Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

of Figures 2.2(b) and (c), and to note that they do not seem to correspond. This led
several movement analysts, me included, to develop three subclasses of principles (see
Appendix 2.1). The first of these – universal principles – apply to all sports movements.
The second – partially general principles – apply to groups of sports movements, such
as those in which the task constraints demand a focus on speed generation or accuracy.
Finally come principles applying to a specific skill, such as javelin throwing (specific
principles).
The ‘deterministic’ or ‘hierarchical’ modelling approach, to which we will return
later in the chapter, incorporates movement principles within a more structured framework,
which should reduce the need to memorise lists of principles.
Nearly all of these approaches focus on qualitative analysis based on identifying
errors in the movement and how to correct them. Unfortunately, whichever approach
has been used, the tendency has been to focus on instantaneous events, such as a leg,
arm or trunk angle at release of an implement. Alas, such ‘discrete parameters’ often tell
us little about the overall movement, the distinctive features of which are its wholeness,
and its coordination or lack of it in novices. One of the aims of this book is to help to
rectify this lack of focus on movement wholeness and coordination. The most convincing
approach to a structured qualitative analysis of sports movements, in my view, is
that of Knudson and Morrison (2002; see Further Reading, page 76), which I have
overviewed and extended in the next five sections, and which is represented diagrammatically
in Figure 2.2(d); this approach is summarised in Box 2.2 and elaborated on in
the next four sections.
BOX 2.2 STAGES IN A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO ANALYSIS OF HUMAN
MOVEMENT IN SPORT
Stage 1 – Preparation
Conducting a ‘needs analysis’ with the people commissioning the study to ascertain what
they want from it.
Gathering knowledge of activity and performers.
Establishing critical features of the movement and, possibly, their range of correctness; this
moves into semi-quantitative analysis (Chapter 1).
Developing a systematic observation strategy for stage 2.
Deciding on other qualitative presentations of movement patterns to be used (Chapter 3).
Knowledge of relevant characteristics of performers.
Knowledge of effective instruction, including cue words and phrases or task sheets, for
stage 4.
Stage 2 – Observation
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SPORTS MOVEMENTS
Implementing the systematic observation strategy developed in stage 1.
Gathering information about movement from the senses and from video recordings.
Focus of observation, for example on phases of movement.
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