Biomechanics

Explains the concepts of projectile motion and summation of forces and provides simple sporting examples of each.

Considering the biomechanical principles of summation of forces and projectile motion investigate how a student could apply these principles in different sporting scenarios.

Summation of Forces

In your response you should consider the following for summation of forces:

1.    What is force summation? – Is the combination of the correct timing and sequencing of large muscles to smaller ones to produce maximal force.

2.    What are the key points to force summation?

·      To produce more force – Baseball pitching using your legs to help generate more force into the throw.

·      The movement starts with the biggest muscles. - The reason for this is that these bigger muscles are stronger and produce more force compared to a smaller muscle. It makes sense to use your legs over your arms when lifting a heavy weight.

·      The use of these muscles must be in a sequence. All movements using force summation start with the largest muscles such as your quadriceps and gluteal muscle group then finishing with smaller muscles such in your hands. 

3.    A diagram which shows how timing of segments can affect force. -

Use the link below to assist you with your responses.

Projectile Motion

In your response you should consider the following for projectile motion:

1.    What is projectile motion? – Projectile Motion Occurs when an object is projected into the air.

2.    What are the two constant forces acting on a projectile?

·      Gravity,

·      Air Resistance

3.    Four factors that affect the flight of a projectile.

·      Launch Force,

·      Angle of Releaser

·      Height of Release

·      Spin