Outline

Overview

A review of kinematics, kinetics, and EMG will be undertaken at the beginning of the unit in preparation for the applications. The course offers an introduction to some of the issues in clinical biomechanics, including: gait, activities of daily living, musculoskeletal and injury biomechanics, postural control. It will further develop the understanding of biomechanics through clinical applications, including normal and pathological gait, gait maturation and gait alterations in older adults. The mechanical properties of tissues and the influence of exercises and rehabilitation on tissue development and health will be discussed in relation to injury occurrence and prevention. This unit of study will be offered on campus supported with Blackboard resources.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	EXSS5051
Academic unit	Movement Sciences
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Anatomy; biomechanics/physics.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alycia Fong Yan, alycia.fongyan@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Case study Written task	20%	Week 02	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Mid semester test Short answer and MCQ	15%	Week 03 Due date: 07 Sep 2020 at 09:00 Closing date: 07 Sep 2020	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Task analysis project Written report	25%	Week 05	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Final exam (Open book)	Final exam Short answer and MCQ	40%	Week 08 Due date: 03 Oct 2020 at 09:00 Closing date: 03 Oct 2020	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Qualitative analysis of a movement – individual selection of movement, video recording and written report
The exam will cover all material in the unit from both lectures, tutorial and practical classes up to the mide semester exam date. The exam will have a mixture of multiple choice questions and short answer questions.
Quantitative 3D analysis of gait comparing kinematic and kinetic variables – individual selection of topic and appropriate variables
The exam will cover all material in the unit from both lectures, tutorial and practical classes. The exam will have a mixture of multiple choice questions and short answer questions.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or exclude late penalties only if expressly stated below.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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	1. Introduction; 2. Human movement analysis techniques	Lecture (2 hr)
	2 dimensional video analysis	Practical (2 hr)
	3 dimensional data collection and procedures	Lecture (2 hr)
	Research skills: excel	Practical (2 hr)
Week 01	Biomechanics of tissues	Lecture (2 hr)
	Research skills: academic writing	Practical (2 hr)
	1. Kinematics; 2. Kinetics of gait	Lecture (2 hr)
	Data analysis and interpretation	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	Postural control	Lecture (2 hr)
	3 dimensional motion capture	Practical (2 hr)
	Inverse dynamics 1	Lecture (2 hr)
	Equilibrium calculations	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	EMG for Clinical Analysis	Lecture (2 hr)
	Research skills: report preparation	Practical (2 hr)
	EMG	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	1. Inverse dynamics 2; 2. Pain and weakness	Lecture (2 hr)
	Inverse dynamics calculations	Practical (2 hr)
	Osteoporosis	Lecture (2 hr)
	Clinical outcome measures	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	Obesity	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Osteoarthritis	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Footwear	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Revision	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students must aattend 1 x 4hr workshop per week. Each workshop is a combination of lecture content and tutorial/practical content.

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.

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 an understanding of fundamental biomechanical concepts and their application to human movement
LO2. demonstrate an understanding of kinematic and kinetic data analysis of normal, ageing and pathological gait
LO3. demonstrate an understanding of the effect of various pathologies on the biomechanics of movement
LO4. demonstrate an understanding of various techniques used in biomechanical data collection including 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional motion analysis, and electromyography
LO5. demonstrate an understanding of tissue and material mechanics and the functional changes that occur due to loading, ageing, injury, and pathological conditions.

