Textbook

Biomechanics

Who uses and investigates sports related biomechanics? Studies are often conducted by university researchers and professors, like Dr. Duane Knudson. Biomechanics is also important to the national governing boards of sports like the USTA for tennis and all the other sports represented in the Olympics, like skiing and swimming. The U.S. Olympic committee has a sports science group with two biomechanists on staff. Their director, Walt Wilson, is actually a mechanical engineer! Not all sports focus on biomechanic studies. Team or contact sports are difficult to study. In wrestling, for example, there are simply a lot of body parts hidden from view.

"Coaches need to understand biomechanics as well as the players themselves", Paul told us. "Professional players benefit by understanding areas of improvement." Duane added, "For beginners biomechanics helps them understand the basic stroke production".

Knowledge of biomechanics is important in the sports industry for the people that design equipment. Groups like the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and NOCSAE (pronounced Noxsey, National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) determine the standards and testing for athletic equipment from bike helmets to running shoes to racquets.

Paul and Duane told us that biomechanic studies have been used to:

Enhance performance;
Correct problems;
Recognize and create new playing techniques;
Injury prevention;
Injury recovery;
Develop athlete physical training programs.

We asked for some specific examples.

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