Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
PART I
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION TO BIOMECHANICS
OF HUMAN MOVEMENT
WHAT ISBIOMECHANICS?3
WHY STUDY BIOMECHANICS?5
Improving Performance 5
Preventing and Treating Injury 9
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis 11
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT
BIOMECHANICS?12
Scholarly Societies 13
Computer Searches 14
Biomechanics Textbooks 15
BIOMECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE VERSUS
INFORMATION 16
Kinds of Sources 16
Evaluating Sources 18
A Word About Right and
Wrong Answers 1
SUMMARY 20
REVIEW QUESTIONS 21
KEY TERMS 21
SUGGESTED READING 21
WEB LINKS 22
CHAPTER 2
FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMECHANICS
AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
KEY MECHANICAL CONCEPTS 23
Mechanics 23
Basic Units 25
NINE FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMECHANICS 29
Principles and Laws 29
Nine Principles for Application of
Biomechanics 30
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS 35
SUMMARY 36
REVIEW QUESTIONS 36
KEY TERMS 37
SUGGESTED READING 37
WEB LINKS 37
PART II
BIOLOGICAL/STRUCTURAL BASES
CHAPTER 3
ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION AND
ITS LIMITATIONS
REVIEW OF KEY ANATOMICAL CONCEPTS 41
Directional Terms 42
Joint Motions 43
Review of Muscle Structure 46
MUSCLE ACTIONS 49
Active and Passive Tension of Muscle 51
Hill Muscle Model 51
THE LIMITATIONS OF FUNCTIONAL
ANATOMICAL ANALYSIS 53
Mechanical Method of Muscle
Action Analysis 53
The Need for Biomechanics to
Understand Muscle Actions 56
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Applications 60
RANGE-OF-MOTION PRINCIPLE 60
FORCE–MOTION PRINCIPLE 63
SUMMARY 65
REVIEW QUESTIONS 66
KEY TERMS 66
SUGGESTED READING 66
WEB LINKS 67
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Contents
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