Introductory Course on Sports Biomechanics and Applications

Sports biomechanics is a diverse interdisciplinary field, with branches in Physical Anthropology, Orthopedics, Bioengineering and Human Performance. The general role of Sports Biomechanics is to understand the mechanical cause-effect relationships that determine the motions of sportsmen in particular. Sports biomechanics contributes to the description, explanation, and prediction of the mechanical aspects of human exercise, sport and play. Sports biomechanics applies the laws of mechanics and physics to human performance, in order to gain a greater understanding of performance in athletic events through modeling, simulation and measurement.  The sports performance realms include the conventional areas of sports and exercise, and also field of fundamental motor skills and other highly specialized human movements. It is necessary to have a good understanding of the application of physics to sport, as physical principles such as motion, resistance, momentum and friction play a part in most sporting events. The scientific field of sports biomechanics sets out to generate and distribute knowledge to improve human performance and reduce the incidence of injury. The emphasis is on the practical implications and applications of research, it seeks to benefit practitioners, especially scientists, coaches, clinicians, teachers, and participants. This field of study lays emphasis on a broad biomechanical spectrum of human performance which includes: technique, skill acquisition, training, strength and conditioning, exercise, coaching, teaching, equipment, modeling and simulation, measurement, and injury prevention and rehabilitation.