Biomechanical Principles & Motion Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to biomechanical principles and motion discussed in the lecture notes.

Biomechanics

The science that examines forces acting on and within the human body and the effects of those forces, aimed at improving movement efficiency in sport.

Kinematics

The branch of biomechanics that describes motion (position, velocity, acceleration) without considering the forces that cause it.

Kinetics

The branch of biomechanics that studies the forces that initiate, stop, or alter motion.

Linear Motion

Movement of a body or object along a straight line, where all parts move the same distance in the same direction.

Velocity

The rate of positional change in a specific direction; calculated as displacement divided by time (V = D ⁄ T).

Displacement

The straight-line change in position from a starting point to an endpoint, including direction.

Distance

The total length of the path travelled between two points, regardless of direction.

Speed

The rate at which an object covers distance along its path; calculated as distance divided by time (S = d ⁄ T).

Acceleration

The rate at which velocity changes over time, either increasing or decreasing.

Momentum

The quantity of motion an object has, equal to the product of its mass and velocity (p = m × v).