Unit I - Terminology, Physics, Motion, Kinematics, Gait

What is biomechanics?

The study of the structure, function, and motion of biological systems using the principles and methods of mechanics.

What two words make up "biomechanics"?

Bio + Mechanics.

• Bio = life/biological systems

• Mechanics = study of forces, motion, and physical principles

What does biomechanics study?

The mechanical aspects of biological systems at all levels, including:

• Whole organisms

• Organs

• Cells

• Cell organelles

What scientific field provides the foundation for biomechanics?

Mechanics

What historical figure is considered a pioneer of biomechanics?

Giovanni Alfonso Borelli (1608–1679).

What book did Giovanni Borelli write that contributed to biomechanics?

De Motu Animalium ("On the Movement of Animals").

Why is Borelli important in biomechanics?

He applied mechanical principles to understand animal movement and muscle function.

Why do we study biomechanics?

• To understand how movements are generated and controlled

• To identify physical and anatomical limitations

• To improve movement and clinical outcomes

• To prevent injury and enhance performance

What question does biomechanics help answer about movement?

How do we generate and control movements?

What limitations does biomechanics examine?

Physical and anatomical restrictions that influence movement.

How can biomechanics improve clinical practice?

By improving understanding of movement dysfunctions and developing treatments, devices, and interventions.

What are two major goals of sports biomechanics?

1. Enhance athletic performance

2. Prevent injury

How can biomechanics help athletes recover?

By analyzing movement patterns and improving rehabilitation strategies.

What biomechanical factors are commonly studied in sports?

• Motion (kinematics)

• Forces (kinetics)

• Mechanical work

• Energy

• Power

What is musculoskeletal modeling?

Creating computer models of bones, muscles, and joints to study movement and forces.

Why are musculoskeletal simulations used?

To predict movement, muscle forces, and effects of interventions.

What does biomechanics research on assistive devices study?

How devices improve movement, function, and mobility.

Examples of assistive devices studied in biomechanics include:

• Prosthetics

• Orthotics

• Exoskeletons

What is finite element analysis (FEA)?

A computational method used to analyze stresses, strains, and forces within structures.

What is finite element analysis commonly used to study?

• Tissue mechanics

• Bone loading

• Foot pressure

• Medical devices

What is tissue characterization?

Studying the mechanical properties of biological tissues.

What does in-vitro testing involve?

Testing biological tissues outside the body in a controlled environment.

Why is foot and ankle biomechanics important?

It helps understand gait, injury mechanisms, footwear effects, and clinical conditions

What are common measurements used in foot and ankle biomechanics?

• Gait analysis

• Force measurements

• Pressure measurements

• Motion analysis

What is a Pedar insole?

A pressure-measuring insole used to analyze plantar foot pressures during movement.

What can Pedar insoles measure?

• Plantar pressure

• Force distribution

• Loading patterns during gait

What question was investigated in cerebral palsy orthopedic biomechanics research?

Can orthopedic surgery improve gait biomechanics in children with cerebral palsy?

What are key components studied in cerebral palsy gait research?

• Gait biomechanics

• Muscle imaging

• Muscle mechanics

How can biomechanics evaluate orthopedic surgery outcomes?

By measuring changes in movement patterns and gait efficiency.

What is an exoskeleton?

A wearable device designed to assist or enhance movement.

Why are exoskeletons studied in children with cerebral palsy?

To improve gait and mobility.

What questions does footwear biomechanics investigate?

• Do shoes improve running performance?

• Do shoes decrease injury risk?

What are key components of footwear biomechanics?

• Gait biomechanics

• Force

• Pressure

How can footwear influence biomechanics?

Shoes can alter forces, pressure distribution, and movement patterns

What biomechanical question has been studied regarding artificial limbs?

Whether prosthetic limbs provide an advantage over able-bodied runners.

What factors are analyzed when studying prosthetic running?

• Running mechanics

• Energy use

• Force production

What biomechanical question was studied about Nike Vaporfly shoes?

Whether they provide physiological benefits during marathon running.

What biomechanical factors are studied in marathon footwear research?

• Running kinematics

• Running kinetics

• Mechanical work

• Energy

• Power

What is an example of technology studied in swimming biomechanics?

High-technology swimsuits such as the LZR Racer.

What materials were used in the LZR Racer swimsuit?

• Woven elastane-nylon

• Polyurethane

How can swimming technology affect performance?

By reducing resistance and improving movement efficiency.

Why are body planes used in biomechanics?

They provide reference points for describing movement.

What are the three cardinal body planes?

• Frontal (coronal)

• Sagittal

• Transverse

What does the frontal plane divide the body into?

Front and back portions

Another name for the frontal plane is:

Coronal plane

What does the sagittal plane divide the body into?

Right and left portions.

What does the transverse plane divide the body into?

Top and bottom portions.

What suffix describes a motion?

"-ion"

Example:

• Flexion = movement

What suffix describes a position?

"-ed"

Example:

• Flexed = positioned

What suffix describes a fixed structural position?

• "-us"

• "-um"

Examples:

• Varus

• Valgus

What is dorsiflexion?

Movement of the foot toward the tibia.

What does dorsiflexed mean?

The foot is positioned toward the tibia.

What is plantarflexion?

Movement of the foot away from the tibia.

What does plantarflexed mean?

The foot is positioned away from the tibia.

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion occur primarily in what plane?

Sagittal plane.

What is foot abduction?

The medial surface of the foot moves away from the midline.

What does abducted mean?

The foot is positioned away from the midline.

What is foot adduction?

The medial surface of the foot moves toward the midline.

What does adducted mean?

The foot is positioned toward the midline.

Abduction and adduction occur primarily in what plane?

Transverse plane.

What is inversion?

The plantar surface of the foot moves toward the midline.

What does inverted mean?

The plantar surface is positioned toward the midline.

What is eversion?

The plantar surface moves away from the midline.

What does everted mean?

The plantar surface is positioned away from the midline.

Inversion and eversion occur primarily in what plane?

Frontal plane.

What three motions make up supination?

• Calcaneal inversion

• Plantarflexion

• Adduction

What position describes a supinated foot?

• Calcaneus inverted

• Foot plantarflexed

• Foot adducted

What three motions make up pronation?

• Calcaneal eversion

• Dorsiflexion

• Abduction

What position describes a pronated foot?

• Calcaneus everted

• Foot dorsiflexed

• Foot abducted

What is talipes calcaneus?

A fixed structural position where the foot is maintained in dorsiflexion.

What is talipes equinus?

A fixed structural position where the foot is maintained in plantarflexion.

What is varus?

A fixed structural position where the foot is maintained inverted.

What is valgus?

A fixed structural position where the foot is maintained everted.

What is adductus?

A fixed structural position where the foot or part of the foot is held adducted.

What is an example of adductus?

Metatarsus adductus.

What is abductus?

A fixed structural position where the foot or part of the foot is held abducted.

What is an example of abductus?

Hallux Abductovalgus (HAV).

Dorsiflexion vs plantarflexion?

• Dorsiflexion = foot toward tibia

• Plantarflexion = foot away from tibia

Inversion vs eversion?

• Inversion = plantar surface toward midline

• Eversion = plantar surface away from midline

Supination vs pronation?

Supination:

• Inversion

• Plantarflexion

• Adduction

Pronation:

• Eversion

• Dorsiflexion

• Abduction

Varus vs valgus?

• Varus = inverted fixed position

• Valgus = everted fixed position

Motion terms vs position terms?

• Motion: moving (ex: dorsiflexion)

• Position: held position (ex: dorsiflexed)