Biomechanics

Curriculum guideline

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Course
SPSC 1151
Discontinued
No
Course code
SPSC 1151
Descriptive
Biomechanics
Department
Sport Science
Faculty
Science and 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

and

Lab: 0.5 hours/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning activities

In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lecture, group work, labs, and problem-based learning.

Course description
This course applies fundamental principles of physics and mathematics to the analysis of human movement, with emphasis on the generation of forces within muscles and their role in initiating and controlling human movement. These principles are applied to explore movement mechanics with the goals of optimizing human performance and reducing injury risk.
Course content
  • Foundational concepts
    • Anatomical terminology and concepts of human movement
    • Structure and function of the musculoskeletal system
    • Planes of motion (sagittal, frontal, transverse)
    • Anatomical axes of rotation (medio-lateral, antero-posterior, longitudinal)
    • Degrees of freedom at joints
    • Phases of human movement
  • Kinematics (Linear and Angular Motion)
    • Displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time
    • Linear and angular kinematic equations 
    • Projectile motion
  • Kinetics (Linear and Angular)
    • Force, mass, and acceleration
    • Torque, moment of inertia, and angular acceleration
    • Work, power, energy, momentum, and impulse in linear and angular systems
    • Linear and angular kinetic equations
    • Free-body diagrams and force analysis in human movement
  • Muscle and tissue mechanics
    • Structure and function of muscle-tendon complex
    • Mechanisms of force production in skeletal muscle
    • Force–length and force–velocity relationships
    • Tissue mechanics: compression, tension, shear, and strain
    • Viscoelastic properties of biological tissues (e.g., hysteresis)
    • Mechanical properties of tissues (e.g., Young’s modulus) and musculoskeletal adaptation
  • Injury mechanics
    • Mechanical loading and tissue stress in acute and chronic injury
    • Internal and external forces contributing to injury mechanisms
  • Data collection and biomechanical analysis
    • Methods and tools used to collect human movement data
    • Processing and analysis of biomechanical data
    • Graphical interpretation of kinematic and kinetic variables
    • Application of peer-reviewed research to biomechanical data interpretation

 

Learning outcomes

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

  • apply knowledge of human anatomy and fundamental principles of mechanics, including Newton’s laws of motion, to analyze human movement;
  • derive and apply kinematic equations to analyze human motion in two dimensions;
  • analyze projectile motion and the factors influencing projectile trajectory;
  • construct and interpret free-body diagrams to solve problems in human movement;
  • explain how forces are generated by the muscle-tendon complex;
  • calculate and apply principles of angular kinetics to analyze human movement;
  • apply the concepts of work, energy, and power to analyze human movement;
  • explain mechanisms of injury as they relate to internal and external forces;
  • interpret graphs, models, and biomechanical data describing human movement;
  • describe methods and tools used to collect human movement data and evaluate their limitations;
  • collect and process biomechanical data related to human movement;
  • apply evidence-based principles to interpret and analyze biomechanical research data;
  • apply active learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in the qualitative analysis of human movement.
Means of assessment

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

Research and Practical Assignments 10-30%
Laboratory Reports 10-40%
Laboratory Tests 0-40%
Test(s) 15-40%
Final Exam 15-40%
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 edition). Biomechanics of Human Movement. OER Commons. 
  • Scientific calculator
Prerequisites

One of:

Foundations of Math 11 with a minimum grade of C

or

Precalculus Math 11 with a minimum grade of C

or

MATU 0411 with a minimum grade of C

or

Successful completion of the Douglas College Math 11 Exemption Test (DCMX)

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None