EHR218 Biomechanics (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Exercise Science (EXSCI)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
The purpose of this subject is to give students a fundamental understanding of how mechanical principles can be applied to understand the underlying causes of human movement. Students will learn how various kinetic (forces) and kinematic (description of motion) principles can be applied to improve technique of a movement skill and equipment design to maximise performance and/or reduce injuries. Understanding how force can produce movement, lead to injury, or when applied by clinicians aid rehabilitation and enhance sports performance is a central component for graduates as a physical educator, coach, and exercise or sport scientists. A practical-focused learning design will allow students to apply these mechanical concepts to identify and describe why the body moves in certain ways.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Internal | Bathurst |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EHR218
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- have the biomechanical foundation to explain the mechanics of human movement;
- describe the principles of the centre of gravity, equilibrium and balance;
- identify and apply the methods to calculate the centre of mass for an individual segment and the entire body from two-dimensional kinematic data;
- sketch a free body diagram of external forces acting on the human body;
- explain the principle and factors that affect torques;
- solve quantitative problems related to kinetic and kinematic concepts;
- calculate linear and angular displacement, velocity and acceleration;
- describe the linear and angular analogues of mass, force, momentum and impulse;
- explain the relationship between work, energy and power;
- explain the concept of levers within the human body and describe the mechanical advantage associated with different types of levers;
- describe the effects of factors governing projectile trajectory;
- describe Newton’s laws of motion and gravitation, and examine examples of these laws in human movement.;
- explain factors that affect friction and its role in human movement;
- describe the principles of fluid motion including buoyancy, drag and lift;
-
describe the patterns of temporal, kinetic and kinetic variables in gait.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- Linear and angular kinetic principles
- Linear and angular kinematic concepts
- Equilibrium, balance and centre of gravity
- Projectile motion
- Biomechanics in a fluid environment
- Muscle mechanics
- Gait (walking and running).
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.