TEXT:

Bergemann, B.W. (2004) Biomechanics: Problems and Tutorial Manual Campbell University

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The laws of physics and mechanical principles are used to analyze physical activity and sports skills. Current research, images of highly skilled performers, lectures, and discussions about performance enhancement are used to expand the depth and breadth of student knowledge.

Prerequisite: Kinesiology.

PROBLEM SOLVING EMPHASIS:

Students will use physics and mathematics to assess human movement. In addition students will use problem solving to assess the mechanical factors that contribute to movement.

SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

A student who completes this course will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of skeleton and the systems responsible for human movement.
2. Display an understanding of and an ability to apply mechanical principles governing movement and the generation of forces in the human body.
3. Determine the mechanical factors that relate to the performance of an observed movement.
4. Identify the critical elements of human performance and establish a priority for change in those elements that will lead to improvement in performance.
5. Identify the elements of kinematic and kinetic analysis.
6. Make practical assessments of movement capabilities based on qualitative analysis.

ASSIGNMENTS:

In addition to readings from the book and written tests, the student will be given various assignments as the semester progresses. Each student is expected to complete assignments in a timely manner. All written work must be turned in on the due date. If you are ill, please arrange to have the work turned in for you. Neatness, thoroughness, and promptness are necessary for the satisfactory completion of the assignments.

TOPICAL OUTLINE:

GRADING:

• A = 90 - 100%
• B = 80 - 89%
• C = 70 - 79%
• D = 60 - 69%
• F = < 60%

ATTENDANCE:

The university requirement is that the student fails when the number of absences exceeds 15%. For a grad class that meets for 3.5 hours per meeting two missed classes constitute a failure. All medical excuses should have infirmary validation. See catalogue for other exceptions.

Note: Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. If you come in late, do not forget to tell me at the end of class that you were in attendance. If you do not, you will not be marked present.

ANALYSIS PROJECT:

	A videoanalysis project is required for this course.  Each student will choose a motor skill, such as:
a locomotor skill, or sports skill.   Choose a skill that is of interest to you and your career.  If you are
going to be a coach, you may want to choose a skill that is used in the sport you want to coach.  If you are
going to be a physical education teacher, you may want to choose a skill that shows developmental changes, 
like throwing or kicking.  If you are going to be a therapist, you may want to examine walking patterns of
injured or cerebral palsied.  Dr. Bergemann will give you a deadline for you to decide on a motor skill and two other skills that you may 
also be interested in.  Turn in the list of 3 skills in order of preference. Dr. Bergemann will choose 
from the three skills the one you are to analyze.  The student will be responsible for arranging for a 
videotaping session with Dr. Bergemann, their subject(s), and the place where the videotaping is to 
take place.  The student will assist Dr.  Bergemann in setting up the videotaping site.  If the student 
wants to do  a volleyball skill and use a VB player, then the student will have to arrange with the student, 
and the coach for the time, use of the gym and nets, etc.  Normally a videotaping session takes about 10 
minutes to set up with two camcorders (minimum) and a calibration cube, and 5-10 minutes to record the 
cube and several trials of the subject(s). The sports skills listed in the topical outline cannot be done as projects'
by the students.  

	During the course there will be labs that will familiarize you with the videoanalysis equipment.  
This includes a Panasonic VCR, a computer with the APAS software, etc.  The labs will consist of determining 
a sequence for analysis, capturing the sequence from two or more views (2 minimum), setting up a stick 
figure model of the player and implements, digitizing each view and the cube, transforming the two (or more 
views of the same sequence) to 3D coordinates, smoothing the data, analyzing the linear and angular 
parameters of the motion.

	It is necessary for you to systematically work on your project throughout the semester.  If you wait 
until the last week you may find that Dr. Bergemann is very busy and may not be able to help you, and that 
you may not be able to get access to the computers when you want them.  The lab has two computers with 
the APAS system on it, but only one computer has the VCR connected for video capturing.  When the video 
sequence is captured and becomes an avi file it can be accessed from the other two computers.  You may 
also download the APAS software on your computer at home, and you will receive a 30 trial free.    Remember you only get 30 days with 
the trial software.  It will do everything the lab computer software will do, except capturing the video 
sequence.  The projects are due the last day of class.  One letter grade will be deducted for every day late.  The projects
are to be turned in at the beginning of class.  Papers turned in later in the day will constitute being late.  

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Adrian, M.J. & J.M. Cooper. (1989). Biomechanics of Human Movement. Indianapolis: Benchmark.
• Blandling, S.L. & J.J. Monteleone. (1992). What Makes the Boomerang Come Back: The Science of Sports. Stamford, CT: Longmeadow.
• Brancazio, P.J. (1984). Sport Science: Physical Laws and Optimum Performance. New York: Simon & Shuster.
• Chaffin, D.B. & G. Anderson. (1984). Occupational Biomechanics. New York: Wiley & Sons.
• Dyson, Geoffrey H.G. (1986). Mechanics of Athletics (8th ed.). Kent, Eng.: Hodder and Stoughton.
• Ecker, Tom. (1971). Track and Field Dynamics. Mountain View, CA: Tafnews.
• Hay, J.G. (1993). The Biomechanics of Sports Techniques (4th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Jorgensen, T. P. (1993). The physics of golf New York, NY : AIP Press.
• Kreighbaum, E. and K.M. Barthels. (1996) Biomechanics: A Qualitative
• Approach for Studying Movement. (4th ed.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Leadbetter, D. (1993) Faults & fixes. New York : HarperCollins Publishers.