Introduction to Kinesiology [1]

Question 1

What is biomechanics?

Answer 1

the physics of motion produced by biological system
- integrates biological characyeristics with traditional mechanics (which is the effect of forces and energy on the motion of bodies)

examines the forces acting upon, within and produced by a body

Question 2

Describe what statics and dynamics are?

Answer 2

• Statics: the study of systems in a state of equilibrium (at rest or in constant motion)
• Dynamics: the study of the systems in a state of changing motion

Question 3

What are the 2 types of biomechanical analysis?

Answer 3

Kinetics: study of forces that inhibit, cause, facilitate, or modify motion (friction, gravity, pressure)
- how much torque is placed on the shoulder?
- how much friction exists between the shoes and road?

Kinematics: study of the spatial and temporal characteristics of motion without considering what’s causing the motion (displacement and velocity)
- how fast was the pitch?
- what is the length of the infants step?

Question 4

What is ergonomics?

Answer 4

occupational biomechanics that studies the interaction between humans and machine to help improve the system

Question 5

How can ergnomics improve the human-machine?

Answer 5

• can improve the interface to be resistant to human error
• can manipulate the work enviroment for safety
• can change the task to make it more compatible with user’s characteristics
• can enhance organization of the tasks to better accomodate needs of the users

Question 6

What are the 3 sub-areas of motor behavior?

Answer 6

motor=movement
1. motor control
2. motor development
3. motor learning

Question 7

What are the 2 types of
motor control?

Answer 7

• open loop: movements that happen so quickly the brain doesn’t have time to receive feedback to influence performance (batter)
• closed loop: movements that can be changed duing a perfromance as the brain receives sensory feedback from the eyes, ears, and proprioceptors throuughout the body (football player)

Question 8

Describe how motor control affects motor coordination?

Answer 8

Haken-kelso-bunz model
- research on phase transition during hand movements
- at high speeds, our muscles want to coordinate and will override our attempt at control
- ex) windhield wipers vs in-and-outs with index fingers

Question 9

What is motor development?

Answer 9

throughout our lifespan the body is in a dynamic state of change
- primary motor activities are evident at birth and are not voluntary (reflexive behaviors designed to gather info and protect the body)
- Voluntary motions begin when the nervous system and muscular system are ready
- Kinematics and kinetics of skills change with development
- ex) until puberty g +b differ very little in structure and physiology BUT changes occur during/after puberty that can have + or - effects on athletic performance (MJ cut from bball team but NBA star)

Question 10

Describe motor learning?

Answer 10

• learning begins in early stages of infancy
• trial and error process in which they attempt new activities
• motor learning focuses primarily on neurological asoects of attaining and retaining motor skills

Question 11

What is Fitz & Posner’s model of motor learning?

Answer 11

3 phases
1. Cognitive phase: movements are slow, inefficient, and controlled consciously. Lots of trial and error and needs high attention levels
2. Associative phase: movements become more fluid, reliable, and efficient. Some parts are controlled autonomously
3. Autononomous phase: movements are highly accurate, efficinet, and consistent. Most are autonomous and allows for “flow state”

Question 12

What is Gentile’s model for motor learning?

Answer 12

2 stages
1. Initial stage: generating a movement pattern to achieve some degree of success
2. Stage 2 Fixation and diversification: adapt movement to specific demands of situation, consistency in achieving goal, and perform with economy of movement