MA412 Specialization course in biomechanics  (10 ECTS) 

Course facts

Introduction

The course will be taught entirely in English including all communications and exams.

The course will deal with advanced biomechanical analysis of human movement and associated methodologies:

• kinematic and kinetic analysis, inverse dynamics
• muscle activation and force exertion/measurement in static and dynamic contractions
• mechanical properties of force transmitting tissues

Learning outcomes

Students shall:

• demonstrate understanding of the kinematic and kinetic analysis of human motion
• understand analysis of muscle activation during in-vivo human movement
• understand the role of mechanical properties of force bearing tissues for performance, and adaptation to use and disuse

Learning styles and activities

The course will be based on scientific literature. Primary course interaction will be lecture/discussion point-counterpoint format. Relevant readings from the biomechanics literature will require short summary writing. In addition, a workshop will be included where students conduct a mini research project with data sampling, data analysis and interpretation.

Mandatory assignment

Students shall participate actively and sufficiently (80%) in the classes, and must present at least one paper review or other assignment during the course. The presentations/participation will be evaluated "approved" or "not approved".

Assessment

Essay, 14 days. Graded A-F.

• 6500-word (including bibliography). Essay topics will be drawn amongst those addressed during the seminar. 

Please note that essays uploaded to WISEflow will be submitted to the plagiarism prevention service Urkund.

Core material

1 BOOK:
Robertson, D., Gordon, E., Caldwell, G. E., Hamill, J., Kamen, G. & Whittlesey, S. N. (2014). Research methods in biomechanics (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.
* You will find the book in the library here: ORIA

15 ARTICLES FROM ELECTRONIC JOURNALS:

NB! To open electronic articles off campus, you must use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.

Electromyography: Current applications in clinical and athletic settings
Tine Alkjær

Alkjær, T., Raffalt, P., Petersen, N. C. & Simonsen, E. B. (2012). Movement behavior of high-heeled walking: How does the nervous system control the ankle joint during an unstable walking condition? PloS One, 7(5), e37390. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0037390
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Alkjær, T., Simonsen, E. B., Magnusson, S. P., Dyhre-Poulsen, P. & Aagaard, P. (2012). Antagonist muscle moment is increased in ACL deficient subjects during maximal dynamic knee extension. The Knee, 19(5), 633–639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2011.12.006
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Bandak, E., Amris, K., Bliddal, H., Danneskiold-Samsøe, B. & Henriksen, M. (2013). Muscle fatigue in fibromyalgia is in the brain, not in the muscles: A case-control study of perceived versus objective muscle fatigue. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 72(6), 963–966. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202340
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Kinetmatics:
Hannah Rice

Hamill, J. & Gruber, A. H. (2017). Is changing footstrike pattern beneficial to runners? Journal of Sport and Health Science, 6(2), 146-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2017.02.004
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Leskinen, A., Häkkinen, K., Virmavirta, M., Isolehto, J. & Kyröläinen, H. (2009). Comparison of running kinematics between elite and national-standard 1500-m runners. Sports Biomechanics, 8(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763140802632382
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Willwacher, S., Sanno, M. & Brüggerman, G. (2020). Fatigue matters: An intense 10 km run alters frontal and transverse plane joint kinematics in competitive and recreational adult runners. Gait & Posture, 76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.11.016
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Kinetics:
Hannah Rice

Farris D. J. & Sawicki, G. S. (2012). Linking the mechanics and energetics of hopping with elastic ankle exoskeletons. Journal of Applied Physiology, 113, 1862-187. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00802.2012
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Paquette, M. R., Powell, D. W. & DeVita, P. (2020). Age and training volume influence joint kinetics during running. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 31(2), 380-387. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13857
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Rice, H., & Patel, M. (2017). Manipulation of foot strike and footwear increases Achilles tendon loading during running. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(10), 2411-2417. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546517704429
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Introduction to Musculoskeletal Modelling:
Hannah Rice

Ellison, M.A., Kenny, M., Fulford, J., Javadi, A. & Rice, H.M. (2020). Incorporation subject-specific geometry to compare metatarsal stress during running with different foot strike patterns. Journal of Biomechanics, 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109792
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Meardon, S.A., Derrick, T.R., (2014). Effect of step width manipulation on tibial stress during running. Journal of Biomechanics 47(11), 2738-2744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.04.047
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Rajagopal, A., Dembia, C. L., DeMers, M. S., Delp, D. D., Hicks, J. L. & Delp, S. L. (2016). Full-body musculoskeletal model for muscle-driven simulation of human gait. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical  Engineering 63(10), 2068-2079. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2016.2586891
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Running and muscle mechanics
Olivier Seynnes

Baxter, J. R., Novack, T. a, Van Werkhoven, H., Pennell, D. R. & Piazza, S. J. (2012). Ankle joint mechanics and foot proportions differ between human sprinters and non-sprinters. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, 279(1735), 2018-2024. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.2358
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Dorn, T. W., Schache, A. G. & Pandy, M. G. (2012). Muscular strategy shift in human running: Dependence of running speed on hip and ankle muscle performance. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 215(Pt 11), 1944–1956. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.064527
* The article is available online: Click here to download.

Miller, R. H., Umberger, B. R. & Caldwell, G. E. (2012). Limitations to maximum sprinting speed imposed by muscle mechanical properties. Journal of Biomechanics, 45(6), 1092-1097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2011.04.040
* The article is available online: Click here to download.