39152 - Apllied Kinesiology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to apply their knowledge and understanding to calculate the magnitude of the muscle force required to counteract the effects of gravity during movements involving the major joints. They will also be able to apply their knowledge and understanding to assess muscle strength and joint range of motion in the principal muscles and joints of the musculoskeletal system.

Course contents

GENERAL CONCEPTS AND FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMECHANICS

a) Sagittal plane
b) Frontal (coronal) plane
c) Transverse (horizontal) plane

FORMULAS AND UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

a) Newton's Second Law of Motion
b) The unit of force
c) Acceleration due to gravity
d) Moment (torque) of a force
e) Basic trigonometric formulas applied to the right triangle

LEVERS

a) General principles of levers
b) First-class lever
c) Second-class lever
d) Third-class lever

ANTHROPOMETRIC TABLES

a) Linear body dimensions: height
b) Body mass: weight
c) Distances of the centers of mass from the major joint axes

PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATING THE RESISTANCE FORCE

a) Calculation of the magnitude of the resistance force
b) Calculation of the resistance moment arm
c) Calculation of the angle between the above segments

CALCULATING THE RESISTANCE MOMENT (RESISTANCE TORQUE)

a) Identification of the required values
b) Reference to anthropometric tables
c) Application of trigonometric formulas
d) Resistance moment (torque) and its unit of measurement

CONSTRUCTING THE MUSCLE FORCE VECTOR BASED ON MUSCLE ANATOMY

a) Choosing the point of application
b) Choosing the direction
c) Choosing the sense (orientation)
d) Determining the magnitude

VECTOR ANALYSIS

a) Constructing the muscle force (effort) vector
b) Constructing the muscle moment arm
c) Determining the angle between the previous segments
d) Constructing the biomechanical rectangle

MUSCLE MOMENT (MUSCLE TORQUE)

a) During isometric contraction
b) During concentric contraction
c) During eccentric contraction

COMPARISON BETWEEN RESISTANCE MOMENT AND MUSCLE MOMENT

a) Conditions for no movement (static equilibrium)
b) Conditions for concentric movement against gravity
c) Conditions for eccentric movement

JOINT REACTION FORCES

a) Conditions under which a joint is considered stable
b) Conditions under which a joint is considered unstable

SHEAR COMPONENTS (EFFECTIVE COMPONENTS)

a) Conditions for no movement
b) Conditions for concentric movement against gravity
c) Conditions for eccentric movement

JOINT ASSESSMENT Observation

• Anterior view
• Lateral view
• Posterior view

Circumference Measurements (Upper and Lower Extremities) Limb Length Measurements (Upper and Lower Extremities) Circumferential Measurements (Cirtometry) Joint Range-of-Motion Testing

Criteria for selecting the joints to be measured

Instruments

• Tape measure
• Goniometer
• Inclinometer
• Dermatographic pencil

Testing procedures

• Patient positioning (setting)
• Choice of posture
• Stabilization
• Selection of the joint axis
• Application of the angular measuring instrument

CERVICAL SPINE RANGE-OF-MOTION ASSESSMENT

• Flexion
• Extension
• Lateral flexion
• Rotation

THORACOLUMBAR SPINE RANGE-OF-MOTION ASSESSMENT

• Flexion
• Extension
• Lateral flexion
• Fingertip-to-floor test

WHOLE-SPINE RANGE-OF-MOTION ASSESSMENT

• Kinesiological principles
• Indices of spinal mobility

RANGE-OF-MOTION (ROM) ASSESSMENT OF THE FOLLOWING JOINTS Shoulder

• Flexion (supine)
• Flexion (sitting)
• Extension (prone)
• Extension (sitting)
• Abduction (supine)
• Abduction (sitting)
• Horizontal abduction (sitting)
• Horizontal adduction (sitting)
• Internal rotation (prone)
• External rotation (supine)

Elbow

• Flexion (supine)
• Flexion (sitting)
• Supination (sitting)
• Pronation (sitting)

Wrist

• Flexion
• Extension
• Ulnar deviation
• Radial deviation

Hand

• Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) flexion
• Metacarpophalangeal extension
• Radial deviation at the MCP joint
• Ulnar deviation at the MCP joint
• Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) flexion

Thumb

• Carpometacarpal (CMC) flexion
• Carpometacarpal extension
• Metacarpophalangeal flexion
• Interphalangeal flexion
• Carpometacarpal abduction

Hip

• Flexion (supine)
• Extension (supine)
• Abduction (supine)
• Adduction (supine)
• Internal rotation (sitting)
• External rotation (sitting)
• Straight-leg raise (hip flexion with knee extended)

Knee

• Flexion (supine)
• Hyperextension (supine)
• Internal rotation (sitting)
• External rotation (sitting)

Ankle

• Dorsiflexion (supine)
• Plantarflexion (supine)
• Inversion
• Eversion

Foot

• Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) flexion
• Metatarsophalangeal extension
• Metatarsophalangeal abduction
• Metatarsophalangeal adduction
• Interphalangeal flexion

