Study Notes on Biomechanics and Kinesiology

Introduction to Biomechanics and Kinesiology

  • Importance of understanding movement in various contexts.

  • Diverse backgrounds of students in the class:

    • Final year students

    • First year students

    • Students with backgrounds in anatomy, physiology, biology, kinesiology, and biomechanics.

    • Some students are hearing these concepts for the first time.

Overview of Biomechanics and Kinesiology

  • Definition of Kinesiology:

    • Study of how the body moves.

    • Focus on normal movement without pathological conditions.

    • Essential for working in movement therapies and professions that assist those with movement difficulties.

  • Purpose of the course:

    • Understanding normal movement mechanics (e.g., elbow when straightening arm, shoulder when pushing away).

    • Differentiate between normal and pathological movements (e.g., injuries, restricted mobility).

Role of Biomechanics

  • Definition of Biomechanics:

    • Study of how forces affect the body.

    • Examples of forces acting on the body:

    • Gravity

    • Body weight

    • Clothing

    • External forces (e.g., bump from another person).

  • Importance of understanding forces:

    • How they affect human function and movement.

    • Everyday examples:

    • Carrying a heavy backpack affects mobility and function.

Measuring and Observing Movement

  • Different methods of measuring movement:

    • Goniometry:

    • Measures joint angle (e.g., elbow movement).

    • Instrument used: goniometer.

    • Advantages: inexpensive, straightforward, fairly accurate.

    • Limitations: time-consuming, difficult to measure during dynamic activities (e.g., throwing a baseball).

    • Electrogoniometers:

    • More expensive, more accurate; used in clinical settings but time-intensive.

    • Photography:

    • Easy and accessible due to smartphone availability.

    • Limitations: captures images in two dimensions and does not show movement progression.

    • Demonstration:

      • Observing a person's movement by capturing the start and stop positions without seeing the motion in between.

    • Motion Analysis Systems:

    • Use of dots on a subject’s body tracked by video.

    • Costly and often impractical for fieldwork (e.g., home health visits).

  • Best observation technique: direct visual observation of movement.

Reference Position in Movement Observation

  • Anatomical Position:

    • Standard reference position to describe movement.

    • Characteristics:

    • Body facing forward, arms at the sides, palms facing forward, feet directed forward.

  • Importance of anatomical position as a reference for directional terms in anatomy and motion.

Anatomical Terminology

  • Common directional terms:

    • Lateral: Away from the midline.

    • Medial: Towards the midline.

    • Superior: Above or towards the head.

    • Inferior: Below or towards the feet.

    • Proximal: Closer to the point of attachment.

    • Distal: Farther from the point of attachment.

  • Use of directional terms for precise documentation of pain or treatment locations:

    • Example of identifying pain location (e.g., distal lateral portion of the thigh).

  • Combined terms allow for accurate anatomical descriptions (e.g., posterior lateral thigh).

Joint Movements and Planes of Motion

  • Joint Function: Joints are where bones connect, allowing for movement, primarily in specific directions depending on their type.

  • Cardinal Planes of Motion: Three planes that dictate movement:

    1. Sagittal Plane:

    • Movement forward and backward.

    • Axis of rotation is medial to lateral.

    • Examples: walking, flexing the elbow.

    1. Frontal Plane:

    • Side-to-side movement.

    • Axis runs front to back.

    • Examples: jumping jacks, lateral movements.

    1. Transverse (Horizontal) Plane:

    • Rotational movements.

    • Axis is longitudinal (top to bottom).

    • Examples: head turning, torso rotation.

  • Diagonal Planes of Motion:

    • Combination of various movements across the cardinal planes, reflecting how humans naturally move.

Axis of Rotation and Movement

  • Each plane of movement requires an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the motion:

    • Sagittal plane requires frontal axis.

    • Frontal plane requires sagittal axis.

    • Transverse plane requires longitudinal axis.

  • Practical implications involving joints and movement efficiency due to different joint structures (e.g., shoulder vs. elbow).

Final Thoughts

  • Importance of understanding these foundational concepts in biomechanics and kinesiology for practical applications in therapy and movement studies.

  • Students encouraged to memorize anatomical terms and concepts as they are critical to future discussions and applied practices.