Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

INTRODUCTION TO SPORTS BIOMECHANICS
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INTRODUCTION
In this chapter we will mostly explore the use of video analysis – videography – in the
study of sports movement patterns, including the equipment and methods used,
experimental procedures and data processing. Videography is by far the most likely
method of recording movement patterns that an undergraduate student will come
across. The increasing computer control of our main data collection equipment in
sports biomechanics, along with much more accessible software, has lessened our need
for repetitive and tedious calculations, and made mathematical skills less important for
many movement analysts. Basic mathematical skills can improve our understanding of
sports performance in some cases, two of which are introduced towards the end of this
chapter; the first is projectile motion, and the second examines how rotation of a body
generates linear velocities and accelerations. Symbolic representations are used in this
chapter (some people, mistakenly, call this mathematics), but mathematical derivations
are avoided.
BOX 4.1 LEARNING OUTCOMES
After reading this chapter you should be able to:
understand the importance of videography in the study of sports movements
undertake a quantitative video analysis of a sports technique of your choice
understand the important features of video equipment for recording movements in sport
outline the advantages and limitations of two- and three-dimensional recording of sports
movements
list the possible sources of error in recorded movement data
describe and implement experimental procedures that would minimise measurement
inaccuracy in a study of an essentially two-dimensional movement
appreciate how these procedures can be extended and modified to record a threedimensional
movement
understand how ‘noise’ can be removed from videographic data
appreciate the need for accurate body segment inertia parameter data, and some ways in
which these can be obtained
explain the differences between vectors and scalars
calculate the maximum vertical displacement, flight time, range and optimum projection
angle of a simple projectile for specified values of the three projection parameters
understand simple rotation kinematics, including vector multiplication, and the calculation of
linear velocities and accelerations caused by rotation.