Biomechanics and Optimal Projection Flashcards

Flashcards covering biomechanical principles including projectile motion, stability, force summation, coefficient of restitution, impulse, momentum, and lever systems.

Optimal Projection

The angle, velocity, and height of release that a body is projected in order to achieve the best outcome for the performance.

Parabolic Trajectory

The curved path followed by an object put into motion in the air; under the influence of gravity, the projectile rises and falls in a symmetrical shape if landing height equals release height.

Release Angle

The angle at which a projectile is put into motion, which can be less than, equal to, or greater than $45^\circ$.

Balance

The ability to neutralise forces that disturb equilibrium.

Line of gravity

The imaginary vertical line passing through the center of gravity; the closer this line is to the limits of the base of support, the less the degree of stability.

Simultaneous Force Summation

Where all body parts move at the same time to produce a force, typically used to produce accuracy (e.g., a netball goal shot or golf putt) or maximum power (e.g., a snatch in weightlifting).

Sequential Force Summation

The combination of forces produced by different parts of the body acting together in a sequence to maximise force in whole-body actions such as throwing, kicking, and striking.

Kinetics

The branch of mechanics that deals with the actions of forces in producing or changing the motion of masses.

Elasticity

The ability of an object to return to its original shape after being deformed.

Coefficient of restitution (COR)

A measure between $0$ and $1$ of the elasticity of the collision between an object and a given surface.

Perfectly elastic collision

A collision with a Coefficient of Restitution (COR) of $1$, where a ball dropped from a height rebounds to that same height.

Momentum

The amount of motion possessed by a moving body, calculated as $\text{Momentum} = \text{Mass (kg)} \times \text{Velocity (m/s)}$.

Impulse

The application of force over a period of time to change an object's momentum, calculated as $\text{Impulse} = \text{force} \times \text{time}$.

Angular Momentum

The quantity of angular motion possessed by a rotating body, relating to the velocity or speed of a rotating object.

Moment of inertia

The resistance of a rotating object to change its state of motion, calculated as $I = m \times r^2$.

Conservation of angular momentum

The principle stating that when no external torque acts on an object, no change of angular momentum will occur.

Fulcrum

The pivot point or axis around which a lever rotates.

3rd class levers

A lever where the fulcrum is at one end, the effort is applied in the middle, and the resistance is at the opposite end; it acts as a speed multiplier.

Resistance arm

The distance between the fulcrum and the centre of the resistance.

Effort arm

The distance between the fulcrum and the point at which the force is applied.

Inertia

The amount of resistance to a change in an object’s state of motion.

Law of acceleration

Newton's 2nd Law, which states that the acceleration of a body is directly proportional to the force applied to it and inversely proportional to the object’s mass.