Overview

This unit investigates the fundamental principles of biomechanics associated with human movement. Kinematic and kinetic principles will be applied to sporting and everyday movements to improve performance, improve health or reduce injury. Students will use a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques to analyse human movement.

Requisites

Prerequisites
BIO10008 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
SPH10012 Motor Control and Learning

Rules

Pre-requisite
BIO10008 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
AND
SPH10012 Motor Control and Learning

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Define and apply the fundamental principles of biomechanics, including demonstrating competency in applying relevant equations to gain an understanding of human movement across a range of contexts including exercise, sport and activities of daily living.
  • Safely conduct measurements and interpret data about human movement using basic biomechanical equipment, instrumentation and software.
  • Integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, functional anatomy and, motor learning and control, in the understanding of kinematics and kinetics applied to human movement and, communicate findings using appropriate terminology to a broad audience

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Activity Type Activity Total Hours Number of Weeks Hours Per Week Venue Type and Activity Detail
Online Lecture 24 12 weeks 2 Online asynchronous
On-campus Lab 24 12 weeks 2  
Specified Activities Various 48 12 weeks 4 Readings, Laboratory tasks, Mathematical equations, OH&S Review, Practical exercise and online learning tasks
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning 54 12 weeks 4.5 Assignment preparation, Practical skills practice, Test preparation, Laboratory preparation, Reading
Total Hours: 150 Total Hours (per week): 12.5  

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment Individual  30%  1,2,3 
Online Tests Individual  20%  1
Practical Examination Individual  50%  1,2,3 

Content

  • Fundamental principles of biomechanics e.g. Newton’s laws, force, acceleration and mass
  • Core instrumentation and equipment for monitoring and assessment of movement in exercise, sport and daily living
  • Biomechanical analysis of motion
  • Integration of biomechanics with other sub-disciplines
  • Review and analysis of biomechanical data
  • 2D motion capture
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.