Lecture Notes on Performance and Biomechanics

Introduction to Performance

• Definition of Performance:
  • General measure of how well tasks are executed.
  • Includes various activities from running to regaining movement post-injury.
  • Ranges from elite athletes to ordinary individuals.

Basics of Movement

• Functional Anatomy and Movements:
  • Movements include flexions, extensions, rotations, etc.
  • Movement is a change in position over time (kinematics).
  • Studied in courses like anatomical kinesiology (e.g., KN245).

Mechanics of Movement

• Kinematics:
  • Focuses on movement without forces causing them.
  • Studies displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
• Kinetics:
  • Examines forces causing movement (study of forces).
  • Uses Newton’s laws (inertia, acceleration, action-reaction).
  • External and internal forces (gravity, muscle forces, etc.).

Newton's Laws in Biomechanics

• Law of Inertia:
  • Objects stay in their current state of motion unless acted upon.
• Law of Acceleration:
  • Defined by equation F = ma (force = mass x acceleration).
• Law of Action-Reaction:
  • Every force has an equal and opposite reaction.

Internal & External Forces

• External Forces:
  • Gravity, ground reaction force.
• Internal Forces:
  • Muscle forces, tendons, and ligaments.

Muscle Dynamics

• Force-Velocity Relationship:
  • Relationship between muscle force generation and contraction speed.
• Length-Tension Relationship:
  • Force generation based on muscle length during contraction.

Role of the Nervous System

• Central Nervous System (CNS):
  • Directs muscle contractions and receives sensory feedback.
  • Influences performance based on signals sent to muscles.

Environmental Influences

• External Environment:
  • Weather conditions, surface characteristics.
• Psychological Environment:
  • Impact of audience presence and pressure situations.

Understanding Human Performance

• Integration of Disciplines:
  • Importance of combining knowledge from various fields (biomechanics, motor control, anatomy, etc.) to understand human performance.

Applications of Biomechanics

• Biomechanics in Practice:
  • Exercise equipment design, prosthetics, orthotics.
  • Performance enhancement in sports and ergonomics.
  • Clinical settings (gait analysis, bike fitting).
• Career Paths:
  • Academia, research, physical therapy, fitness industry.

Conclusion

• Definition of Biomechanics:
  • Investigation of motion and forces during actions of living organisms.
• Focus of Biomechanics Class:
  • Understanding mechanical principles applied to human movement.

These notes summarize the key points discussed in the lecture on biomechanics and performance, including the mechanics of movement, Newton’s laws in biomechanics, the role of the nervous system, and the broad applications of biomechanics in various fields.