Biomechanics

Meaning of Biomechanics
Bio + Mechanics
Bio = Living organism
Mechanics = Branch of Physical
science which deals with force acting on a body in static condition or
in moving condition.
Biomechanics: is the study of forces & their effects on human being is
moving or in static condition.
Importance of Biomechanics
1. In Selection and Improvement of Technique
2. To develop new training method
3. To prevent from sports Injuries
4. To develop advanced sports equipment
5. To speedup recovery process
6. For movement economy
7. To improve sports skill
NEWTON LAWS
The three laws of motion were formulated by Newton. These are
described below.
(1) Law of Inertia
• It is the first law of motion.
• According to this law,' "A body at rest will remain at rest and a
body in motion will remain in motion at the same speed and in
the same direction unless acted on by an external force."
Application of 1st Law in Sports :

1. A moving football slows down and then stops. It comes to rest
due to the friction, between ground and the ball.
2. When a basketball is shot, it takes a parabolic path due to
gravity acting on it. The basketball slows down because of air
resistance.
(2) Law of Acceleration

• It is the second law of motion.
• According to this law, "A change in motion is directly
proportional to the force producing it and inversely proportional
to its mass.
Application of 2nd Law in

Sports :
1. If a baseball player hits a ball with double force, the rate at
which the ball will accelerate will be doubled.
2. Hitting a ball with force in tennis
3) Law of Action and Reaction • It is the third law of motion.

• According to this law, "For every action there is an equal and
opposite reaction.
Application of 3rd Law in

Sports :
1. Swimming - Swimmer pushes water backwards and in turn
water pushes swimmer forward.
2. Running- Runner pushes ground backwards and ground pushes
the runner forward.
LEVERS & THEIR APPS:

Levers in our body are formed from bones,
joints muscles.
A lever consists of the following:
..
A rigid structure (bone).
A force is acting upon it (muscle) to produce.
• A turning movement (angular
motion).
• A fulcrum which is a fixed point (joint).
A load or resistance that is placed on the rigid structure (weight of
body part being moved and anything that it is carrying).
Lever's Terminologies:
Fulcrum: Axis
Resistance: Load
Effort: Force
# First class levers have the fulcrum in the middle. Example- Triceps
causing
Extension at the elbow.
When throwing a ball -
• Fulcrum = Elbow
• Effort = Tricep
• Load = Arm/ball
# Second class levers have the load in the middle. - This means a large
load can be moved with relatively low effort.
Example in the body - Gastrocnemius causing plantar flexion at the
ankle.
• E.g. When taking off in high jump/jumping to shoot in basketball
Fulcrum = Ankle joint
Effort = Gastrocnemius
• Load = Body
# Third class levers have the effort in the middle. - This means they
can produce a large range of movement with relatively low effort.
Example in the body - Bicep causing flexion at the elbow
E.g. Performing a bicep curl
Fulcrum = Elbow joint
Effort = Biceps
Load = Arm/weight
Equilibrium
Equilibrium is defined as a state of balance or stable position, where
opposite forces cancel each other out and where no changes are
occurring.
In other words, it is a state in which all influences, forces are

cancelled or counterbalanced by each other i.e. the sum of all opposite
forces acting on it is zero. Thus, it is a scientific term describing
balance and stability.
Types of Equilibrium:
Static Equilibrium:
It is a state of balance that occurs when the body is at rest or in a
motionless position, i.e. when the centre of gravity is in a static
position. For instance, standing on one leg,
sitting on a chair, etc.
Dynamic Equilibrium:
It is a state of balance of all applied forces acting on a moving body.
In simple words, when the moving body is stable and balanced such
that it results in movement with unchanging speed and direction, then
the body is said to be in dynamic equilibrium.
For instance, when a sportsperson is running, or taking part in
gymnastics.
Centre of Gravity
The Centre of Gravity is the point in a body or system around which
its mass or weight is evenly distributed or balanced and through which
the force of gravity acts.
An Athlete's centre of gravity is exact middle of the body.
Application in Sports
'Lowering the centre of gravity' increases balance and stability in
Sports. This is why you can change direction faster.
• Sprints
• Wrestling
• Cricket
Friction
• Friction is a Force.
• It is created whenever two surfaces move or try to move across
each other. It opposes the motion of one surface across another
surface.
Friction is a force that acts parallel to the two surfaces. or In other
words, it is a force that resists the movement.
Friction works in opposite direction of the moving object resulting in
slowing down that moving object. Rough surface produces more
friction and smooth surface
produces less friction.
STATIC FRICTION:
Static friction is friction that exists before an object starts to slide.
SLIDING FRICTION:
Sliding friction: It is friction that is created when the object starts to
slide
ROLLING FRICTION:
Rolling friction is friction when an object rolls on the surface.
FLUID FRICTION:
Fluid friction is friction when the movement of an object or a person
is hindered or meets resistance from water or air.
Projectile
• An object thrown into the space at an acute angle under the
action of gravity is called a projectile.
• There are two forces which act on a projectile - Gravitational
force and air resistance.
• The path followed by a projectile is called trajectory.
Factors Affecting Projectile Trajectory

(1) Initial Velocity
• If the initial velocity is more, the object covers a maximum
distance.
• On the other hand, If the initial velocity is less, the object
covers less distance.
(2) Angle of Projection

• When the object released at the angle of 45°, it covers the
maximum distance.
• On the other hand, If the object released at less than angle of
45°.
• , it covers minimum distance.
(3) Air Resistance

When a projectile moves through the air, it is slowed down by air
resistance.

Biomechanics

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Meaning of Biomechanics

Application of 1st Law in Sports :

(2) Law of Acceleration

Application of 2nd Law in

3) Law of Action and Reaction • It is the third law of motion.

Application of 3rd Law in

LEVERS & THEIR APPS:

In other words, it is a state in which all influences, forces are

An Athlete's centre of gravity is exact middle of the body.

Factors Affecting Projectile Trajectory

(2) Angle of Projection

(3) Air Resistance

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