Introduction to Sports Biomechanics

Introduction

to Sports Biomechanics

The first three chapters of this book focus mainly on qualitative analysis of sports movements. Chapter 1 starts by outlining a novel approach to sports biomechanics and establishing that our focus in this chapter is the qualitative analysis of human movement patterns in sport. I will define movements in the sagittal plane and touch on those in the frontal and horizontal planes. We will then consider the constraints-led approach to studying human movements, and go on to look at examples of walking, running, jumping and throwing, including the subdivision of these fundamental movements into phases. In these movements, we will compare movement patterns between ages, sexes, footwear, inclines and tasks. The chapter concludes with a comparison of qualitative and quantitative analysis, looking at their background, uses, and strengths and weaknesses.