Outline

Overview

This unit aims to develop the biomechanical skills to analyse and evaluate human movement. Biomechanical principles include: kinematics, vectors, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, power, and momentum; for both translational and rotational motion; and the influence of fluids on motion. Emphasis is placed on developing real-world clinical biomechanical and sports science industry skills using analytical problem-solving techniques and calculations. The laboratory classes complement the lectures; providing interactive opportunities to learn technical skills for data collection, data analysis, and interpretation for a broad range of human movement activities.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alycia Fong Yan, alycia.fongyan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Alycia Fong Yan, alycia.fongyan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Suzi Edwards, suzi.edwards@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam End of semester exam: all topics and material weeks 1-12 assessed	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Preliminary Mathematics Quiz Mathematics quiz to determine level of mathematics skills.	0%	Week 01	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Kinematics of Sport Performance The group performs a 2D movement analysis and writes a client report	25%	Week 05 Due date: 01 Sep 2023 at 23:59	500-650 words
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	QUIZ 1 Quiz weeks 1-5	5%	Week 06	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Kinetics of Sports Performance Group analysis of a sporting task using force plate data and written report	25%	Week 09 Due date: 06 Oct 2023 at 23:59	500-650 words
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	QUIZ 2 Quiz: Weeks 1-11	5%	Week 12	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Preliminary Maths Quiz – Mathematics quiz to determine level of mathematics skills. Students must score 90% or more and can attempt the quiz multiple times. Scores below 90% will require students to enrol in the Maths Learning Hub workshops
Kinematics of Sport Performance – Groups of students will perform a 2D movement analysis on a sporting task and write a 500-650 word report providing recommendations for improving the performance outcome.
Kinetics of Sports Performance – Groups of students will compare two conditions of a sporting task using force plate data and write a 500-650 word report providing recommendations for optimising the performance outcomes.
Two small in-class quizzes will be completed online during class time in week 6 and week 12
End of semester exam will be a pen and paper exam run in the end of semester exam period

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
High Distinction	85-100
Distinction	75-84
Credit	65-74
Pass	50-64
Fail	0-49	Unsatisfactory level of performance

