PED 351 Movement Analysis Project

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, many professions use qualitative and quantitative analysis.  Basic knowledge of biomechanics and kinesiology are essential for competent professional analysts of human movement, including (but not limited to) physical education teachers, physical therapists, physicians, coaches, personal trainers, and exercise instructors.  A structured approach helps to facilitate the identification, analysis, and solution of problems or questions related to human movement.  Being capable of accurately identifying the anatomical components of human movement including bones, joints, muscles, and related portions of the nervous system is crucial.  Appropriately communicating the movements of the body and body segments aids in the ability to achieve one's goals.


The objectives of this assignment are:
 Getting Started
Movement Analysis Project Selection Form
  • Obtain ample background research of what the "experts" say regarding the movement or skill chosen.  Be wary of Jon Doe's personal Internet resources.  The best choices come from refereed journals such as Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise (MSSE), the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (JSCR), Sport Biomechanics, Journal of Athletic Training, Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences,  Ergonomics, International Journal of Sport Biomechanics, Journal of Sport Sciences, Physical Therapy, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, Journal of Biomechanics, etc...  A "refereed" journal is one that has a system of "peer review" by other scientists and professionals before something gets published.  Many coaching and/or popular journals such as Muscle and Fitness, Track Technique, Swimming Technique, Golf Digest, International Gymnast, Sports Illustrated, Scholastic Coach, and Runner's World are not refereed and hence you need to be very cautious about the information published in them.  A minimum of five professional refereed references are required.  There are also excellent textbooks out there that you should obtain from the library or interlibrary loan if needed.
The following form is to assure that you are not procrastinating on working towards your final project.  A list of references obtained is due by Friday, March 3rd.  See document for details.
  • Determine the critical aspects of the movement and identify the best method for observing and collecting information.  As a minimal requirement you will need to obtain several still digital photos of the image, as well as digital video of the movement.  I would suggest from several angles.  A correctly completed stick figure center of gravity (COG) document needs to be implemented  in the presentation and paper.  The following diagram may assist in your decision making process:
  1. Break the skill or movement into distinct phases to assist in your explanation and discussion.  Some movements or skills have common phases (i.e. preparation, action, follow through), others you may have to make up yourself.
  2. Conduct your anatomical and mechanical analysis  (see outline below) and determine the best way to incorporate into your paper and presentation to class.  Information regarding bones, joints, movements, planes, axes, movement type, kinesthetic awareness, etc... should be included.
  3. Identify, evaluate, and provide information regarding correction of any faults observed.
  4. Prepare a professional presentation to be given to your peers (every member of group must contribute), as well as one paper (hard copy and CD-ROM) per group to be turned in on a CD-ROM that contains all information (Power Point, handouts, overheads, videos, paper, etc...) provided during presentation and the final overall paper (with title page, review of literature,  tables and graphs, APA references throughout, conclusion, Reference page, etc...) burned to the CD-ROM.  I also request that the entire completed project be saved to you hand in folder in the G drive for this Biomechanics course.  Do not forget to place all videos, digital stills, and sounds if applicable in the same folder and on the same CD.

The following outline gives some basic components that are necessary for analysis of a motor skill to get you started:
  1. Description of the motor skill performance
    1. Primary purpose of skill
    2. Movement phases
    3. Classification of the skill

      • Classification of movement patterns and skills provides further clues as to the nature of both the anatomical and mechanical requirements of a particular group of skills.  The following System for Classification of Motor Skills takes into account the objective of the skill, the medium in which the skill occurs, and the nature of motion, which may also assist in your analysis:
        1. Maintaining posture
        2. Movement for exercise and fitness
        3. Giving motion:
          1. To external objects
            1. Pushing and pulling
              • Lifting and carrying
              • punching
              • etc..
            2. Throwing, striking, and kicking
          2. To one's own body
            1. Supported by the ground or other resistant surface
              • Locomotion on foot
              • Locomotion on wheels, blades, and runners
              • Rotary locomotion
            2. Suspended and free of support
              • Swinging activities on trapeze, flying rings, or similar equipment
              • Hand traveling on traveling rings or horizontal ladder
              • Unsupported - i.e., projected into or falling through the air
              • Weightlessness
            3. Supported by water
              • Swimming
              • Aquatic stunts
              • Boating
        4. Receiving impact:
          1. From one's own body in landing from a jump or fall
          2. From external objects in catching, trapping, spotting, or intercepting

