Sport and Exercise Biomechanics is the area of sport science concerned with the analysis of the mechanics of human movement. It is traditionally divided into the areas of kinetics (the forces acting and resulting loads on body segments) and kinematics (the movements of the body), but also neuromuscular aspects are considered. Sports biomechanists also study the interaction between the performer and sports equipment and environment. Furthermore, they identify the optimal technique to improve sports performance, analyze loading whilst performing a particular sport or exercise task to reduce injury risk and prevent injury, assess muscular recruitment and coordination, study the impact of equipment (e.g. shoes, playing surfaces, racquets, helmets) on movement quality, examine loading characteristics of exercises to improve training and the rehabilitation programs.
To perform these tasks, sports biomechanists utilize various methods which will be demonstrated our biomechanics laboratory (biomekanisk laboratorium), equipped with state-of-the-art measurement devices.

On completion of this course the students will be able to:

• Use kinematic analysis methods to describe technical parameters of human (sports) movements
• Measure, analyze and interpret myoelectric activity of superficial muscles during selected (sports) movements
• Analyze external forces and loads acting on the human body using force plates to quantitatively evaluate the execution of movement skills
• Combine kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic methods to describe (sports) movements
• Understand principles of data acquisition, signal processing and analysis
• Evaluate physical demands of training and competition in (team) sports
• Evaluate force and power curves using robotics and formulate advise for training and/or rehabilitation

The course offers a mix of face-to-face contact, hands-on practical work in the biomechanics laboratory and guided self-study, including lectures, tutorials and other electronically available recourses. This course is above all laboratory course where the students themselves will learn and experience biomechanical data acquisition methods.
After a short theoretical introduction and demonstration, the students will work in small groups in our biomechanics laboratory and collect data of biomechanical parameters relevant for the assessment of human movement in a variety of experimental set-ups.
This modular course will offer the following laboratorial activities:

• Kinematics: movement analysis using biosensors and motion capture systems
• Kinetics: estimation of external forces using force plates and robotics
• Assessment of neuromuscular function and coordination using surface electromyography (EMG)
• Computer simulation modelling through the integration of kinematic, kinetic and EMG data
• Evaluation of physical demands in (team) sports using integrated technology
• Data processing and error estimation

Data collection is carried out in small groups, but the reporting of the results is individual.
In order to get satisfactory learning outcomes, the students are required to prepare and review the theoretical content lectured.

The assessment of the course is made on the basis of the individual written reports and reflects the ability of the student to use biomechanical methods discussed.

1 BOOK:
Payton, C. & Burden, A. (Eds.). (2018). Biomechanical evaluation of movement in sport and exercise: The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences guide (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
* You will find the book in the Library here: ORIA
** The book is also available online: Click here to download.
*** NB! To open the electronic book off campus, you must use the following VPN connection: Click here to download.