Biomechanics is a quantitative field of study within the B discipline of exercise science. This book is intended as an introductory textbook that stresses this quantitative (rather than qualitative) nature of biomechanics. It is hoped that, while stressing the quantification of human movement, this third edition of Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement will also acknowledge those with a limited background in mathematics. The quantitative examples are presented in a detailed, logical manner that highlight topics of interest.
The goal of this book, therefore, is to provide an introductory text in biomechanics that integrates basic anatomy, physics, calculus, and physiology for the study of human movement. We decided to use this approach because numerical examples are meaningful and easily clear up misconceptions concerning the mechanics of human movement.
Organization
This book is organized into three major sections:
- Part I: Foundations of Human Movement;
- Part II: Functional Anatomy; and
- Part III: Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion.
The chapters are ordered to provide a logical progression of material essential toward the understanding of biomechanics and the study of human movement.
Part I, Foundations of Human Movement, includes Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4.
- Chapter 1, Basic Movement Terminology, presents the terminology and nomenclature generally used in biomechanics.
- Chapter 2, Skeletal Considerations for Movement, covers the skeletal system with particular emphasis on joint articulation.
- Chapter 3, Muscular Considerations for Movement, discusses the organization of the muscular system.
- Chapter 4, Neurological Considerations For Movement, the control and activation systems for human movement are presented.
In this edition, some of the foundation material was reorganized and new material was added in areas such as physical activity and bone formation, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, factors influencing force and velocity development in the muscles, and the effect of training on muscle activation.
Part II, Functional Anatomy, includes Chapters 5, 6, 7 and discusses specific regions of the body: the upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk, respectively. Each chapter integrates the general information presented in Part I relative to each region. In this edition, the information on muscles and ligaments was moved from the appendix into the chapter text to facilitate review of muscle and ligament locations and actions. The exercise section was reorganized to provide samples of common exercises used for each region. Finally, the analysis of selected activities at the end of each chapter includes a more comprehensive muscular analysis based on the results of electromyographic studies.
Part III, Mechanical Analysis of Human Motion, includes Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11, in which quantitative mechanical techniques for the analyses of human movement are presented.
- Chapter 8 and 9 present the concepts of linear and angular kinematics. Conventions for the study of linear and angular motion in the analysis of human movement are also detailed in these two chapters. A portion of each chapter is devoted to a review of the research literature on human locomotion, wheelchair locomotion, and golf. These activities are used throughout Part III to illustrate the quantitative techniques presented.
- Chapters 10 and 11 present the concepts of linear and angular kinetics, including discussions on the forces and torques that act on the human body during daily activities. The laws of motion are provided and explained. Included here is a discussion of the forces and torques applied to the segments of the body during motion.
Although the book follows a progressive order, the major sections are generally self-contained. Therefore, instructors may delete or deemphasize certain sections. Parts I and II, for example, could be used in a traditional kinesiology course, and Part III could be used for a biomechanics course.
Features
- Each chapter contains a list of Chapter Objectives to enable the student to focus on key points in the material, and Chapter Outlines provide a guide to the content discussed.
- Boxes are included throughout to highlight important material, and relevant Questions are pulled out to help the student briefly review a concept.
- Chapter Summaries at the end of each chapter recap the major concepts presented.
- Each chapter contains Review Questions, both true/false and multiple choice, to challenge students and help them digest and integrate the material presented.
- A Glossary is presented at each chapter's end, defining terms found in each chapter and to be used as a source of reinforcement and reference.
- Four appendices present information on units of measurement, trigonometric functions, and hands-on data.
- Illustrations of the principles of human movement are easily seen in most sports examples, but in this edition of Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement, new and updated illustrations include applications from ergonomics, orthopedics, and exercise.
- These are supplemented with references from the current biomechanics literature.
With these and the content and features mentioned above, the full continuum of human movement potential is considered.
Product Details
- Hardcover: 491 pages
- Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Third, North American Edition edition (February 12, 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0781791286
- ISBN-13: 978-0781791281
- Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
List Price: $99.95