Analysis Through The Use Of Technology

Question 1

Explain limb kinematics

Answer 1

Kinematics is the study of movement in relation to time and space. 3D or optical motion analysis records of an athlete performing a sporting action or a patient performing normal bodily movement. This allows joint and limb efficiency to be evaluated with measurements of bone geometry, displacement, velocity and acceleration in multiple planes of movement

Question 2

Advantages of limb kinematics

Answer 2

• data produced is immediate, objective and highly accurate
• can be used by coaches to adjust technique and improve performance

Question 3

Disadvantages of limb kinematics

Answer 3

• accuracy and repeatability of results depends on the correct placement of the bodily markers
• the mathematical principles the results are based upon do not cater for individual differences
• highly specialised, expensive and largely limited to laboratory conditions, making some sporting actions difficult

Question 4

Explain force plates

Answer 4

Data from an athlete balancing, running or jumping on a force plate can be used to assess the size and direction of forces acting on the athlete, acceleration rates, work and power output. Most commonly, force plates are used for sports biomechanics assessment, gait analysis (analysis of human motion mainly for running and posture), balance, rehabilitation and physical therapy

Question 5

Advantages of force plates

Answer 5

• immediate, accurate and reliable results that biomechanists can use to analyse performance and health

Question 6

Disadvantages of force plates

Answer 6

• specialist, expensive and usually housed in laboratory conditions, which may force some performers to adapt the way they run or jump in real-life sporting situation, limiting their potential use

Question 7

Explain the use of wind tunnels

Answer 7

The object is placed inside the wind tunnel with instruments to measure the forced produced by the air against it’s surface. Engineers may also study the flow of air around the object by injecting smoke or dye into the tunnel. The aim of using a wind tunnel is to improve the flow of air around an object, streamlining it’s path through the oncoming air and potentially increasing lift or decreasing drag

Question 8

Advantages of wind tunnels

Answer 8

• allows engineers to have tight control on environmental variables such as wind speed or wind direction, and gives them the ability to control cross winds and measure air resistance and flow with precision accuracy in a very time efficient manner

Question 9

Disadvantages of wind tunnels

Answer 9

• very specialised facilities mainly housed in engineering bases
• very expensive and require complex analysis of the results by research professionals