Special Topics and Basic movement analysis

Question 1

1. Two main aims of applying Biomechanics to human movement are to?

Answer 1

• Improve performance
  - Sporting / Exercise technique
  - Functions of: movement, work, daily living tasks, disease, disability, etc.
• Reduce injury risk
  - Sport, Exercise, work, daily living tasks, disability, disease, equipment interaction, etc.

Question 2

List four ways a biomechanical movement analysis can be performed.

Answer 2

• Qualitative or Quantitative
• Complex or Basic

Question 3

List or describe several basic biomechanical movement analysis tests or assessments.

Answer 3

• Basic gait assessment
• Sit to stand test; stair climb test; balance assessment; etc.
• Basic technique assessment
• Flexibility / ROM assessment
• Qualitative video analysis

Question 4

List or describe several examples when a basic biomechanical movement analysis could add value to the needs of a client or athlete.

Answer 4

• They are learning a new skill or technique;
• They have movement limitations due to disability or disease;
• They have a persistent, recurring injury;
• They are about to commence an exercise program from a sedentary lifestyle;
• They experience musculo-skeletal pain upon commencement, during or post exercise/work;
• When selecting new equipment;
• Other reasons?

Question 5

Do all movement asymmetries relate to dysfunction and/or injury?

Answer 5

• No, humans are naturally asymmetrical (both in movement and anatomically), and those asymmetries can actually be beneficial at times.

Question 6

If a client demonstrates an asymmetry with no pain, should this asymmetry be rectified? Explain your answer.

Answer 6

• No, leave the asymmetry because it is not seen to be causing pain or problems and adjusting technique/asymmetry can easy induce pain or injury.
• Forcing an unnatural (for them) biomechanical position can = disaster.
• A slight malalignment, body position shifts or goofy foot positioning doesn’t mean a fix or change is needed.

Question 7

As an exercise science graduate, is it beyond your scope of practice to perform a basic movement analysis to screen for asymmetry or movement irregularity?

Answer 7

• No, we can screen for asymmetry, dysfunctional movement / technique or movement associated with injury / pain.
• Perhaps cue / advise correct movement patterns.
• But must remember to refer for specialist analysis!!

Question 8

As an exercise science graduate, is it beyond your scope of practice to prescribe movement pattern (technique) changes to remedy asymmetry or movement irregularity beyond well known, standardised exercise movement patterns? Explain your answer.

Answer 8

• Yes, technique changes can cause injuries/pain and must be delt with by a specialist in that area. We are not experience/trained enough for beyond standard technique critiques

Question 9

Describe how biomechanical features of an Ectomorph body physique could affect sports performance or talent identification.

Answer 9

• Lean, lightweight skeleton, tall & long limbs.
  
  • Suitability:
    
    • Endurance activities
    • Weight restricted / limited sports
    • Projection, hitting, throwing sports

Question 10

Describe how biomechanical features of an Mesomorph body physique could affect sports performance or talent identification.

Answer 10

• Increased muscle mass, larger / heavier skeleton, shorter & shorter limb length
  - Suitability:
  - Strength / Power activities
  - Non-weight restricted / limited sport

Question 11

Describe how biomechanical features of an Endomorph body physique could affect sports performance or talent identification.

Answer 11

• Higher fat mass, heavy skeleton, round shape, generally shorter
  
  • Suitability:
    
    • Some combat / impact activities, can be strong & powerful

Question 12

Provide several examples and explain how being tall or having long limbs can provide a biomechanical advantage to sporting performance.

Answer 12

Tall & long limbs
- Lever advantage
- Rowing, Cricket fast bowling, Golf, Swimming
- Height advantage
- Basketball, Netball, Volleyball
- Reach advantage
- Boxing, Tennis, Soccer goal keeping

Question 13

Provide several examples and explain how being short or having short limbs can provide a biomechanical advantage to sporting performance.

Answer 13

• Height advantage
  - Gymnastics, Diving
  
  • Increased agility o Change of direction speed
    
    • Court & team based sports

Question 14

Provide several examples and explain how a large body mass can provide a biomechanical advantage to sporting performance.

Answer 14

• Collision / combat sports
  - Sumo wrestling, Rugby forward

Question 15

Provide several examples and explain how a small body mass can provide a biomechanical advantage to sporting performance.

Answer 15

• Gymnastics, Ballet, Jockey
• Cycling – hill climbing

Question 16

Explain why each sport science discipline should not be considered / practiced in isolation.

Answer 16

• Improve swimming technique (Biomechanics & Motor control) = less drag resistance (Biomechanics) = reduced HR & Lactate (Exercise Physiology) for same velocity = greater efficiency / economy.

Question 17

With respect to disease and disability, define a biomechanical principle and explain how that principle may relate to movement associated a range of different disabilitiesy and diseases. Note: you can explain a different principle for each disability and disease if you wish. Try to come up with different examples to those presented in the lecture material.

Answer 17

• Diseased:
  
  • Osteoporosis: Increase wt. bearing loading activities
    
    • Engage exercise against gravity or mass resistance
  • Osteoarthritis: Decrease joint loading forces
    
    • Alter stride length & joint ROM
    • Reduce total body fat mass
• Disabled:
  
  • Amputee with prosthetic: Altered stride length & joint loadings
    
    • Gait analysis & training
    • Measure and modify movement
  • Cerebral palsy: Altered stride length & joint loadings
    
    • Gait analysis, surgery & re-training
    • Measure and modify movement