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EXSC200 Biomechanics of Human Movement
Department of Kinesiology and Sport Studies: Exercise Science
- I. Course Number and Title
- EXSC200 Biomechanics of Human Movement
- II. Number of Credits
- 4 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 3750
- IV. Prerequisites
- BIOL181 (C or better) and KINS180 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- Lecture-Laboratory format includes in-class presentation of content material and laboratory exercises. Each week the class time will be distributed as follows: 2.5 hours lecture; 1 hour laboratory.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course introduces students to basic mechanical principles of physical activity and exercise. The structure, composition, and behavior of basic skeletal and muscular tissue, pathomechanics of injury, adaptation to load and degenerative changes associated with aging are discussed within the scope of scholarly literature.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- define and apply proper anatomical and biomechanical terminology associated with body structures, directional location, and movement;
- describe factors contributing to range of motion, joint actions (concentric, isometric, and eccentric), coordinated movement, muscle action in joint movement;
- demonstrate knowledge of the structural organization, growth, and maturation and it relationship to injury and pathology of basic skeletal tissues;
- evaluate an understanding of basic biomechanical concepts, including mechanical lever systems, stability, and laws of motion;
- apply the concepts of kinetics (forces) and kinematics (motion) and explain their interrelationship and instrumentation commonly used to assess them; and
- analyze and describe different forces which act on the body and relate them to injury and illness through evaluation of current scholarly research.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- What is biomechanics?
- Laboratory Activity - Students assess different walking patterns as demonstrated by their classmates. Students also compare and contrast videos of a single skill (e.g., pitching) by a highly, moderately, and unskilled individual and attempt to describe the differences. Special emphasis in these activities is placed on view perspectives, planes, and distances selected to view these movements.
- Scientific Method and Current Instrumentation in Biomechanics Research
- Kinetic and Kinematics of Human Motion
- Biomechanics of Bone Growth and Development
- Laboratory Activity - Students use bone models to review the bones of the human body. Students identify bones from different categories (long, flat, irregular, and short) and demonstrate and explain how those bones are suited for their biomechanical function.
- Biomechanics of Joint Articulations
- Laboratory Activity - Students use bone and joint models to review the joints of the human body. Students identify and describe the different classification of joints, explain how they are related to their biomechanical function.
- Biomechanics of Skeletal Muscle
- Laboratory Activity - Students use a goniometer to measure the range of motion at joints. Students also determine the maximum weight they can lift beginning at different degrees of flexion.
- Neuromuscular Function
- Biomechanics of Upper Extremity
- Laboratory Activity - Students perform different exercises while in different positions (e.g., pushups in narrow, medium, and wide hand placements) and explain the different in difficulty as it relates to muscle function. Students also review the range of motion measurements for the joints of the upper extremity. Students identify and special emphasis will be placed on levers, effort arm, resistance arm, fulcrum, resistance, and force.
- Biomechanics of Lower Extremity
- Laboratory Activity - Students perform different exercises while in different positions and explain the different in difficulty as it relates to muscle function. Students also review the range of motion measurements for the joints of the lower extremity. Students identify and special emphasis will be placed on levers, effort arm, resistance arm, fulcrum, resistance, and force.
- Posture and Gait Analysis
- Linear Kinematics of Human Movement
- Laboratory Activity - Running kinematics lab: Students examine the association between step length, step rate, and velocity during running as the velocity profile for sprinting. In groups, students perform a linear walk/run task (very slow, slow, medium, fast, and maximal) while other group members count the number of steps taken and the time to complete the task. With this information, all students calculate their velocity, step length, and step rate.
- Angular Kinematics of Human Movement
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Students will be assessed through laboratory reports and homework (20%), in-class and/or online participation, and/or projects as specified in the individual instructor's course format (20%), and exams. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 9/25/2014; New Core 8/2015