Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

PREFACE
xviii
detailed information (Biomechanical Evaluation of Movement in Sport and Exercise,
Routledge, 2007).
So what do sports biomechanists – or movement analysts – do? We study and analyse
human movement patterns in sport to help people perform their chosen sporting
activity better and to reduce the risk of injury. We also do it because it is so fascinating.
Yes, it is fascinating, otherwise so many of my generation would not still be doing
it. And it is intellectually challenging and personally gratifying – if you can contribute
to reducing an athlete’s injury risk or to improving his or her performance, it gives you a
warm glow. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Indeed it is – a wealth of fascination. So, let us
begin our journey.
This edition is intended to be more reader-friendly than the first. Each chapter starts
with an outline of learning outcomes, and knowledge assumed, which is crossreferenced
mostly to other parts of the book. At the end of each chapter, a summary is
provided of what was covered and eight study tasks are listed. Hints are given about how
to go about each task, including referring to video clips, data tables and other material
available on the book’s website, which is, in itself, another important pedagogical
resource. The website also includes PowerPoint slides for lecturers to use as a basis for
their lectures, and multiple choice questions for students to self-test their learning
progress. Further reading material is also recommended at the end of each chapter.
The production of any textbook relies on the cooperation of many people other than
the author. I should like to acknowledge the invaluable, carefully considered comments
of Dr Melanie Bussey on all the chapters of the book and, particularly, her glossaries
of important terms in each chapter. All those who acted as models for the photographic
illustrations are gratefully acknowledged: former colleagues of mine at Manchester
Metropolitan University in the UK – Drs Vicky Goosey, Mike Lauder and Keith
Tolfrey – and colleagues and students at the University of Otago in New Zealand – Dr
Melanie Bussey, Neil Davis, Nick Flyger, Peter Lamb, Jo Trezise and Nigel Barrett – and
Nigel’s son Bradley; I thank Chris Sullivan for his help with some of the illustrations. I
am also grateful to Raylene Bates for the photo sequence of javelin throwing, to Harold
Connolly for the hammer throwing sequence, to Warren Frost for the one of bowling in
cricket, and to Clara Soper for those of lawn bowling. I should not need to add that any
errors in the book are entirely my responsibility.
Roger Bartlett, Dunedin, New Zealand