Introduction to Sports Biomechanics: Analysing Human Movement ...

STUDY TASKS
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SPORTS MOVEMENTS
1 From the bullet points for each of the four stages of our structured approach to
qualitative movement analysis in Box 2.2, explain briefly the main issues requiring
attention for each ‘first level’ bullet point that is not cross-referenced to another
chapter, and without reference to Appendix 2.1.
Hint: You may wish to refer to Appendix 2.1 (pages 76–8) if you are struggling with
this task.
2 Identify the movement phases into which the long jump can be divided, specify
the boundaries of each phase, and outline the main functions of each phase
(between one and three functions for each phase). Which three of the critical
features on Figures 2.13 to 2.15 would most probably have the greatest effect on
performance?
Hint: You may wish to refer to the deterministic model of the long jump in
pages 62–71 and to Appendix 2.1 before undertaking this task.
3 Show, diagrammatically, the two main rules to be used in moving down one level in
deterministic modelling.
Hint: You may wish to reread the subsection on ‘Principles of deterministic
modelling’ (pages 61–2) before undertaking this task.
4 For one of the following sports activities, a movement phase approach to each
of which is outlined in Appendix 2.2 (pages 81–2), identify the most important
phase from a performance perspective and then derive, and display diagrammatically,
levels 1 to 3 of a deterministic model for that phase. The activities are stroking
in swimming, the volleyball spike and the javelin throw.
Hint: Before undertaking this task, you should read Appendix 2.2 (pages 78–82);
you may also wish to reread the subsection on ‘Principles of deterministic modelling’
and those parts of the subsection ‘Hierarchical model for qualitative analysis of
the long jump’ (pages 62–3) that deal with levels 1 to 3 of that model. You may also
find useful aids in Hay (1993; see Further Reading, page 76).
For the next four study tasks, you will need to choose a sports activity – other than
the long jump – in which you are interested. This need not be the same activity for
each of these tasks, but you will see more continuity – and you will be closer to the
approach movement analysts use in the world of sport – if you do stick to the same
movement throughout these four tasks. I strongly advise you to select an activity
with an objective, rather than a subjective, performance criterion, and one that
is covered on the Coaches’ Information Services (CIS) website (http://coachesinfo.com/)
run by the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports. Also, specify
the age, sex and performance standard of the performer you will consider in the
study tasks below. Assume that a needs analysis with the performer’s coach has
highlighted your need to identify the main factors that contribute to success and
their prioritisation for an intervention strategy.
5 Identify and list all the sources (including the CIS) that you could use to gather
evidence-based information about that particular movement. Summarise, in not
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