Biomechanics Key Words

Biomechanics

the study of human movement including the interaction between the participant and equipment

Motion

the process of changing position or place of a body in space

Linear Motion

where movement is along a straight line, there is no rotation and all body parts move in the same direction at the same speed.

Angular Motion

Where all parts of the body move through a rotational pathway, through the same angle, in the same direction at the same time

Distance

How far you travelled from your start to your finish position

Displacement

Measures the overall change in position of a person, measured in magnitude and direction

Speed

Measures the distance an object travels per unit of time

Velocity

Speed in a given direction

Acceleration

Rate at which velocity of a body changes with respect to time

Newtons 1st Law

An object at rest or in motion will remain at rest or in motion unless acted upon by a force

Inertia

To do nothing or remain unchanged

Newtons 2nd Law

F=Ma The acceleration of a body is proportional to the force applied to it and inversely proportional to the mass of the object

Force

the action of a pull or a push from one object to another

Momentum

the product of an object's mass and its velocity, or more simply, mass in motion

Impulse

I = F x T the change in momentum of an object, or the product of force and the time interval over which that force is applied

Newtons 3rd Law

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

Balance

the ability to maintain a stable body position and control movement, whether standing still (static balance) or moving (dynamic balance)

Base of Support

the area beneath an object or person that includes every point of contact that the object or person makes with the supporting surface

Centre of Gravity

a hypothetical point around which the force of gravity appears to act

Line of Gravity

a vertical line from the centre of gravity to the ground/surface the athlete is on

Mass

the measure of the amount of matter in a body

Projectile Motion

The curved path a projectile is a propelled into the air or water and affected only by the forces of gravity and air resistance

Trajectory

The path an object follows as it moves through space (path of a projectile)

Angle of Release

the angle at which a projectile (like a ball, javelin, or shot put) is launched relative to the horizontal The greater the height of release of a projectile, the greater the horizontal distance it will cover

Height of Release

the vertical distance between the point where a projectile is released and the ground or the point of landing The greater the height of release of a projectile, the greater the horizontal distance it will cover

Speed/Velocity of Release

Increased speed/velocity = increased distance the projectile will cover crucial for analyzing projectile motion in various sports