Chapter 9

Keyterms

Lab

View or print the lab as a PDF.

Study Questions

  1. Explain the focus of developmental biomechanics.
  2. The safety and mechanical efficiency of tools would most likely be evaluated by which type of biomechanist?
  3. List and describe some optical recording devices.
  4. Define biomechanics.
  5. Is biomechanics a discipline? Explain.
  6. Why do we need to study movement using an interdisciplinary approach?
  7. What is the difference between biomechanics and kinesiology?
  8. Define kinetics, kinematics, dynamics, and statics.
  9. Identify the major areas of research in biomechanics.
  10. Give five examples of biomechanical applications.
  11. What is a force platform?
  12. Name five journals where biomechanists publish their research.

Learning Activities

  1. Go to either the International Society of Biomechanics in Sport website (www.isbs.org) or the Canadian Society of Biomechanics website (www.csb-scb.com). Write a brief description of the website’s contents.
  2. Find two different professional journals that publish articles related to biomechanics. Retrieve one article from each. In your own words, write an abstract for each article.
  3. Explore (using the Internet and/or written sources) the job market for biomechanics, and write a brief report on one potential career opportunity.

Suggested Readings

Adrian, M. J., & Cooper, J. M. (1995). Biomechanics of human movement (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Alexander, R. M. (1992). The human machine. New York: Columbia University Press.
Chaffin, D. B., Andersson, G. B. J., & Martin, B. J. (1999). Occupational biomechanics (3rd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Hall, S. J. (2006). Basic biomechanics (4th ed.). New York: WCB/McGraw-Hill.
Hamill, J., & Knutzen, K. M. (2006). Biomechanical basis of human movement (2nd ed.). Media, PA: Williams & Wilkins.
McGinnis, P. M. (2004). Biomechanics of sport and exercise (2nd ed.).Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Nordin, M., & Frankel, V. H. (2012). Basic biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Stergiou, N. (2004). Innovative analyses of human movement. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Websites