biomechanics
Body motion study
Biomechanics is the study of how mechanical principles apply to living organisms, particularly the human body.
The field examines how forces affect biological structures—bones, muscles, joints, tendons—and how those structures move and bear loads.
Athletes and coaches use biomechanics to optimize performance and prevent injury: Her biomechanics coach spotted a flaw in her pitching motion.
The discipline also informs the design of prosthetics, orthopedic treatments, and ergonomic equipment.
Study of movement itself
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- gaitLocomotion pattern
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
- forceStrength or compulsion
torque · momentum · velocity · acceleration · trajectory · center of mass · impulse · rotation
Body position, alignment
- repetitive strainDamage from repeated movement
- carpal tunnelWrist's nerve passageway
- lumbar supportLower spine cushioning
- human factorsStudy of user-system interaction
occupational health · seated posture · standing desk · load bearing · injury prevention
Pertaining to muscles and bones
- jointsSkeletal connection points
- tendonsFibrous connective cords
- ligamentsTough tissue joining bones
- bonesRigid internal support structure
cartilage · spine · skeleton · muscles · connective tissue · fascia · articulation · vertebrae
Recording movement for animation
- EMGMuscle electrical activity test
- electromyographyMuscle electrical activity measurement
- simulationImitation of real processes
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- orthopedicRelating to bone treatment
- prostheticsFabricated body part replacements
- orthoticsWearable alignment devices
- injury assessmentExamining harm's severity
motion capture · physical therapy · joint replacement · ACL reconstruction · clinical assessment · range of motion · muscle imbalance
External skeletal structure
- prosthetic limbsArtificial replacement body parts
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
- humanoidBeing with body like ours
- haptic feedbackSensation from device interaction
Quality of competitive play
- pitchingDelivering toward the plate
- sprintingMaximum-speed locomotion on foot
- golf swingRotational club motion
- tennis serveInitial stroke beginning play
swimming stroke · kicking · stride length · power output · athletic training · injury prevention · bat speed
kinematics
Study of movement itself
- dynamicsStudy of forces
- gaitLocomotion pattern
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
force · torque · momentum · velocity · acceleration · trajectory · center of mass · impulse · rotation · displacement
posture
Body position, alignment
- repetitive strainDamage from repeated movement
- carpal tunnelWrist's nerve passageway
- lumbar supportLower spine cushioning
human factors · occupational health · seated posture · standing desk · load bearing · injury prevention
musculoskeletal
Pertaining to muscles and bones
bones · cartilage · spine · skeleton · muscles · connective tissue · fascia · articulation · vertebrae · pelvis
motion capture
Recording movement for animation
- EMGMuscle electrical activity test
- electromyographyMuscle electrical activity measurement
- simulationImitation of real processes
rehabilitation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- orthopedicRelating to bone treatment
- prostheticsFabricated body part replacements
- orthoticsWearable alignment devices
injury assessment · motion capture · physical therapy · joint replacement · ACL reconstruction · clinical assessment · range of motion · muscle imbalance
exoskeleton
External skeletal structure
- prosthetic limbsArtificial replacement body parts
- actuatorsMovement-producing mechanisms
- humanoidBeing with body like ours
sports performance
Quality of competitive play
- pitchingDelivering toward the plate
- sprintingMaximum-speed locomotion on foot
- golf swingRotational club motion
swimming stroke · tennis serve · kicking · stride length · power output · athletic training · injury prevention · bat speed
- academic fieldsmathematics, chemistry, physics, history, philosophy
- athletic trainingcoaching, drills, personal training, workouts, practice
- balanceequilibrium, balancing, harmony, stability, symmetry
- bio-biography, biodegradable, biofuel, biochemistry, biome
- Mechanical Engineeringmechanical engineer, design engineer, valves, motors, aerospace engineer
- sports sciencesports science, exercise science, kinesiology, sports medicine, sports psychology
biomechanicsanatomy
Study of organism structure
morphology · gross anatomy · biochemistry · histology · form
biomechanicsmechanical engineering
Design of machines and systems
classical mechanics · rigid body dynamics · robotics · structural engineering