Biomechanics

Code:

319

Acronym:

B

Instance: 2023/2024 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Sports Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCD	197	First Degree in Sports Sciences (2011/2012)	3	-	8	-

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Study the mechanical laws that govern human movement and the importance of their application in the analytical and experimental resolution of problems in teaching, training and evaluation of physical activities in sport, ergonomics and rehabilitation.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be able to identify and apply the laws of mechanics that govern human movement, and their importance in teaching, training and evaluating physical activity in a sport, ergonomic or rehabilitation context.

They should also be able to identify a correctly executed movement and when it is not, to suggest changes that make it correct from a biomechanical point of view. They must, therefore, be able to explain human movement in biomechanical terms and apply the acquired knowledge to new situations.

They must also be qualified in the correct use of simple biomechanical instruments for use in the field (namely 2D video kinemetry, inertial kinemetry, dynamometry by simple pressure sensors and electromyography), as well as in the interpretation of the respective results. They must be able to implement programs for the evaluation and biomechanical counseling of sports practice and to interpret the data obtained.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to the study of Biomechanics: definition and concepts
2. History of Biomechanics
3. Analytical Biomechanics
3.1. Fundamental principles of Mechanics
3.2. Mathematics as a language of Mechanics: fundamental concepts
3.3. Linear Kinematics
3.4. Angular Kinematics
3.5. Forces and moments
3.5.1. Linear kinetics
3.5.2. Angular kinetics
3.6. Work, Power, Energy, Inertia and Friction
3.7. Rotations with origin on the ground and in aerial trajectory, Centrifugal Force, Centripetal Force
3.8. Fluid mechanics
4. Experimental biomechanics
4.1. Kinematics and Kinemetry
4.1.1. 2D and 3D kinematics
4.1.2. Light and inertial kinemetry
4.1.3. Calibration, referencing and coordinates
4.1.4. 2D video kinemetry with freeware applications
4.1.5. Inertial kinemetry via smartphone
4.2. Kinetics and dynamometry
4.2.1. Pressure and force transducers
4.2.2. Dynamometry in vertical jumps with FSR transducers
4.3. Electromyography (EMG)
4.3.1. Surface EMG
4.3.2. EMG with low cost sensors
4.4. Biomechanical Anthropometry
4.4.1. Measures of interest
4.4.2. Smartphone acquisition automation
5. Future perspectives

Mandatory literature

Peter M. McGinnis; Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise, Human Kinetics, 2013. ISBN: 0-7360-7966-1
Steven T. McCaw; Biomechanics For Dummies, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2014. ISBN: 978-1-118-67469-7
Thomas K. Uchida; Biomechanics of movement. ISBN: 978-0-262-04420-2

Complementary Bibliography

Nihat Ozkaya, Dawn Leger, David Goldsheyder, Margareta Nordin; Fundamentals of Biomechanics Equilibrium, Motion, and Deformation (4th ed), Springer International Publishing Switzerland , 2017. ISBN: ISBN 978-3-319-44737-7

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical/expositive teaching (in person or at distance) with resolution of practical exercises. Laboratorial based teaching for the application of the theoretical concepts, and interpretation of the observed results.
Practical work conducted by the students under supervision of the teachers.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho escrito	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	118,00
Frequência das aulas	78,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Total:	216,00

Eligibility for exams

Attendance to classes according to law is also required. Realization of practical work and the respective report.

Calculation formula of final grade

If the necessary conditions are met, one or more Practical Work Reports will be carried out. The classification assigned to these Report(s) is called Nota Prática. In this case the final classification will be obtained by the formula
CF = (12*Exam_Score + 8*Nota_prática)/20
Please note that in this situation, a minimum score of 7.5 marks out of 20 marks is required, both in the Exam Score and in the Nota Prática.

If the necessary conditions for carrying out Laboratory Work Reports are not met, the Final Classification corresponds only to the classification obtained in the exam
CF = Exam_Score.

The final exam may be replaced by two written tests. If students who opt for this modality do not pass (minimum 7.5 points) in one or the average of the two tests, they may take an appeal exam. The appeal exam can also be used to improve the grade.

Examinations or Special Assignments

If the necessary conditions are met, one or more Practical Work Reports will be carried out.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Final exam, in or out of the evaluation periods in accordance with law.

Classification improvement

Final appeal exam.