline
Adduction – bring close the midline
Circumduction – circular movement of a joint.
Ex. Drawing a circle with your wrist
Rotation – rotating a joint medially or laterally

9. Question #6 - Tee it up!
What movement is the left elbow joint performing?
What movement is the right shoulder performing?
What movement is the right hip performing?

10. Throwing a Dodgeball What body parts move to what directions?
Foot moves Anterior for balance
Hand and Forearm move to the Posterior in my backswing
Hand is slightly MEDIAL, to the Elbow which is LATERAL to the Hand
Arm quickly moves Anterior with Elbow leading the way
May finish with your arm in an INFERIOR position.

11. Throwing a Dodgeball
What body joints are involved in what movements throwing a dodgeball?
Back Swing
Elbow Joint Flexion
Shoulder Joint Abduction
Shoulder Joint Extension
Acceleration
Circumduction of the Shoulder
Medial Rotation of the Shoulder
Extension of the Elbow
Flexion of the Wrist

12. Balance and Stability Balance and Stability Lab – review questions.
Balance is effected by the following 3 concepts:
Base of Support
Center of Mass
Line of Gravity

13. Boys vs. Girls
Males have more muscle mass in their upper body and more density therefore they have a higher Center of Mass.
Females have a Lower Center of Mass for the opposite reason. (less mass in the upper body).

14. Experiment Task #1 – Try to stand up Task #2 – Pick up the Chair
Task #3 – Pick up the Cash!!
Summary?

15. How does this stuff apply to Sport?
Article “Making Strides Athlete Development”
What are the examples they reviewed?
Taylor Hall?
Swimmers?
Wrestlers?

16. Balance/Stability Video Analysis
Discuss the Importance of Video Analysis in Sport and Coaching
Advantages?

17. Biomechanical Drawings
Stick figure representations of movement. SKELETON REFERENCE!
Help to simplify movement of the body’s mechanics and the placement of proper position and errors.
Phases for stick figures should be at least in the following phases: Prepartory/Preliminary, Backswing, Acceleration and Contact Points, Follow Through

19. See Examples
Sample Video
Zygote Body
Here’s what they look like.

20. Example #1

21. Example #2
Phases of Running

22. Handstand
See video

23. Remember the Phases of Skills
Preliminary Phase – lead up, starting postion
Backswing/Recovery Phase – getting the body into initial motion, backswings, getting ready to produce force
Force Producing Movements – the movements involved to produce the force needed for impact or propulsion.
Critical Instant – The moment of release or contact.
Follow Through – the movements that occur after contact or release

24. Cartwheel or Handstand
See tutorial Cartwheel Tutorial With your partners, go back again and execute a cartwheel…….using video from the side, front and back.

25. Human Levers
In biomechanics, the bones function to facilitate movement, and are to help with the human levers.
All levers have three things
Fulcrum – point at the which the lever rotates
Load – Force added to the system
Effort – Force applied by the user to the system.
Eg Basic Bicep Curl with 20 lbs.