Biomechanics/Physics Assignment (Sprinting Biomechanics): Help Needed!

Expert Discussion Biomechanics and Physiology
1

Here’s my proposal:

“I will look at the forces that impact upon the joints, ligaments and tendons and how some common injuries are caused as a result of some of these forces. I will also investigate how you can attain the most efficient sprinting biomechanics to prevent injury and lower your short distance sprint times.”

Good resources I can use, your knowledge on the topic or anything related to it would be much appreciated.

I would prefer something aimed at final year high school physics students (16/17 yr olds).

Thanks.

2

jgb99,

PM me your e-mail and I will send you couple of articles I have regarding biomechanics of sprinting.
I would suggest looking at Enoka “Neuromechanics of human movement”, 2002. Human Kinetics. Take a look at their site, and search for more easier text from biomechanics.

3

I think your being to general.

“I will also investigate how you can attain the most efficient sprinting biomechanics to prevent injury and lower your short distance sprint times.”

This is a f*cking huge undertaking. Why not try to answer a specfic question, ie. why ‘stepping over’ leads to faster sprint times?

4

you can do it, try focusing on the effect joint angle has on motor control and at given joint angles. should be an interesting read.

5

I agree ith Luca! Why don’t you use more “specific” subject: like spring model vs. propulsion model? Or, the role of glutes and hams? etc etc

6

From my syllabus guide these are the areas I can to cover (that are applicable biomechanics), just so it gives everyone a better idea of what I can do:

  1. Movement:
  • Rectilinear motion
  • Motion in 2 dimensions (i.e. projectile motion)
  • Gravitation
  1. Structures and Materials:
  • Properties of materials (i.e. stress/strain, youngs modulus etc.)
  • Equilibrium (i.e. centre of mass, concurrent coplanar forces on bodies in equilibrium, principle of moments, general conditions for equilibrium, systems involving forces in two dimensions)
7

Bump…

EDIT: After seeing some of duxx’s articles I know realise how huge and complexed this project actually is! I think I will change my focus just to “the forces acting on the body (in particular the bones) when sprinting (i.e. start, acceleration phase, constant v phase)” Can that be effectively covered in 2000-2500 words?

8

BUMP

I don’t think it would cover 2000-2500 words, so I am adding another question to it: “the forces acting on the body when sprinting (i.e. acceleration phase, constant v phase) AND how injuries can be caused as a result of faulty biomechanics”

9

What about the following topic, which is easily done by your current level of knowledge:

*** Role of XXX muscle in sprinting***

  • Basic biomechanics of running (time parameters: contact time, fly time, space paremeteres: stride lenghts etc) — sprint model vs. propulsion model — comparation btw start acceleration & top speed etc
  • Anatomy of a XXX muscle and his anatomical function
  • Function of a XXX muscle during running (on phases)

XXX muscle can be quads, hams and hip flexor! I think you can cover this easily!