This text provides a firm foundation in the biomechanical methods and tools necessary for quantifying human movements.
Research Methods in Biomechanics is an invaluable resource for developing and seasoned researchers wishing to hone their skills and learn new techniques in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.
The reference shows how the laws of motion are applied to complex human movements. The text demonstrates how to combine segments to obtain limb or total-body measures. All the material is presented in such a way that you need only basic knowledge of Newtonian mechanics and vector algebra to benefit.
The easy-to-navigate book is organized into 11 chapters and three parts.
Part 1 describes the kinematics of motion using 2- and 3-D analyses.
Part 2 considers the kinetics of motion with respect to quantifying forces, work, impulse, and power. Both 2- and 3-D analyses are again provided, as well as methods to directly and indirectly measure forces.
Part 3 examines numerous additional techniques to quantify motion, including electromyography, muscle modeling, and computer simulation.
Research Methods in Biomechanics contains extensive tables, reference materials, and other features that will enhance your understanding of the material:
- Each chapter begins with objectives that enable you to quickly access different topics.
- Exercises appear throughout the text, allowing you to test your skills.
- Key terms are highlighted and defined in a handy glossary.
- Current studies from scholarly journals are analyzed to demonstrate how different methods and techniques apply in actual research experiments.
- Suggested readings provide direction for deeper study.
This text will help you test your skills in using a variety of research methods and apply the requirements and steps necessary for valid data collection. It is a must-have for biomechanics professionals, researchers, and students.
Introduction Biomechanics Analysis Techniques: A Primer
What Tools Are Needed in Biomechanics?
Applications of the Principles of Biomechanics: An Example
Numerical Accuracy and Significant Digits
Part I. Kinematics
Chapter 1. Planar Kinematics
- Description of Position
- Degrees of Freedom
- Kinematic Data Collection
- Linear Kinematics
- Angular Kinematics
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 2. Three-Dimensional Kinematics
- Scalars, Vectors, and Matrices
- Collection of Three-Dimensional Data
- Coordinate Systems
- Marker Systems
- Determination of the Local Coordinate System
- Transformations Between Reference Systems
- Joint Angles
- Segment Angles
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Part II: Kinetics
Chapter 3. Body Segment Parameters
- Methods for Measuring and Estimating Body Segment Parameters
- Two-Dimensional (Planar) Computational Methods
- Three-Dimensional (Spatial) Computational Methods
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 4. Forces and Their Measurement
- Force
- Newton’s Laws
- Free-Body Diagrams
- Types of Forces
- Moment of Force, or Torque
- Linear Impulse and Momentum
- Angular Impulse and Momentum
- Measurement of Force
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 5. Two-Dimensional Inverse Dynamics
- Planar Motion Analysis
- Numerical Formulation
- General Plane Motion
- Method of Sections
- Human Joint Kinetics
- Applications
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 6. Energy, Work, and Power
- Energy, Work, and the Laws of Thermodynamics
- Conservation of Mechanical Energy
- Ergometry: Direct Methods
- Ergometry: Indirect Methods
- Mechanical Efficiency
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 7. Three-Dimensional Kinetics
- Laboratory Setup
- Data Required for Three-Dimensional Analysis
- Sources of Error in Three-Dimensional Calculations
- Three-Dimensional Kinetics Calculations
- Presentation of the Data
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Part III: Additional Techniques
Chapter 8. Electromyographic Kinesiology
- Physiology of the Electromyographic Signal
- Recording and Acquiring the Electromyographic Signal
- Analyzing and Interpreting the Electromyographic Signal
- Applications of Electromyographic Techniques
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 9. Muscle Modeling
- The Hill Muscle Model
- Musculoskeletal Models
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 10. Computer Simulation of Human Movement
- Overview: Modeling As a Process
- Why Simulate Human Movement?
- General Procedure for Simulations
- Free-Body Diagrams
- Differential Equations
- Model Derivation: Lagrange’s Equation of Motion
- Numerical Solution Techniques
- Control Theory
- Limitations of Computer Models
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 11. Signal Processing
- Characteristics of a Signal
- Fourier Transform
- Wavelet Transform
- Sampling Theorem
- Ensuring Circular Continuity
- Smoothing Data
- Summary
- Suggested Readings
Appendix A. International System of Units
Appendix B. Selected Factors for Converting Between Units of Measure
Appendix C. Basic Electronics
Appendix D. Vector Operations
Appendix E. Matrix Operations
Appendix F. Numerical Integration of Double Pendulum Equations
Appendix G. Derivation of Double Pendulum Equations
Appendix H. Discrete Fourier Transform Subroutine
Appendix I. Shannon’s Reconstruction Subroutine
Reference for biomechanics professionals, researchers, motor behaviorists, MDs, DCs, ODs, and biomechanical professionals and ergonomists; text for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in biomechanics methods courses.
D. Gordon E. Robertson, PhD, wrote Introduction to Biomechanics for Human Motion Analysis and coauthored Canadian Foundations of Physical Education, Recreation and Sport Studies. He has taught undergraduate- and graduate-level biomechanics at the University of British Columbia and currently teaches at the University of Ottawa. He is also Web page editor for the Canadian Society for Biomechanics.
Dr. Joseph Hamill (fellow of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; American College of Sports Medicine; and American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education) is coauthor of a popular undergraduate textbook, Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement. He teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level biomechanics and is director of the exercise science department at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Dr. Graham E. Caldwell (fellow of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics) teaches undergraduate- and graduate-level biomechanics at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and previously held a similar faculty position at the University of Maryland. He is a winner of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics New Investigator Award, and in 1998 he won the Outstanding Teacher Award for the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Recently he served as an associate editor for Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
Dr. Gary Kamen (fellow of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and American College of Sports Medicine) is author of an undergraduate textbook on kinesiology,Introduction to Exercise Science. He is former president of the Research Consortium of AAPHERD and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in motor behavior and motor control in the exercise science department at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Dr. Saunders (Sandy) N. Whittlesey is a research associate at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has a background in mathematics, engineering, and electronics and works as a technical consultant for FootJoy and Titleist.
Subscribe to feed
