Biomechanics

Movement Precision

Is related to the precision of the movement and the size of the muscles used

Gross Motor Skills

Involves the recruitment of large muscle groups

Fine Motor Skills

Involves the recruitment of small muscle groups

Discrete Motor Skills

Have an obvious beginning and end

Serial Motor Skills

Are several discrete skills performed in a sequence

Continuous Motor Skills

Have no definite beginning or end point

Predictability of the Environment

Related to the external factors such as the weather, playing surface and opposition

Closed Motor Skills

Skills where the performer has the greatest control over the performance environment

Open Motor Skills

Skills performed in a less predictable environment, conditions are constantly changing and performer has limited control over their environment

Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS)

Foundation skills that provide the basis for the development of more sport specific movements

Stability Skills

Involving balance and control of the body

Locomotor Skills

Enable us to move through space

Manipulative Skills

Involving the control of objects

Biomechanics

The science that studies living things from a mechanical perspective

Quantitative Analysis

Based on measurement of kinetic (force) and kinematic variables (distance, speed, acceleration)

Qualitative Analysis

Involves a description of the movement performed

Force

Is defined as a push or pull

Force Equation

Mass (kg) x acceleration (m/s2)

Types of Forces

Include friction, air and water resistance (drag force), and gravitational force

Friction

Occurs when two surfaces come in contact with each other and opposes the motion of an object

Static Friction

Maximum amount of friction that can be generated between 2 non-moving surfaces

Drag Force

Is when an object or body moves through air or water

Drag Forces

Oppose the direction of motion of the object, slowing it down

Factors affecting Drag Forces

Air density, cross-sectional area of the body, speed the object is travelling (increase speed = increasing drag)

Max Speed Techniques

Athletes change body position/technique and clothing

Gravitational Force

The force of attraction between two bodies or objects

Gravitational Acceleration

On Earth, the gravitational force causes objects to fall down at 9.8m/s²

Mass

Measures the amount of matter an object is made out of in kg

Weight

A force that is exerted on the body by gravity and is measured in newtons

Weight Formula

Weight = Mass x Gravity

Inertia

A property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line, unless that state is changed by an external force

Factors Impacting Inertia

Inertia is impacted by force, friction, drag force, and gravity

Momentum Formula

Momentum = Mass x Velocity

Momentum Definition

A measure of the amount of motion an object has and its resistance to changing that motion, measured in kg m/s

Zero Momentum

An object that is not moving has zero momentum

Momentum Comparison

If two objects have the same mass but different velocities, the object with the greater velocity will have greater momentum

Mass and Momentum

If two objects have the same velocities but different masses, the object with the greatest mass will have the greatest momentum

Impulse

The change in momentum of an object

Impulse Factors

The greater the force and greater the time, the greater the impulse

Impulse Formula

Impulse = Force x Time

Newton's First Law

Law of Inertia: A body will remain at rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force

Newton's Second Law

Law of acceleration: A force applied to an object will produce a change in motion in the direction of the applied force that is directly proportional to the size of the force

Newton's Second Law Formula

Force = Mass x Acceleration

Newton's Third Law

Law of action-reaction: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction

Types of Motion

Linear, Angular, and Projectile

Linear Motion

Movement of a body along a straight or curved path, where all body parts move in the same direction at the same speed

Angular Motion

Rotation around a central axis or fixed point

Projectile Motion

An object that is launched into the air and affected only by the forces of gravity and air resistance

Distance

Measures the path travelled from start to finish regardless of direction

Displacement

Defined as a change of position, that is how far it is from the initial position to the final position

Speed

The ratio of the distance covered to the time taken. Speed = Distance/Time

Velocity

The ratio of displacement, or change in position, to the time taken

Acceleration

Refers to a change in velocity in a given period of time, can be a positive or negative number

Torque

A force that tends to cause rotation

Torque Formula

Torque = Force x Lever Arm

Torque Measurement

Measured in newton meters (Nm)

Angular Distance

Covered by a rotating body is the sum of all the angular changes the body undergoes

Angular Displacement

The difference between the initial and final angular position of an object, considering the direction of the angular motion

Angular Speed

Angular distance covered divided by the time taken to complete the motion

Angular Speed Formula

Angular Speed = angular distance/time

Angular Velocity

The rate of change of the angular displacement of a body over time

Angular Velocity Formula

Angular Velocity = angular displacement/time

Angular Speed Measurement

Measured in degrees per second

Acceleration (Angular)

Rate of change of angular velocity or how quickly a body changes its angular position

Acceleration Measurement

Measured in degrees per second squared

Projectile

An object that is projected into the air and is influenced by gravity and air resistance

Vertical Component

Influenced by gravity as the object is pulled down

Horizontal Component

Influenced by air resistance and drag

Angle Of Release

Angle at which the object is projected into the air, determining the flight path

Vertical Shape Flight Path

Object goes straight up and straight back down again

Parabolic Flight Path

Angle of projectile is between 0 and 90 degrees

Half a Parabola Flight Path

Object projected at 0 degrees/horizontal

Speed Of Release

The speed at which an object is thrown, kicked or propelled into the air

Height Of Release

Difference between the height that a projectile is released from and the height at which it lands/stops

Levers

All levers have three parts in common: an axis, a resistance, and a force

Axis (Lever)

Point at which the lever hinges or rotates

Force (Lever)

The contraction of the muscle that pulls the bone, exerting a force

Resistance (Lever)

The load or mass the lever system must overcome