8.1 Definition and Importance of Kinesiology and Biomechanics in sports
Definition of Kinesiology:
- Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement.
- It encompasses the anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical aspects of movement.
- Kinesiology integrates various disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, and psychology to understand how the body moves.
Importance of Kinesiology in Sports:
- Enhances athletic performance by optimizing movement patterns.
- Aids in injury prevention through understanding body mechanics.
- Assists in rehabilitation by providing knowledge on effective recovery strategies.
- Helps in designing training programs tailored to individual needs.
- Facilitates the teaching of fundamental motor skills and techniques.
Definition of Biomechanics:
- Biomechanics is the study of the mechanical laws relating to the movement or structure of living organisms.
- It applies principles of physics to analyze human motion.
Importance of Biomechanics in Sports:
- Improves performance by analyzing and refining techniques.
- Provides insights into injury mechanisms and prevention strategies.
- Aids in equipment design to enhance athletic performance.
- Supports the selection of athletes based on physical capabilities.
- Enhances understanding of body movements and their effects on performance.
8.2 Principles of Biomechanics
The principles of biomechanics are as follows:
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Force-Motion: This principle states that to move or change the motion of an object or body, an external force must be applied. It emphasizes the relationship between force and motion.
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Force-Time: This principle deals with the duration of force application and its impact on the motion of an object or body.
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Inertia: This principle refers to the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
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Range of Motion: This principle relates to the extent of movement possible at a joint or series of joints, influencing the effectiveness of movements in sports.
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Balance: This principle involves the ability to maintain the body’s center of mass over its base of support, which is crucial for stability during athletic performance.
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The Coordination Continuum: This principle emphasizes the importance of coordinating movements across different body segments to achieve efficient and effective performance.
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Segmental Interaction: This principle highlights how different segments of the body work together to produce movement, where the movement of one segment affects the motion of others.
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Optimal Projection: This principle refers to the optimal angle and velocity at which an object should be projected to achieve the maximum distance or height.
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Spin: This principle deals with the rotation of an object about its axis, which can influence its trajectory and behavior in sports.
These principles are foundational for understanding human movement in sports and can be applied to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury.
8.4 Kinetics and Kinematics in Sports
Kinetics in Sports:
- Definition: Kinetics is the study of motion that considers the mass of objects and the external forces acting on them.
- Relation: It aims to determine the relationship between the motion of bodies caused by inertial forces and the mass of the body.
- Study Focus: Kinetics studies the motion caused by forces, gravity, friction, and torque.
- Nature: It seeks to understand the causes of motion and the forces involved.
Kinematics in Sports:
- Definition: Kinematics is the study of motion without considering the forces that cause it.
- Relation: It describes motion in terms of velocity, displacement, time, and acceleration.
- Study Focus: Kinematics is concerned with determining the ‘how’ of motion.
- Nature: It focuses on the description of motion rather than the causes behind it.
In summary, kinetics involves understanding the forces and mass that affect motion, while kinematics focuses on describing the motion itself without considering the underlying forces.
8.5 Body Movements
Here are the types of body movements explained in points:
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Flexion: Bending or flexing a limb, decreasing the angle at the joint (e.g., bending the elbow).
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Extension: Straightening or extending a limb, increasing the angle at the joint (e.g., straightening the elbow).
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Abduction: Moving a limb away from the body’s centerline (e.g., raising the arm sideways).
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Adduction: Moving a limb towards the body’s centerline (e.g., bringing the arm back to the side).
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Rotation: Movement around the long axis of a bone (e.g., turning the head from side to side).
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Circumduction: A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, typically occurring at ball and socket joints (e.g., moving the arm in a circular motion).
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Pronation: Turning the palm down.
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Supination: Turning the palm up.