Biomechanics principles and applications

Biomechanics is the application of mechanics to biological systems. Biomechanics is alternatively known as Kinesiology. Biomechanics finds its origins from the beginning of scientific and social thought. Socrates averred that if we were to understand the world around us, we ought to first understand ourselves. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) is considered the, "Father of Kinesiolgy." His treatises described the actions of the muscles and subjected them to geometric analysis for the first time. Around that time, Archimedes also identified the relationship of a systems' mechanics to identify motion in swimming, taking into account gravity and leverage. Galen, a Roman, can be considered as the first "team physician." He tended to gladiators. Glen worked to identify muscles, bones and nerves in his studies. Later, Galileo applied the laws of trajectory to identify muscle motion. The artist and scientist Leonardo Da Vinci provided the first comprehensive sketch of the human body. His seminal drawings identify various motions that could be achieved from how muscles were constructed. Nicolas Andry (1658-1742) coined the word "orthopedics." Isaac Newton (1642-1727) laid the foundation of modern dynamics. Particularly important to the future of biomechanics was his formulation of the three laws of rest and movement, which express the relationships between forces (interaction) and their effects. (Lauder, Leroi and Rose, 1993)

The nineteenth and twentieth centuries saw the rise of many researchers in biomechanics that studied even the psychosomatic ramifications of muscle movement. Along with the plethora of research were also inventions of technologies. The stroboscope (Imrhan, 1992) Scientists studied the effects of bones and muscles correlations and the effects that one type of motion has on the other. Scientists have brought together massive collections of data pertaining to the application of scientific principles of body mechanics to industry, now known as human engineering, or the science of ergonomics -- the customs, habits, or laws of work. Research in biomechanics also led to other studies that answered the questions: What do bones and muscles comprise? The answers indicated that muscles were a collection of motor nerves and bone density studies have yielded findings that have helped countless people. Biomechanics finds it greatest uses in the studies of athletes and industrial workers. The main aims of studies being increasing performance efficiently without compromising physical health.

Biomechanics as its definition suggests is a cross disciplinary field. It combines the studies of mechanics, physics, engineering, chemistry, biology, medicine, and even statistics. There are few undergraduate degrees in biomechanics available. But as a specialized professional field, masters and doctoral degrees are available. A typical curriculum for a degree in Biomechanics would involve the student taking courses in: statistical methods, in the theory and design and physical activity, factors influencing exercise performance, neural basis for movement, motor control and learning, measuring motor behavior, motor development, cardio-respiratory adaptations to environment and principles of human physiology. Of course, there are specialized branches of Biomechanics. Sports medicine is one. Industrial Biomechanics is another.