Linear Kinematics

of Human
Movement
 Dynamics

is the study of bodies in

motion
kinematics and kinetics
linear, angular and general motion
of the bodies
 Linear Kinematic Quantities

How do we define kinematics?

the form, pattern, or sequencing
of movement with respect to
time
the appearance of a motion
 Biomechanical
Analysis
Kinematics Descriptive analysis of
mechanical component without regard
to nature of forces causing motion
Deals with position, displacement (distance),
velocity, acceleration
EXAMPLES:
Angular velocity at a joint
Following the path of a baseball
Optimal release angle for shooting a free
throw
 States of Motion

Motionless
The motionless state
occurs when the body or
object is balanced and
there is no significant
movement.
 Types of motion

linear or translational

occurs if all parts of the body move the same

distance at the same time and in the same
direction
i.e., pushing a block on a level surface, elevator
moving upwards
 Types of motion

linear or translational -
Linear motion
 Types of motion

angular or rotational motion

occurs when a body moves in a
circular path
all parts of the body move through the
same angle at the same time
angular motion occurs about a central
line known as the axis of rotation,
which lies perpendicular to the plane
of motion
i.e., a gymnast doing giant circles on
the uneven bars
 Types of motion

angular or
rotational
motion
angular motion
occurs about a
central line known
as the axis of
rotation, which lies
perpendicular to
the plane of motion
i.e., a gymnast
doing giant circles
on the uneven bars
Angular motion

Axis of rotation?
 Types of motion

general motion
occurs if a body undergoes both translational and
rotational motions
 Types of motion

general motion
 Reference Frames and Coordinate
Systems

To describe the motion of a body properly, a

reference frame must be adopted and all
quantities involved must be measured with
respect to that reference frame
the rectangular or Cartesian coordinate
system, composed of perpendicular
directions, is most suitable for describing
linear motions
the polar coordinate system is better
suited for analyzing angular motions
Reference Frames and Coordinate
Systems

Cartesian coordinate system, composed of

perpendicular directions, is most suitable
for describing linear motions
Reference Frames and Coordinate
Systems

thepolar coordinate system is better

suited for analyzing angular motions
 Linear Kinematic Quantities
What is linear displacement?
change in location
the directed distance from initial to
final location
the vector equivalent of linear
distance
measured in units of cm, m, km
 Distance versus Displacement

distance = the
length of a path
traveled by a body;
does not have an
associated direction
displacement =
the straight line
between two points;
includes both the
length and direction
of the line
 Position

The position of an object

its location in space and time relative to
some baseline value or axis
(anatomical, orthoganol, angular).
Linear Position Cartesian or orthogonal
coordinates

UNITS:
English inches, feet, yards, miles, etc.
Metric millimeters, centimeters, meters,
kilometers, etc.
 Position

The position of an object

its location in space and time relative to some
baseline value or axis (anatomical, orthoganol,
angular).

Angular Position
Rotary or angular coordinates
Units: degrees, radians
 Time

Time
the measured period of an action from
moment to moment.
Movement or motion occurs in space and
time

Units: English metric

sec sec
 Motion Analysis
Exercise Biomechanics

All other variables in biomechanics can be

derived from position, time, and/or mass

Distance
Torque
Velocity
Momentum
Acceleration
Impulse
Force
Work/energy
Inertia, moment of
Power
inertia Mechanical Stress
Strain
 Linear Kinematic Quantities
What is linear velocity?
the rate of change in location

the vector equivalent of linear

speed
measured in units of m/s
Velocity
Instantaneous Velocity versus
Average Velocity
 Linear Kinematic Quantities
What is acceleration?
the rate of change in linear velocity

measured in units of m/s-2

Accelaration