05750 - Biomechanics

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, students can read and interpret human movement with a biomechanical approach. In particular they are able to: - provide a biomechanical model of an anthropomorphic, polyarticular, chain; - analyze the state of equilibrium of the human body or parts of it; - dynamically analyze the state of motion of the human body or parts of it; - analyze the kinematic state of motion of the human body or parts of it; - characterize the main inertial properties of body segments; - orient in the field of instruments for the analysis of human movement; - estimate internal forces and moments through the solution of the inverse dynamic problem. Moreover, they know how to learn new techniques of interest to the biomechanists and updated tools for design, modeling, optimization and analysis, through independent research, to deepen the knowledge acquired during the course.

Course contents

INTRODUCTION
Introduction to biomechanics. Biomechanics of human movement. The rigid body assumption. Measurement and modeling in movement analysis. Physics and matrix algebra refreshments. Multi-link model of the human body.

STATICS AND DYNAMICS IN BIOMECHANICS
2-D and 3-D models. Body segment parameters. Center of mass (COM). Anthropometric tables. Inertial properties of body segments. Inverted pendulum models of body sway. Ankle and hip strategies. Center of pressure (COP). COP & COM relationship.

KINEMATICS IN BIOMECHANICS
Linear and angular kinematics. Reference frames for kinematic analysis. Joint kinematics.

HUMAN MOVEMENT ANALYSIS
Stereophotogrammetry. Experimental protocols for gait analysis. Anatomical calibration. Functional anatomy of the posturo-motor system. Human movement analysis.

Readings/Bibliography

- Lecture slides
- "Bioingegneria della Postura e del Movimento", A. Cappello, A. Cappozzo, P.E. di Prampero eds., Pàtron, 2003
- "Biomechanics: concepts and computation", C. Oomens, M. Brekelmans, and F. Baaijens, Cambridge University Press, 2009
- "Kinetics of Human Motion", Vladimir Zatsiorsky, Human Kinetics, 2002
- "Kinematics of Human Motion", Vladimir Zatsiorsky, Human Kinetics, 1998

Teaching methods

Congruent with the educational objectives, the course is divided into three main parts for static, dynamics and kinematics; the reference model is the rigid body and polyarticular rigid body. The lab exercises and problem solving lectures are the direct illustration / application of the concepts presented in theoretical lectures and are part of the course.

Assessment methods

The final examination is a written test articulated in a part of theory (weight 15/30), with multiple choice questions, and a part of exercises (weight 15/30). It is necessary a minimum score of 9/15 in both parts in order to register the examination.

Teaching tools

Blackboard, Videoprojector, PC, Matlab computing environment.

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Chiari

See the website of Fabio Bagalà