SPORT STUDIES – BIOMECHANICS
WORD: DEFINITION:
Biomechanics The study of motion and effects of
forces that relate to the body
motion Movement that occurs when an
object has changed position in
space and time due to the
application of forces
Linear motion Where movement is along a
straight line, there is no rotation all
body parts move in the same
direction at the same speed
Angular motion Where all parts of the body move
through a rotational pathway,
through the same angle, in the
same direction at the same time
General motion Combination of linear and angular
motion
Projectile motion the motion of an object thrown or
projected into the air, that is
subject to only the acceleration of
gravity
Distance Refers to how far you have
travelled from your start to finish
position
Displacement Measures the overall change in
position of a person and is
measured in magnitude and
direction
Speed The measure of the distance an
object travels per unit of time
Acceleration The rate of which the velocity of a
body changes with respect to time
Speed formula= distance/time
Velocity formula: displacement/time
Acceleration formula: change in velocity/time
definitions of the following terms:
linear motion: Where movement is along a straight line, there is no
rotation all body parts move in the same direction at the same speed
angular motion: Where all parts of the body move through a rotational
pathway, through the same angle, in the same direction at the same time
general motion: Combination of linear and angular motion
projectile motion: the motion of an object thrown or projected into the
air, that is subject to only the acceleration of gravity
application of linear motion to sport in relation to:
- speed:
- formula= speed= distance/time
-
- Velocity:
- Formula= displacement/time
- Acceleration:
- formula= final velocity-initial velocity/ time
application of projectile motion to sport in relation to:
- optimal projection:
- parabolic trajectory:
- release of projectiles:
- angle of release:
- velocity/speed of release: the greater the speed of release, the
greater distance a projectile will care
- this is the most critical factor when maximising the distance travelled
- height of release: the greater the height of release of a projectile,
the greater the horizontal distance it will cover, provided all other
factors are equal
-
definition of the principle of balance and how it applies to sport
in relation to:
mass of object:
- greater mass=more stability
height of centre of gravity:
- lower your centre of gravity is, the more stable you are
line of centre of gravity:
- Closer the line of gravity is to the middle= more stability
- Base of support: all body pats that touch the ground
- static balance= holding a stationry position
eg. Handstand
- dynamic balance= ability to hold a moving position to execute an
outcome
eg riding a surfboard
definition of Newton’s First, Second and Third Laws of Motion:
Newtons 1st law states a body continues in its state of motion unless
acted upon by force
Newton’s 2nd law states the acceleration of a body is proportional to the
force applied to it and inversely proportional to the object’s mass
Newton’s 3rd law states that for every action there’s an equal and
opposite reaction
how they apply to sporting contexts
definition of the three classes of levers
▪axis (fulcrum) = the point around which the lever rotates
resistance /arm(load) = the distance between the fulcrum and the
centre of the resistance
force (effort)= the distance between the fulcrum and the centre of the
resistance
