Biomechanics

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the biomechanics lecture notes, providing definitions and explanations for key terms.

Biomechanics

The study of motion and the effects of forces relative to the body.

Linear Motion

Movement along a straight line where all body parts move in the same direction at the same speed.

Angular Motion

Rotational movement where all body parts move through the same angle at the same time.

General Motion

A combination of linear and angular motion.

Curvilinear motion

Is where movement is linear but the object moves through a curved trajectory to reach its target

Centre of Gravity (COG)

The theoretical point that is either inside or outside of your body where all of your body’s mass is equally distributed

Static Balance

The ability to maintain a stationary position.

Dynamic Balance

The ability to maintain a moving position while executing an outcome.

Newton's First Law

An object remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.

Newton's Second Law

The acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force acting upon it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Newtons Third Law

Is the the law of for every action theres a reaction with force coming in pairs

Momentum

A measure of the quantity of motion an object possesses, defined as the product of mass and velocity.

Impulse

The change in momentum of an object when a force is applied over a period of time.

Projectile Motion

The motion of an object thrown or projected into the air, influenced by gravity and air resistance.

Angle of Release

The angle at which an object is projected into the air, affecting its trajectory.

Speed of Release

The initial speed at which a projectile is launched, influencing how far it will travel.

Base of Support

The area bound by the outermost regions of contact between a body and its supporting surface.

Line of Gravity

An imaginary vertical line from the center of gravity to the ground.

Force

Any interaction that causes an object to change its velocity.

Contact forces

Act on objects that come into direct contact with one another such as frictional forces

Non-contact forces

These forces that act on objects without coming into direct contact with each other like gravity

What is the fulcrum in levers

The fixed pivotal point on which a lever rests and pivots in order to move the load like your knee

What is the effort arm

The part of the lever that the effort force is applied to

What is the resistance arm

Is the distance between the pivot point and the point where the load is applied on a lever

What are first class levers

Where the fulcrum (pivot point) is positioned in between the load and the effect

What are second class levers

Where the load is in the middle in between the effort and the fulcrum

What are third class levers

The effort is in the middle in between the load and fulcrum

What is distance

Is the length of space between two points

What is displacement

Is the objects overall change in position only measuring from the starting point to the finish point

What is speed

Is the distance travelled per unit time

How is speed measured

metres per second (m/s) (km/hr)

What is velocity

Is the rate at which an object changes position (how quickly an objects displacement changes)

How is displacement measured

Displacement/ time

What is trajectory

The path a projectile follows in its passage through the air

What is horizontal motion

Is the movement of an object in a straight line parallel to the ground eg. kicking a soccer ball

What is vertical motion

Is the gravity’s effect on a object that has been vertically dropped launched or thrown

What is horizontal component

Affected by air resistance and relates specifically to the horizontal distance covered by a projectile

What is the vertical component

Affected by gravity and relates specifically to the height reached by the projectile

What is the angle of a release

The direction—measured in degrees relative to the horizontal plane—at which a projectile is launched, thrown, or released into the air

What is the height of a release

The greater the height of release of a projectile the greater the horizontal distance it will cover provided all other factors are equal

Speed of release

The greater the speed or velocity of release the greater the distance a projectile will carry

What is balance

The ability to neutralise forces that disturb equilibrium

What is static balance

The ability to hold a stationary position

What is dynamic balance

The ability to hold a moving position to execute an outcome

What is centre of gravity

The theoretical location either inside or outside of the body where all if the body’s mass is equally distributed

What is line of gravity

Is an imaginary vertical line passing downwards through the centre of gravity to the ground or surface the person is on

What is base of support

Area bound by the outermost regions of contact between a body and supporting surface