Biomechanics

Activity 1: Choose the best answer from the options given.

1.) What does ‘ergonomics’ refer to? 3.) What does ‘motion-capture’ mean in
a) study of emotions biomechanics?
b) study of diseases a) catching athletes in motion
c) training for athletes b) recording sounds during movement
d) designing for safety and efficiency c) measuring body movement using
technology
2.) What is a ‘force plate’ used for? d) filming movies
a) to measure bone density
b) to analyze force applied to the ground
c) to check heart rate
d) to stimulate walking

Activity 2: Complete the sentences with words or phrases from the box.

posture – joints – kinematics – muscles – biomechanics – electromyography (EMG) – levers – force

1.) ……………………. is the science of studying body movement.

2.) …………………….. focuses on describing movement without the forces involved.
3.) The body uses ………………….. to create movement through bones and joints.
4.) ………………….. contract to move the bones and create motion.
5.) ………………….. connect bones and allow for movement.
6.) Good ……………….. reduces the risk of injury during movement.
7.) Gravity is an example of an external ………………… acting on the body.
8.) …………………. helps detect how muscles are being activated.

Activity 3: Match items in Column A with their definitions or functions in Column B.

Column A Column B
1.) Force plate a.) A rotational force around an axis
2.) Motion capture system b.) The study of motion without considering forces
3.) Electromyograph (EMG) c.) The point at which the body’s mass is considered to be concentrated
4.) Dynamometer d.) measures electrical activity of muscles
5.) Accelerometer e.) measures acceleration and motion changes
6.) Kinematics f.) captures joint and limb movement in 3D
7.) Kinetics g.) The pattern of movement during walking or running
8.) Torque h.) measures muscle strength and force output
9.) Gait i.) measures force during physical activities like walking
10.) Center of mass j.) The study of forces causing motion
Answers:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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 Biomechanics: The Science of Movement
Biomechanics is the science that examines the internal and external forces acting on the human body
and the effects produced by these forces. It is a multidisciplinary field that combines principles of physics,
engineering, biology, and physiology to understand how and why the human body moves. From athletes
sprinting down a track to elderly individuals improving their posture, biomechanics plays a crucial role in
analyzing and optimizing human movement.

The study of biomechanics dates back to ancient Greece. The Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote some
of the earliest texts analyzing walking, running, and throwing. Much later during the Renaissance,
Leonardo da Vinci meticulously studied human anatomy and movement, laying the foundation for modern
biomechanics. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that biomechanics became a formal discipline.
Advancements in technology and the development of motion-capture systems allowed scientists to
observe and measure human movement with high precision.

Biomechanics has applications in many areas of life and science. In sports science, biomechanists study
athletes to improve performance and reduce injury risk. For instance, analyzing a basketball player’s jump
shot can reveal inefficiencies in movement, which allows for corrective training. In rehabilitation,
biomechanics assists in designing prosthetic limbs and orthopedic implants that mimic natural motion.
Physical therapists use biomechanical principles to help patients recover from injuries and regain mobility.
In ergonomics, biomechanics is used to design workplaces and tools that enhance safety and efficiency.
For example, examining the posture and movement of workers in a factory can help prevent repetitive
strain injuries. Even in the entertainment industry, biomechanics is utilized in animating realistic human
motion in video games and movies.

Several fundamental concepts form the backbone of biomechanics. One of them is kinematics which
focuses on describing motion without regard to the forces that cause it. Kinematics looks at factors such
as velocity, acceleration, and joint angles. The complementary concept is kinetics which studies the forces
that cause motion. These include gravity, friction, and muscle tension. Another essential concept is levers,
which help explain how muscles and bones work together to produce movement. The human body acts
like a system of levers where bones serve as the rigid structures and joints act as fulcrums. Muscles apply
the effort needed to move these levers, producing motion.

To analyze human movement, biomechanists rely on various tools and technologies. Motion-capture
systems use cameras and reflective markers placed on the body to track movement in three dimensions.
Force plates measure the forces exerted by the feet on the ground during walking or jumping.
Electromyography (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscles, which provides insight into muscle
activation patterns. These technologies generate data that can be used to create detailed models of the
body in motion.

Despite its advances, biomechanics still faces several challenges. One is the complexity of the human
body. Every individual has unique anatomy and movement patterns, which makes it difficult to apply
universal solutions. Additionally, interpreting biomechanical data requires expertise and context. A
movement that appears inefficient in one context may be optimal in another depending on the goals and
physical conditions of the person. Another challenge is integrating biomechanical data with other fields
such as neuroscience and psychology. Understanding how the brain controls movement and how
motivation or fear affects posture is essential for creating a complete picture of human motion.

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 The future of biomechanics is promising. Innovations in wearable technology allow real-time
monitoring of movement outside laboratories. Athletes can now wear sensors that provide immediate
feedback on their form. In medicine, artificial intelligence is being used to analyzed gait and detect
abnormalities that may indicate neurological conditions. Biomechanics also plays a role in developing
exoskeletons to assist individuals with mobility impairments.

Activity 4: Match the titles with the paragraph numbers.

Titles Paragraph Numbers

1.) Essentials of biomechanics
2.) Origins and development of biomechanics
3.) Scope of biomechanics
4.) the future of biomechanics
5.) Biomechanical tools and technologies
6.) Challenges of biomechanics
7.) Applications of biomechanics

Activity 5: Choose the best answer from the options given.

1.) What is the main focus of biomechanics? 3.) What role do bones play in the body?
a) designing video games a) they apply force
b) studying emotions b) they act as levers
c) analyzing human movement c) they are sensors
d) creating artwork d) they are muscles

2.) Which tool is used to track body motion in 3D? 4.) Biomechanics started being considered as a
a) EMG well-organized field in:
b) force plate a) Ancient Greece
c) stopwatch b) 20th century
d) motion-capture system c) the Renaissance
d) Leonard da Vinci’s time

Activity 6: Say whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Justify by quoting a specific passage
from the text.

1.) Biomechanics can help prevent workplace injuries. T/F

.... ... .. ... .... .... .... .... .......... ..............................
2.) EMG measures bone density. T/F
.... ... .. ... .... .... .... .... .......... ..............................

Activity 7: Complete the table with information from the text.

Fields Applications
1.) ………………………………………… Helping patients regain mobility
The entertainment industry 2.) ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3.) …………………………………………. Improve the performance of athletes

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Activity 8: List three main challenges biomechanics encounters.

1.) ……………………………………………………………………………
2.) …………………………………………………………………………..
3.) ………………………………………………………………………….

Activity 9: Complete the following passage with words or phrases from the text.

Biomechanics is a multidisciplinary field of study that analyzes ………………………….. It is based on three

fundamental concepts such as …………………….., ……………………. and levers. Biomechanics uses tools like
……………………… to track movement, ………………….. to measure ground forces, and EMG to measure
electrical activity of the …………………. Its applications can be seen in areas like ergonomics, the
entertainment industry, ………………………., and …………………….. .

Activity 10: Discuss about these issues.

Topic 1: ‘While promising, wearable biomechanical sensors face issues like accuracy, comfort, and
durability during real-world use.’ What do you think about this statement?

Topic 2: Large differences in anatomy, movement patterns, and adaptation among individuals make it
hard to generalize findings.