PRINCIPLES OF SPORT BIOMECHANICS


by JOE D. BELL, TONY GRICE and LINUS J. DOWELL
6th edition, 2000, 411 pages, $42.95 
ISBN 978-0-89641-338-2 

The science of biomechanics is a relatively new development. Until the past 25 or so years the study of kinesiology was an anatomical and qualitative science. With the advent of computers and high speed motion analysis capabilities, the science has blossomed into an important component of the study of movement. The emergence of sport sciences as a part of physical education has lead to a greater application of pure science. The state of knowledge in the field of biomechanics is growing rapidly. Any growth, however, must be accompanied by a framework based upon fundamental laws, theories, and principles that are grounded in the study of the mechanical nature of human movement.

The purpose of this text is to present those fundamental concepts upon which the student of biomechanics can build and, hopefully, apply to a more sophisticated study of movement. The primary audience of this text is the undergraduate student, and it is written in such a manner that it can be understood at that level. The mechanical principles related to equilibrium, motion, force, work, energy, and other factors related to performance of sport skills are presented in this text.

The authors are indebted to the many students of kinesiology who have contributed to this work through their athletic ability, scholarly insight, and research efforts. A special thanks goes to Dr. Linus Dowell who is not only a mentor but is responsible for the initial development of this project and has conducted much of the research presented here.

CONTENTS

• Chapter 1: WHY STUDY THE PRINCIPLES OF SPORT BIOMECHANICS?

• Chapter 2: BASIC TOOLS
  Square Roots
  Percentages; Angles;
  Trigonometry
  Hand Held Calculators
  Practice Problems

• Chapter 3: BASIC HUMAN MOVEMENT
  Anatomical Structures
  Simple Levers
  Problems
  Exercise
  Experiments
  Key Terms

• Chapter 4: LINEAR MOVEMENT AND PROJECTILES
  Problems, Exercises, Experiment, Key Terms

• Chapter 5: STABILITY
  Gravity and the Coriolis Effect; Problems, Exercises, Experiment, Key Terms

• Chapter 6: ROTARY OR ANGULAR MOTION
  Principles; Problems; Exercises, Experiments, Key Terms, Study Questions

• Chapter 7: FORCE AND FACTORS AFFECTING FORCE
  Problems, Exercises, Experiments, Key Terms

• Chapter 8: QUALITATIVE -- VISUAL ANALYSIS
  Simplify the Movement
  Establish and Maintain the Correct Body Poisition
  Flexibility Should be Maintained throughout the Motion
  Mechanical Analysis of Sport Skills
  Contributions of Research in the Kinemechanics Laboratory at Texas A&M Univ. to Principles of Mechanics
  Selected References of Reserve Studies Completed in the Kinemechanics Laboratory at Texas A&M University
  Study Questions

• Chapter 9: QUANTITATIVE MOVEMENT ANALYSIS
  History
  Biomechanical Analysis of movement
  High-Speed Imaging Equipment
  Cinematography or Fiom Analysis
  Videography or Video Anbalysis
  Force Platforms
  Key Terms
  Study Questions

• Chapter 10: OTHER FACTORS THAT AFFECT PERFORMANCE
  Clothing
  Equipment
  Anxiety
  Strategy
  Motivation
  Readiness
  Talent Identification
  Key Terms
  References
  Study Questions

  
  LABORATORY APPLICATIONS

• Chapter 11: SKILL TECHNIQUES

• Chapter 12: BODY MOVEMENT AND STABILITY

• Chapter 13: LINEAR AND ROTARY MOVEMENT

• Chapter 14: FORCE AND FACTORS AFFECTING FORCE

• Chapter 15: REVIEW WORKSHEET

• Chapter 16: COACHING POINTS WORKSHEET

• Chapter 17: MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES IN OPERATION

• Chapter 18: MECHANICAL ANALYSIS

• Chapter 19: SKILL ANALYSIS

• Chapter 20: CINEMATOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
  Figure Analysis
  Sequence Picture Analysis
  Loopfilm Analysis
  Film Analysis
  Comparison of Skill
  Polaroid Sequence/Motion Picture Analysis

• Chapter 21: GLOSSARY

• Chapter 22: MECHANICAL PRINCIPLES

• Chapter 23: APPLIED PRINCIPLES

• Appendix A: ANSWERS TO CHAPTER PROBLEMS