Body mechanics is the study of human movement. It is also called kinesiology and biomechanics. The study of body mechanics applies the principles of physics and engineering to human movement. These principles are used by physical therapists, coaches and personal trainers as a means of enhancing movement efficiency and preventing injuries.
History
Aristotle is sometimes called the Father of Kinesiology. In fact, the word "kinesiology' stems from the Greek words "kinein," which means "to move" and "logos," which means "discourse." Thus, kinesiology is a discourse on movement. Aristotle's book "On the Movement of Animals" explained human and animal movements in terms of mechanical patterns. Years later, the 15th century artist Leonardo da Vinci began exploring what he called the "four powers of nature,' which included motion, force, weight and percussion. Da Vinci's fascination with human anatomy inspired him to study how these forces affected body mechanics.
Time Frame
In the early 20th century, dancers, artists and scientists began to elaborate on the ground work established by Aristotle and da Vinci. Rudolf Laban (1879-1958) was a dancer/choreographer who developed a system that characterized movement in terms of its shape and the effort it takes to perform it. Then, in 1924, University of Illinois professor Ruth Glassow began to study activities such as locomotion, throwing, striking and balance. Glassow and her students applied physics and mechanics to each activity.
Geography
During World War I, the invention of prosthetic devices prompted scientists to conduct advanced studies about the nuances of human movement. Other studies were conducted in Europe after World War II, where the polio epidemic, as well war-related injuries had caused altered gaits and general distortions of body mechanics.
Theories/Speculation
Muscular recruitment patterns, which refers to the sequence that muscles are used, is a crucial issue in body mechanics. Skiing movements, for example, begin in the feet. If the skier initiates a turn by overusing his leg muscles, the movement will be sloppy, and the skier will tire easily. A golfer or tennis player who fails to use his oblique muscles for swing initiation may suffer from shoulder injuries. The dynamic pattern theory of movement suggests that the brain is more efficient at recognizing movements than it is at muscular isolation. This type of body mechanics training involves practicing movement patterns similar to the activity and correcting the muscle recruitment sequence.
Benefits
Improved body mechanics can prevent fatigue and injury while enhancing athletic skill. Correct body mechanics also can result in greater benefits from muscle toning and weightlifting programs. Training results can be optimized by activating the correct muscle groups and avoiding compensation from other muscles. Correct body mechanics also can help increase the speed of aerobic movements, which can lead to greater caloric expenditure.
Considerations
Biomechanics can be altered by the forces acting on the body. These may include ground reaction forces, gravity, friction and wind resistance. For example, performing a jump on a concrete sidewalk will result in different ground reaction forces than jumping on a trampoline or jumping in water. A downhill skier must adjust his alignment to compensate for the forces of gravity. Further adjustments must be made if he encounters the friction caused by deep snow. Likewise, a runner who runs against the wind will have body mechanics that differ from a runner who has a tailwind.
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