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All assessments are compulsory. Failure to submit an assessment will result in an absent fail (AF) grade for the unit of study. For every calendar day up to and including ten (10) calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work (i.e., exam or in-class quiz) submitted more than ten (10) calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. Failure to submit an assessment (i.e., exam or in-class quiz) by the due date will require an application for Special Consideration, or marks will be deducted in accordance with the university marking policy as stated above.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	LECTURE: Introduction to Biomechanics • Course Description/overview Principles of Linear Kinematics 1 • Introduction to the major quantitative descriptors of motion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	LECTURE: Principles of Linear Kinematics 2 • Learn the concepts of displacement, velocity and acceleration • Introduction to silicon coach and 2D filming • Interpret kinematic graphs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	PRACTICAL: Kinematics of Sport Performance (1hr) • 2D filming • Data collection of a sports movement	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	LECTURE: Applications of Linear Kinematics: a. Apply Equations of constant acceleration to analyse Projectile Motion b. Kinematics of walking, running and jumping	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	TUTORIAL: Gait Analysis and Projectile Motion (2 hr) -2D video analysis -Basic identification gait asymmetry, learn the relationships between fundamental gait variables -Projectile motion calculations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	LECTURE: Momentum & Impulse • Apply the principle of Conservation of momentum in predicting collision kinematics • Understand how force and time interact to change the velocity of movement. LECTURE: Linear Kinetics 1 • Understand forces and how they cause motion • Apply Newton’s Laws, Equilibrium to basic musculoskeletal systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	2D Motion analysis - Understand the variables that characterise basketball shooting performance - Learn how to use software to analyse 2D video - Learn how to export data into Excel - Learn how to graph data for optimal communication to athletes and coaches	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	LECTURE: Linear Kinetics 2 • Conceptualise loads on musculoskeletal systems as Free Body Diagrams • Analysis of force at a single instant in time using Newton’s Laws and Free Body Diagrams	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	TUTORIAL: Linear Kinetics Tutorial (1 hr) -solve dynamic problems on moving bodies and musculoskeletal systems, using free body diagrams to conceptualise the loads on the system. A key application is to study the lower limb during gait.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	QUIZ 1: Online quiz for assessment LECTURE: Angular Kinematics • Types of motion (translation, rotation and general motion) • Angular displacement, velocity and acceleration and relationship between angular and linear motion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Tutorial: Angular Kinematics 1 hr -Solving problems on rotation, from conceptual problems to basic applications in sports. Practical: Gait Force Profile (1hr) - analyse and interpret ground reaction force data during gait	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	LECTURE: Energy, Work and Power • Understand the meaning of energy, work, and power • Identify powerful types of human motion, relate to types of muscle contraction • Apply these concepts to analyse and predict motion in various human activities • Understand the energy exchanges in various human activities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	PRACTICAL: Countermovement Jump Data Collection 2hr	Practical (2 hr)
Week 08	LECTURE: Centre of Mass & Balance • Quantify the concept of balance and apply it in various human movement situations LECTURE: Torque and Leverage • Demonstrate that torque is rotationally analogous to force • Leverage, moment arms, and mechanical advantage	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	TUTORIAL: CMJ data analysis 1hr - Understand the calculation of variables that characterise the countermovement jump performance	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	LECTURE: Static equilibrium (angular) • Understand the concept of equilibrium and how it relates to the human body	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	TUTORIAL: Torque/Leverage: Learn how torque, moment arm, and moment of inertia apply in almost every movement task. Students also learn to measure the moment arms of muscles, to understand the concept of mechanical advantage. PRACTICAL: Muscle testing in sport 1hr	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	LECTURE: Moment of Inertia & Angular Momentum • Explain how changes in body posture may alter the body’s moment of inertia. LECTURE: Conservation of Energy • Apply the conservation of energy to understand human movement efficiency • Understand the energy exchanges in various human activities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	LECTURE: Fluid Biomechanics • Understand the different properties of fluid mechanics in the context of movement and equipment used in sports	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	PRACTICAL: Angular Kinetics in Gait - Perform 2D gait analysis of running - Calculate angular kinematic variables	Practical (1 hr)
Week 12	QUIZ 2: Online quiz for assessment LECTURE: Rotational Energy Work and Power • Apply the concepts of energy, work, and power to human activities that involve rotation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	TUTORIAL: Angular Kinetics: Solve problems using torque and moment of inertia on everyday tasks that involve the lifting of lifting of loads through actions such as knee extension, bicep curls. More complex motions such as initiating somersaults are also studied.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	LECTURE: Review of unit of study content for final exam preparation. Open for Q&A	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are strongly recommended to attend all lectures, tutorials, and practicals. Attendance at practical classes is a crucial component of the two group assignments, as the data analysed will be collected during class time.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Students are required to refer to the relevant sections in the following text books:

