Biomechanics for Dummies

What biomechanics means, and why it matters

Came from Ancient Greek, biomechanics has become a study of living organisms' mechanical principles, structures, and movements. While representing a field of human and biological science, the study of principles of biomechanics is gaining popularity among various medical organizations and universities across the world.

At the same time, the benefits of biomechanics can be observed throughout the different spheres, including physical therapy, sports, and even in just improving human physical performance. Furthermore, the involvement of mechanical engineers focusing on the implementation of biomechanical principles in medical environments creates increased efficiency for patients in defining the proper treatment.

What is biomechanics in simple terms?

There can be found many definitions of biomechanics exploring the true meaning of the concept. In simple terms, biomechanics is the study and science, analyzing the function of humans’ body structures and their reaction to external forces while creating movements. To learn the human body's capabilities and limitations, scientists and engineers apply physics, engineering principles, and other math analyses in the field of biomechanics.

What are the key 5 principles of biomechanics?

Biomechanics helps individuals improve their performance by providing guidance on various techniques, development, and improvement of equipment and machines. While being professionals in the field of biomechanics, mechanical engineers can utilize biomechanical principles, illustrating human movement and skills execution to enhance physical performance.

Below are the fundamental principles of biomechanics:

• Motion is the process of body movement or a changing position in space. Motion can be classified as linear, rotary, and general.
• Force is an impetus or effort produced by a person or an object that changes its direction.
• Momentum is a dynamic concept which measures the mass of an object and its speed when it moves.
• Levers are formed by muscles and make it possible for the human body to move.
• Balance is such a body position that ensures stability and prevents failure.

While acknowledging the biomechanical terms and principles, mechanical engineers can have a deeper understanding of the role of biomechanics in various spheres.

Why does biomechanics matter?

The human body is a complex system. For instance, experiencing pain in one part of a body can be caused by a muscle or tendon in a completely different body structure. Therefore, by learning how the human body can move naturally, it is possible to prevent undesirable stress and extra pressure on the bones, muscles, and joints. That is why understanding biomechanics is an essential approach in learning how to move correctly or prevent injury and rehabilitate, as well as to enhance athletic performance and general well-being.

Below are major benefits of proper implementation of biomechanics:

• Preventing imbalance of muscles
• Eliminating tearing of joints and ligaments
• Improving physical movement performance
• Enhancing sports techniques

Thus, with the proper biomechanics, it is possible to obtain great physical results while reducing the occurrence of injuries and stress.

Biomechanics physical therapy

Recently, biomechanics has become increasingly popular in physical therapy. Particularly, many scientists study how musculoskeletal disorders such as joint pain, muscular dystrophy, and others can affect human movements. According to the statistics, about 127 million Americans (about one in two over the age of 18) are experiencing a musculoskeletal disorder that affects function and mobility. Biomechanical analysis and evaluation can serve in addressing these issues while focusing on the application of engineering principles.

Notably, mechanical engineers can generate movement simulations by applying motion capture, ground reaction force measurement, and walking mechanics assessment. While creating predictive and biomechanical simulations, mechanical engineers can improve the functional ability of individuals who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. With the usage of predictive simulations, created computer models can illustrate how the musculoskeletal system can respond to various treatments.

Additionally, while utilizing 3D motion analysis, medical imaging, and computer simulations, mechanical engineers can improve the development of predictive simulations, which can significantly help understand musculoskeletal disorders and find corresponding individual treatments. Furthermore, while applying computational biomechanics, streamlining patient-specific musculoskeletal model structuring, mechanical engineers can create simulations of such complex human movements as produced by the wrist and hand or foot and ankle that can significantly improve the functional ability of the amputee population.

Biomechanics in sports

As a subfield within biomechanics, sports biomechanics can serve in analyzing the physiological mechanics of human movements. Specifically, sport and exercise biomechanics aims to clarify how forces affect the human body, how an athlete interacts within that environment and with the equipment.

In general, biomechanics in sports can deliver various benefits:

1. Biomechanics can help prevent an injury and can be helpful in recovering from the one if it occurs.
2. For runners, an assessment of video illustrating how athletes’ feet hit the ground can help identify the type of strike obtained and adjust the future patterns of exercising.
3. In baseball, the implementation of biomechanical principles can help assess the degree of pressure posed on a baseball player’s elbow and measure the potential occurrence of future injury.
4. Biomechanics can help athletes to correct their forms and improve their physical performance.

Despite the mentioned above benefits, the usage of biomechanical principles can significantly help coaches and organizations in the world of sports. While having an in-depth understanding of biomechanics, coaches can implement the proper techniques that can prevent athletes from numerous injuries while helping them improve their performance.

Conclusion

Biomechanics has become extremely popular across various industries and spheres as a study exploring human movement. The vital role of biomechanical principles can be observed in the injury prevention and recovery process as well as in medical institutions in general practice. In terms of increased adoption of biomechanical tenets, the cooperation of mechanical engineers with doctors can create improved efficiency in patients’ treatment. That is why more and more medical organizations and educational institutions all over the world pay close attention to studying biomechanics.