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 - 1.3.1. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of: 1.3.1.1 health, exercise and sport from both performance-enhancement and injury- prevention perspectives. 1.3.1.2 injury, disability and disease as they relate to movement. 1.3.1.3 a scientific approach to ascertaining the aetiology of injury. 1.3.1.4 the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment. 1.3.2. 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. 1.3.3. 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. 1.3.4. Determine when basic movement analysis can add value to the needs of a client. 1.3.5. Demonstrate skill in conducting and interpreting basic biomechanical measurements relevant to clients’ needs. 2.3.4. Apply the principles of motor control, functional anatomy and biomechanics to assess movement and to recognise the cause of dysfunctional movement patterns and unsafe exercise technique. 5.3.1. Identify the foundational principles of kinesiology that explain individual joint complexes and their independent and composite functions in posture and movement analysis in exercise.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 1.3.1. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of: 1.3.1.1 health, exercise and sport from both performance-enhancement and injury- prevention perspectives. 1.3.1.2 injury, disability and disease as they relate to movement. 1.3.1.3 a scientific approach to ascertaining the aetiology of injury. 1.3.1.4 the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment. 1.3.2. 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. 1.3.3. 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. 1.3.5. Demonstrate skill in conducting and interpreting basic biomechanical measurements relevant to clients’ needs. 1.3.7. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns, particularly for movement asymmetry. 2.3.4. Apply the principles of motor control, functional anatomy and biomechanics to assess movement and to recognise the cause of dysfunctional movement patterns and unsafe exercise technique. 5.3.8. Analyse movement during prescribed exercises, identifying which muscles are active in producing and controlling a movement of a particular joint.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 1.3.1. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of: 1.3.1.1 health, exercise and sport from both performance-enhancement and injury- prevention perspectives. 1.3.1.2 injury, disability and disease as they relate to movement. 1.3.1.3 a scientific approach to ascertaining the aetiology of injury. 1.3.1.4 the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment. 1.3.2. 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. 1.3.3. 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. 1.3.4. Determine when basic movement analysis can add value to the needs of a client. 1.3.5. Demonstrate skill in conducting and interpreting basic biomechanical measurements relevant to clients’ needs. 1.3.6. Communicate scientific data and movement techniques to clients, colleagues and other professionals with appropriate use of illustrations and user-friendly terms. 1.3.7. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns, particularly for movement asymmetry. 1.3.8. Integrate knowledge of and skills in biomechanics with other study areas of exercise science. 2.3.1. Employ a range of tools and methodsto monitor and evaluate exercise load and progress, including mechanical, physiological and perceptual methods that are appropriate for the specific needs of clients. 2.3.2. Demonstrate how data obtained during a client assessment are used in the delivery and monitoring of exercise or physical activity. 2.3.3. Identify, describe, analyse and demonstrate a broad range of exercise modalities, and select appropriate exercises and equipment to suit the needs and abilities of clients. 2.3.4. Apply the principles of motor control, functional anatomy and biomechanics to assess movement and to recognise the cause of dysfunctional movement patterns and unsafe exercise technique. 2.3.7. Identify the common contraindications for participation in exercise that are associated with chronic and complex conditions, and demonstrate an awareness of the relevant pathophysiology that underpins such contraindications. 2.3.8. In accordance with professional guidelines, monitor and evaluate whether it is safe for a client to continue with an exercise program or session, and initiate appropriate measures to ensure the client’s safety. 2.3.9. Evaluate and adapt the delivery of an exercise prescription to respond to environmental change or change in the needs or capacities of clients. 5.3.3. Describe the effects of exercise, immobilisation, aging and injury on the musculoskeletal system of the human body. 5.3.5. Describe the adaptations that can occur during exercise to elements of the neuro- musculoskeletal system.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 1.3.1. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of: 1.3.1.1 health, exercise and sport from both performance-enhancement and injury- prevention perspectives. 1.3.1.2 injury, disability and disease as they relate to movement. 1.3.1.3 a scientific approach to ascertaining the aetiology of injury. 1.3.1.4 the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment. 1.3.2. 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. 1.3.3. 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. 1.3.4. Determine when basic movement analysis can add value to the needs of a client. 1.3.5. Demonstrate skill in conducting and interpreting basic biomechanical measurements relevant to clients’ needs. 1.3.6. Communicate scientific data and movement techniques to clients, colleagues and other professionals with appropriate use of illustrations and user-friendly terms. 1.3.7. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns, particularly for movement asymmetry. 1.3.8. Integrate knowledge of and skills in biomechanics with other study areas of exercise science. 2.3.4. Apply the principles of motor control, functional anatomy and biomechanics to assess movement and to recognise the cause of dysfunctional movement patterns and unsafe exercise technique. 5.3.1. Identify the foundational principles of kinesiology that explain individual joint complexes and their independent and composite functions in posture and movement analysis in exercise. 5.3.6. Conduct musculoskeletal movement analyses. 5.3.8. Analyse movement during prescribed exercises, identifying which muscles are active in producing and controlling a movement of a particular joint. 7.3.1. Identify and explain the common processes and equipment required to conduct accurate and safe health, exercise and sport-related assessments.
	Accredited Exercise Scientist Professional Standards - 1.3.1. Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of various forms of human movement to demonstrate an understanding of: 1.3.1.1 health, exercise and sport from both performance-enhancement and injury- prevention perspectives. 1.3.1.2 injury, disability and disease as they relate to movement. 1.3.1.3 a scientific approach to ascertaining the aetiology of injury. 1.3.1.4 the physical effects of human interaction with equipment and the environment. 1.3.3. 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. 1.3.7. Identify specific aspects of movement patterns, particularly for movement asymmetry. 1.3.8. Integrate knowledge of and skills in biomechanics with other study areas of exercise science. 5.3.1. Identify the foundational principles of kinesiology that explain individual joint complexes and their independent and composite functions in posture and movement analysis in exercise. 5.3.2. Identify the components of the neuro-musculoskeletal system of the human body, and describe the role of the bony segments, joint-related connective tissue structures, muscles and the external forces applied to these structures.

Responding to student feedback

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

Student feedback appreciated the previous changes in assessment. Staff changes have been made to ensure student satisfaction is improved.

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

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

EXSS5051: Clinical Biomechanics

Semester 2 Early, 2020 [Normal day] - Cumberland, 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

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

Media

Student links

About us

Connect