Hall SJ (2015) Basic Biomechanics 7th Ed, New York: McGraw-Hill. prescribed text.
Hamill J and Knutzen KM (2014) Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement 4th. Ed., Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the theories, laws, concepts and terms governing the kinematics and kinetics of human movement
LO2. Solve conceptual and mathematical problems related to the kinematics and kinetics of human movement
LO3. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement in the context of health, exercise, sport and activities of daily living in a variety of populations.
LO4. Explain the nature of biomechanical problems and how qualitative and/or quantitative analysis can be interpreted to develop and implement intervention strategies relevant to the movement context.
LO5. Demonstrate basic skill in conducting and interpreting basic biomechanical measurements relevant to clients’ needs.
LO6. Communicate scientific data and movement techniques to clients, colleagues and other professionals with appropriate use of illustrations and user-friendly terms.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 2.2.1.1. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of movement analysis knowledge and skills 2.2.1.3. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment. 2.2.2. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement to activities of daily living across a broad range of populations. 5.2.2. Explain the relationship of structure (including micro and macro) with function, force and movement.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 2.2.2. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement to activities of daily living across a broad range of populations.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 2.2.2. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement to activities of daily living across a broad range of populations. 2.2.3. Analyse biomechanical problems and develop and implement relevant intervention strategies to the movement context. 2.2.4. Choose and interpret biomechanical measurements relevant to client’s needs. 2.2.5. Choose and apply appropriate communication to explain scientific data and movement techniques to clients and other professionals. 2.2.6. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns important for performance improvement and injury prevention.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 2.2.1.1. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of movement analysis knowledge and skills 2.2.1.3. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment. 2.2.2. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement to activities of daily living across a broad range of populations. 2.2.4. Choose and interpret biomechanical measurements relevant to client’s needs. 2.2.5. Choose and apply appropriate communication to explain scientific data and movement techniques to clients and other professionals. 2.2.6. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns important for performance improvement and injury prevention.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 14.2.2. Use research databases to access peer-reviewed scientific literature and conduct searches to identify relevant information. 14.2.5. Select and apply basic data analysis techniques appropriate to exercise science subdisciplines. 2.2.2. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement to activities of daily living across a broad range of populations. 2.2.3. Analyse biomechanical problems and develop and implement relevant intervention strategies to the movement context. 2.2.4. Choose and interpret biomechanical measurements relevant to client’s needs. 2.2.5. Choose and apply appropriate communication to explain scientific data and movement techniques to clients and other professionals. 2.2.6. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns important for performance improvement and injury prevention. 5.2.2. Explain the relationship of structure (including micro and macro) with function, force and movement. 5.2.6. Analyse and evaluate results from static and dynamic assessments and provide recommendations for exercise prescription.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) - 14.2.2. Use research databases to access peer-reviewed scientific literature and conduct searches to identify relevant information. 14.2.4. Cite the research of others in written and oral communication 14.2.5. Select and apply basic data analysis techniques appropriate to exercise science subdisciplines. 2.2.2. Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement to activities of daily living across a broad range of populations. 2.2.3. Analyse biomechanical problems and develop and implement relevant intervention strategies to the movement context. 2.2.4. Choose and interpret biomechanical measurements relevant to client’s needs. 2.2.5. Choose and apply appropriate communication to explain scientific data and movement techniques to clients and other professionals. 2.2.6. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns important for performance improvement and injury prevention. 5.2.2. Explain the relationship of structure (including micro and macro) with function, force and movement. 5.2.6. Analyse and evaluate results from static and dynamic assessments and provide recommendations for exercise prescription.

Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards (2022) -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
14.2.2		Use research databases to access peer-reviewed scientific literature and conduct searches to identify relevant information.
14.2.4		Cite the research of others in written and oral communication
14.2.5		Select and apply basic data analysis techniques appropriate to exercise science subdisciplines.
2.2.1.1		Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of movement analysis knowledge and skills
2.2.1.3		Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment.
2.2.2		Apply the principles of the biomechanical analysis of human movement to activities of daily living across a broad range of populations.
2.2.3		Analyse biomechanical problems and develop and implement relevant intervention strategies to the movement context.
2.2.4		Choose and interpret biomechanical measurements relevant to client’s needs.
2.2.5		Choose and apply appropriate communication to explain scientific data and movement techniques to clients and other professionals.
2.2.6		Identify specific aspects of movement patterns important for performance improvement and injury prevention.
5.2.2		Explain the relationship of structure (including micro and macro) with function, force and movement.
5.2.6		Analyse and evaluate results from static and dynamic assessments and provide recommendations for exercise prescription.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback the lectures are delivered face-to-face and greater time has been provided for the countermovement jump data collection. The group assessment rubric has been slightly altered in response to student concerns around group work.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

EXSS1038: Principles of Biomechanics

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links