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Fundamentals of Biomechanics Study Guide

Learn the core concepts of biomechanics, covering kinematics (how objects move), kinetics (why objects move), and deformation (how objects change shape). This guide provides a foundational understanding of the physical principles governing human movement, energy transfer, and the behavior of biological tissues under load.

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Introduction to Fundamentals of Human Movement

Fundamentals of Human Movement and Mechanics

An introduction to how muscles work to control bodies given the laws of motion and how the brain controls muscles to control motion.

  • Laws of Motion
  • Energy storage
  • Gravity
  • Inertia
  • Elasticity
  • Energy transfer
  • Contact and reaction forces
  • Energy dissipation
  • Friction

Fundamental Mechanical Quantities and Kinematics

Fundamental Mechanical Quantities and Measures

Introduction to fundamental mechanical quantities including space, time, and matter using Système Internationale des Unités.

  • Fundamental Mechanical Quantities
  • Système Internationale des Unités
  • Space and Distance
  • Planar Angle
  • Radians
  • Time
  • Matter
  • Mass
  • Volume
  • Density

Introduction to Basic Mechanics and Kinematics

An introduction to basic mechanics covering kinematics, kinetics, and deformation to understand how muscles control posture and movement.

  • Kinematics
  • Kinetics
  • Deformation
  • Rigid Body
  • Location
  • Orientation
  • Centre-of-Gravity
  • Motion
  • Distance
  • Displacement

Introduction to Kinematics and Kinetics

This module covers kinematic variables for linear and angular motion alongside kinetic concepts including energy, force, work, and Newton's laws of motion.

  • Speed
  • Velocity
  • Acceleration
  • Angular distance
  • Angular displacement
  • Angular velocity
  • Angular acceleration
  • Kinematics
  • Kinetics
  • Energy
  • Kinetic energy
  • Elastic potential energy
  • Gravitational potential energy
  • Work
  • Force
  • Power
  • Gravity
  • Inertia
  • Momentum
  • Newton's First Law

Introduction to Angular Kinetics

This topic covers angular kinetics, including moment of inertia, moment of force, and Newton's laws re-stated for angular motion.

  • Angular kinetics
  • Moment of inertia
  • Rotation of a free body
  • Rotation around a fixed centre-of-rotation
  • Moment of a force
  • Torque
  • Moment arm
  • Muscle moment arms
  • Newton's Laws
  • Angular momentum

Principles of Deformation Mechanics

Introduction to Deformation Mechanics

Deformation mechanics explains how contact forces cause acceleration and change in shape through elasticity, plasticity, and viscosity.

  • Deformation
  • Linear loads
  • Angular loads
  • Elastic deformation
  • Plastic deformation
  • Hooke’s Law
  • Elastic potential energy
  • Mechanical failure
  • Viscosity
  • Visco-elasticity
  • Kinematics
  • Kinetics

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