Biomechanics

Curriculum Guideline

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Course
SPSC 1151
Discontinued
No
Course Code
SPSC 1151
Descriptive
Biomechanics
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science & Technology
Credits
3.00
Start Date
End Term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester Length
15 weeks
Max Class Size
30
Course Designation
None
Industry Designation
None
Contact Hours

Lecture: 3.5 hours/ week

Lab: 0.5 hours/week

Method(s) Of Instruction
Hybrid
Lecture
Lab
Learning Activities
  • lecture
  • group work
  • online components
  • labs
  • problem-based learning
Course Description
This course applies elementary principles of mechanics and math to analyze human movement. Students explore the development of forces within muscles and their effect on initiating and controlling human movement. These concepts are applied to understand the causes of injuries.
Course Content
  • Anatomical concepts
    • Movements in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes
    • Movements occuring about the medio-lateral, antero-posterior and longitudinal axes
    • Muscle, bones and joints terminology
    • Degrees of freedom at a joint
    • Phases of movement
  • Kinematics
    • Displacement, velocity, acceleration and time
    • Kinematic equations in 2-dimensions
    • Projectile motion
    • Graphical interpreation of motion in 2-dimensions
    • Data interpretation using peer-reviewed research
    • Tools used to collect data
  • Kinetics
    • Mass, force, friction, acceleration, moment of inertia, work, power, energy, momentum and impulse
    • Kinetic equations for linear and angular movements
    • Free-body diagrams
    • Development of acute and chronic injuries
    • Graphical interpretation of kinetic variables
    • Data interpretation using peer-reviewed research
    • Tools used to collect data
  • Internal force generation
    • The elements of the human musculo-skeletal system 
    • How muscles generate forces and their effect on the structures surrounding them
    • Concepts of force-length, force-velocity, hysteresis, compression, tension, shear, strain and Young’s Modulus to explain musculo-skeletal adaptation



Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 

  • apply knowledge of human anatomy to describe human movement;
  • describe the elementary mechanical principles that are applicable to analyzing human movement;
  • derive and apply kinematics equations to analyze human motion in two dimensions;
  • describe the movement of a projectile and discuss the factors that influence a projectile's trajectory;
  • draw a free-body diagram and apply it to solve problems related to human movementt;
  • explain how forces are generated by the muscle-tendon complex;
  • discuss the mechanisms of injury as they relate to internal and external forces;
  • interpret graphs and simple models;
  • apply related peer-reviewed research to interpret data collected by students;
  • describe tools used to acquire human movement data and discuss their efficacy;
  • apply active learning, critical thinking, and problem solving skills in the qualitative analysis of human movement.
Means of Assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

 

Research and Practical assignments 15-25%
Laboratory reports 15-30%
Midterm examination(s) 15-25%
Final examination 25-30%
Total 100%

 

 

Textbook Materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

  • Flanagan, S.P., (current edition). Biomechanics: A case-based approach, Jones and Bartlett Learning
  • Hamm, K. (current version). Biomechanics of Human Movement. OER Commons. 
  • Scientific calculator
Prerequisites
  • Foundations of Math 11  (C or higher), or
  • Precalculus Math 11 (C or higher), or
  • MATU 0411 (C or higher).