Biomechanics

Code:

PDF04

Acronym:

PDF04

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physical Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Course/CS Responsible:	Physiotherapy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
DF	20	Plano do Programa de Doutoramento	1	-	9	50	243

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

To provide students with advanced knowledge on biomechanics of human movement applied to the mechanisms of injury, their prophylaxis and to therapeutic exercise.

To develop knowledge and skills specially geared to scientific research in the discipline.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students should be aware of the principles and laws that govern human movement and the laboratory methods underlying their advanced study.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Knowledge of mathematics and general physics, namely algebra, vector calculus, mechanics and thermodynamics. Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biology.

Program

1. Introduction to biomechanical evaluation and research: a historical and contemporary approach
2. Biomechanical evaluation methods
2.1. Kinemetric methods
2.1.1. History of imagiological kinemetry
2.1.2. Videogrammetry
2.1.3. Opto-Electronic Systems
2.1.4. Velocimetry, accelerometry and inertial units
2.1.5. Goniometry and other kinemetric methods
2.1.6. Ultrasonography and medical image in biomechanics
2.1.7. Referenciation, calibration and data processing
2.2. Dynamometric methods
2.2.1. Load cells and force sensors
2.2.2. Force platforms
2.2.3. Pressure transducers
2.2.4. Isokinetic dynamometry and other integrated systems
2.2.5. Inverse dynamics and internal forces calculation
2.3. EMG
2.3.1. Intrusive EMG
2.3.2. Surface EMG
2.3.3. EMG decomposition
2.4. Biomechanical morphometry
2.4.1. Dimensional characteristics
2.4.2. Inertial properties
2.4.3. Evaluation methods
2.5. Thermography in biomechanics
3. Modeling and simulation in biomechanics
4. Biomechanics of the biological tissues, materials and biomaterials
5. Applications to therapy and rehabilitation
5.1. Assessment and therapy of the shoulder joint complex
5.2. Clinical gait analysis
5.3. Prostheses, orthoses and locomotion aids
5.4. Pain and motor control in biomechanics
5.5. Biomechanics of joint stiffness
5.6. Biomechanics in neurodegenerative diseases

Mandatory literature

Jim Richards; The^comprehensive textbook of clinical biomechanics. ISBN: 978-0-7020-5490-7
Robertson D. Gordon E. 070; Research methods in biomechanics. ISBN: 978-0-7360-9340-8

Complementary Bibliography

Richards Jim; Biomechanics in clinic and research. ISBN: 978-0-443-10170-0
Thomas K. Uchida; Biomechanics of movement. ISBN: 978-0-262-04420-2
Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky; Kinetics of human motion. ISBN: 0-7360-3778-0
Zatsiorsky Vladimir; Kinematics of human motion. ISBN: 0-88011-676-5

Teaching methods and learning activities

Master classes, thematic conferences and laboratory
workshops.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	75,00
Participação presencial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	124,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Elaboração de projeto	30,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Total:	234,00

Eligibility for exams

Participation in 75% of classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Participation x 0.25 + Work x 0.75

Examinations or Special Assignments

Written work prospecting research project on biomechanics of therapeutic exercise or injury, including dedicated systematic literature review and detailed description of laboratory procedures.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Working students who cannot meet the attendance criteria must carry out additional written work in which they must summarize the material taught, highlighting its relevance for advanced training and research in physiotherapy.

Classification improvement

Written work prospecting research project on biomechanics of therapeutic exercise or injury, including dedicated systematic literature review and detailed description of laboratory procedures.