Foundations of Biomechanics

Author: Dr. Rajendra Dhakne

Biomechanics is the study of both the structure and function of biological systems using the methods of mechanics. In sports biomechanics, the interest focuses, clearly on the sports performer. However, interest also extends to the behaviour of inanimate structures that influence performance, such as sports implements, footwear and surfaces. The foundations of sports biomechanics are mechanics and the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system. It is the key material of these disciplines that forms the content of this part of the book, related wherever possible to examples from sport. Mechanics is closely related to mathematics and, therefore, an understanding of the mathematical concepts that underpin biomechanics is essential. These include aspects of calculus and vector algebra. These concepts will be introduced in the following chapters along with, where necessary, basic mathematical equations. However extensive mathematical development of the topics covered has been avoided.

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