Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Medical Devices
Open Access

Biomechanics: The Mechanics Involved in the Human Movement

James Walker^{* *}Correspondence: James Walker, Department of Surgery University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, Pittsburgh, USA, Email:

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Description

Biomechanics is a multidisciplinary field that applies the principles of mechanics to the study of living organisms. The goal of biomechanics is to understand how the structures and functions of the human body interact with the environment to generate movement. Biomechanics is a vital field in healthcare, sports science, rehabilitation, and prosthetics. In this article, we will discuss the principles of biomechanics and their applications.

Principles of biomechanics

Biomechanics applies the principles of mechanics, such as force, torque, motion, and deformation, to the study of living organisms. Some of the fundamental principles of biomechanics is the Newtons law of motion.

The first law dictates that unless an outside force acts upon an object, it will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line. The second law relates the force applied to an object to its acceleration. The third law dictates that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In biomechanics, these laws are applied to understand how forces act on the human body during movement. For example, the second law can be used to calculate the force required to accelerate a limb during running or jumping.

Kinematics

Kinematics refers to the analysis of motion without taking the forces behind the motion into account. In biomechanics, kinematics is used to describe the position, velocity, and acceleration of body segments during movement. Motion analysis can provide valuable insights into the coordination and timing of movement patterns. For example, kinematic analysis can be used to study the movements of a tennis player's arm during a serve to identify the most efficient technique for generating power and accuracy.

Kinetics

The forces that cause motion are studied in kinetics. In biomechanics, kinetics is used to understand the forces generated by the muscles and joints during movement. Kinetic analysis can provide valuable insights into the load on joints and muscles and can be used to optimize movement patterns and prevent injuries. For example, kinetic analysis can be used to study the forces generated by the quadriceps muscles during a squat to identify the most efficient technique for building strength and reducing the risk of knee injuries.

Applications of biomechanics

Biomechanics has a wide range of applications in healthcare, sports science, rehabilitation, and prosthetics. Some of the key applications of biomechanics are:

Injury prevention

Biomechanics is used to understand the forces that act on the human body during movement and to identify the risk factors for injury. This information can be used to develop injury prevention programs that target the underlying biomechanical issues.

For example, biomechanical analysis can be used to identify the risk factors for knee injuries in soccer players and to develop training programs that target the specific muscle groups and movement patterns that contribute to the injury risk.

Rehabilitation

Biomechanics is used to develop rehabilitation programs that optimize movement patterns and reduce the risk of re-injury. Biomechanical analysis can provide valuable insights into the load on joints and muscles and can be used to identify the most effective exercises for rehabilitating specific injuries.

For example, biomechanical analysis can be used to develop a rehabilitation program for a patient with a rotator cuff injury that targets the specific muscle groups and movement patterns that are affected by the injury.

Sports performance

Biomechanics is used to optimize sports performance by identifying the most efficient movement patterns for generating power, speed, and accuracy. Biomechanical analysis can provide valuable insights into the coordination and timing of movement patterns and can be used to develop training programs that target the underlying biomechanical issues.