    1. Linear vs. Angular nature of the motion(s)


  2. Anatomical analysis
    1. Joint actions and segment motions
    2. Muscle participation and form of contraction (concentric, eccentric, isometric)
    3. Neuromuscular considerations (mechanoreceptors, stretch shortening cycle)
    4. Anatomical principles related to effective and safe performance
    5. Avoidance of injury
  3. Mechanical analysis
    1. Underlying mechanics objective(s):

      • The underlying objective of motion may be:
        1. Balance
          1. To regain stability
          2. To attain mobility
        2. Locomotion
          1. Travel from point to point
          2. Travel a prescribed distance
          3. Travel a prescribed pattern
        3. Projection
          1. For maximum height
          2. For maximum range
          3. For maximum accuracy
        4. Manipulation
          1. Of objects
          2. To reproduce a pattern
          3. Of a resistance
        5. Maximum effort
          1. Maximum speed
          2. Maximum power
          3. Maximum force

    2. Nature of forces causing or impeding motion

      • Must understand if the motion is angular, linear, or general motion first.
        1. Pushing and pulling forces, weight and resistance, twisting and turning forces must be identified and their effects noted.
          1.  Examples include:
            1. Muscle force applied through specific joints producing movement
            2. External weight or body mass offer resistance forces (acceleration of gravity?)
            3. Impact with the ground at the end of a jump will produce a force stopping motion.
            4. Lack of strength, limited ROM, etc...

    3. Mechanical principles that apply

      • The identification of the mechanical principles related to the execution of the skill is a first step in establishing the causes of error in the performance of the skill.  Focusing on these principles and how they relate to the skill suggests the potential sources of error.  Each movement phase must be considered in turn for quality.

        1.  Considerations of:
          1. Speed of movement
          2. Forces involved with movement
          3. Balance
          4. Direction
          5. Timing
          6. Water pressure
          7. Air pressure

        2. If projecting an object is involved:
          1. Extension at release (or contact)
          2. Path of object
          3. Spin
          4. Angle of release (or impact)

    4. Violation of principles
      1. Which application(s) of mechanical principles is (are) violated?
      2. What are the errors?
      3. What are the sources of errors?
  4. Prescriptions for improvement of performance indicate how the performances should be changed so that the principles are no longer violated.

Hopefully the above information will get you started in the right direction!  Much of the above information has been adapted from Kinesiology (Scientific Basis of Human Motion), tenth edition. 2002. by Nancy Hamilton and Kathryn Luttgens. McGraw-Hill Companies.

Previously used movements that cannot be submitted for approval as they have been performed recently by your peers:
Spring 2003
Football Punt
Golf Swing
Basketball Free Throw
Soccer Kick
Volleyball Serve
Softball Swing
 		Fall 2003
Bowling
Hang Clean
Football Blocking
Softball Pitch
 		Spring 2004
Basketball Lay-up
Power Snatch
Squat
Running
Walking
Rowing
Tennis Serve
 		Fall 2004
Sitting up and Exiting a Bed (Rehab)
Volleyball Block with Approach
Catcher Throwing to Second Base
Volleyball Spike with Approach
Long Jump
Relay Baton Exchange in Track and Field
Spring 2005
Basketball Dunk
Power Clean
Side Reaching Lunges
Soccer Penalty Kicking
Starting Blocks Take Off
 		Fall 2005
Baseball Swing
Basketball Jump Shot
Boxing Jabs
Clean and Jerk
Elementary Backstroke
Frisbee Throw
Hurdling (track)
 		Spring 2006
???