MUSCLE STRENGTH ASSESSMENT Muscle Strength Grading Scales Instruments and Procedures for Strength Testing

• Patient positioning
• Choice of posture
• Stabilization
• Selection of the resistance moment arm
• Application of manual resistance

MANUAL MUSCLE TESTING OF THE FOLLOWING MUSCLES Shoulder

• Coracobrachialis
• Deltoid
• Anterior deltoid
• Posterior deltoid
• Latissimus dorsi
• Teres major
• Internal rotators
• Pectoralis major
• Pectoralis minor
• Infraspinatus and Teres minor
• Serratus anterior
• Lower trapezius
• Middle trapezius and Rhomboids
• Middle trapezius
• Upper trapezius

Elbow

• Biceps brachii and Brachialis
• Supinator and Biceps brachii
• Triceps brachii
• Brachioradialis
• Supinator

Wrist

• Flexor carpi radialis
• Flexor carpi ulnaris
• Extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis
• Extensor carpi ulnaris
• Pronator teres and Pronator quadratus
• Pronator quadratus

Hand

• Opponens digiti minimi
• Flexor digiti minimi
• Abductor digiti minimi
• Extensor digitorum
• Interossei
• Palmaris longus and Palmaris brevis
• Flexor digitorum superficialis
• Flexor digitorum profundus

Thumb

• Flexor pollicis longus
• Flexor pollicis brevis
• Abductor pollicis brevis
• Opponens pollicis
• Adductor pollicis
• Abductor pollicis longus
• Extensor pollicis brevis
• Extensor pollicis longus

Hip

• Gluteus maximus
• Gluteus medius
• Gluteus minimus
• External hip rotators
• Internal hip rotators
• Hip flexors
• Tensor fasciae latae
• Hip adductors

Knee

• Popliteus
• Quadriceps femoris
• Sartorius
• Semitendinosus and Semimembranosus
• Biceps femoris
• Gastrocnemius

Ankle

• Extensor hallucis longus and brevis
• Tibialis anterior
• Fibularis (Peroneus) longus and brevis
• Tibialis posterior
• Soleus

Foot

• Flexor hallucis brevis
• Flexor hallucis longus
• Abductor hallucis
• Lumbricals and Interossei
• Flexor digitorum brevis
• Flexor digitorum longus
• Extensor digitorum longus

Readings/Bibliography

S. Casati: "Biomeccanica Clinica in Fisioterapia", Editore Minerva Medica, 2006

M. Marchetti, P. Pillastrini: "Neurofisiologia del Movimento", Casa Editrice Piccin, Padova, 2021 - cap.3 e cap. 26.

S. Ferrari, P. Pillastrini, C. Vanti: "Riabilitazione Integrata delle Lombalgie", Casa Editrice Masson, Milano, 2002 - cap. 2

Clarkson, Hazel M.: “Valutazione Cinesiologica”, EDI-ERMES, MILANO, 2002

H.O. Kendall, F.P. Kendall, G.E. Wadsworth: "I Muscoli - Esame e studio funzionale" - Piccin Editore – Padova, 1985

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures complemented by practical demonstrations led by the instructor.

Given the nature of the learning activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance in this course requires all students to complete Modules 1 and 2 through e-learning, as well as to participate in a third training module on health and safety in study and clinical placement environments. Information regarding the dates and attendance arrangements for the third module will be provided to students by their respective teaching sites.

Assessment methods

The student must analyze the action of gravitational and muscular forces in a given posture by calculating the resistance moment and the power (muscle) moment, and determining—also with reference to the individual's specific anthropometric data—the magnitude of the force vector of an agonist muscle required to maintain the posture indicated in the assignment. This is followed by a discussion including questions and theoretical and practical insights into the dynamics of movement and the evolution of the biomechanical conditions under which movement occurs.

The Biomechanics examination consists of a 30-minute written test based on a clinical case to be solved. Afterwards, starting from the correction of the written test, there will be an in-depth discussion of the related concepts, including questions covering the course syllabus.

At the end of the course, students will also be assessed through a theoretical and practical examination, during which they will be asked to describe anatomical structures of a joint region designated by the instructor. The instructor will evaluate:

1. Knowledge of the anatomical and kinesiological characteristics of the requested joint region.
2. Ability to correctly perform the required joint assessment tests.
3. Ability to correctly perform the required muscle tests.

With regard to the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) during examinations, this course adopts Scenario 3, as described below:

Scenario 3: For assessment purposes, the use of AI is permitted only in a limited, declared, and non-substantive manner for support activities such as summarization and rephrasing. The substantive use of AI to complete any part of the examination is not permitted.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's designated support office in advance:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it

The office will propose any appropriate accommodations for eligible students. Such accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Multimedia projector and computer.

Laboratories equipped for instructor-led practical activities.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Pillastrini