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Qualitative Biomechanics

This document discusses qualitative biomechanical assessments of human movement. Qualitative assessments are subjective but can be organized and systematic. They are used to analyze why we move the way we do, improve performance, reduce injury, and assist with clinical diagnosis and skill analysis. Qualitative assessments consider movement phases and apply biomechanical principles. While quantitative data provides numbers, qualitative assessments provide important contextual information about movement through systematic observation.

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Arzeen Farzadi
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0% found this document useful (1 vote)
621 views34 pages

Qualitative Biomechanics

This document discusses qualitative biomechanical assessments of human movement. Qualitative assessments are subjective but can be organized and systematic. They are used to analyze why we move the way we do, improve performance, reduce injury, and assist with clinical diagnosis and skill analysis. Qualitative assessments consider movement phases and apply biomechanical principles. While quantitative data provides numbers, qualitative assessments provide important contextual information about movement through systematic observation.

Uploaded by

Arzeen Farzadi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Qualitative Biomechanics
Kathleen MacLean March 18, 2014

Movement Assessments
!!

Work of the Biomechanist


!! !!

Assess movement In a variety of settings

!!

Depending on the setting, form of assessment may change


!! !!

Quantitative Qualitative

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Quantitative vs. Qualitative


!!

Quantitative
!! !! !!

Objective properties Information based on quantities of data Measured

!!

Qualitative
!! !! !!

Subjective properties Information based on a characteristic or qualities Observed

Quantitative Movement Assessment


The tools

!!

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Qualitative Movement Assessment


Systematic observation and introspective judgment of the quality of human movement for the purpose of providing the most appropriate intervention to improve performance

*Using biomechanical principles and knowledge

Qualitative Biomechanics
!!

Used to analyze:
!! !! !! !! !! !!

Why we move the way we do Improve performance Reduce injury rates Clinical diagnosis Skill analysis Error detection

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Movement Assessments
!!

Quantitative does not equal validity or reliability


!!

Qualitative does not equal invalid or unreliable

!!

Different forms of qualitative analysis


!!

Choice depends on the movement and purpose of analysis, experience of evaluator, setting, age and ability of performer

Where do Assessments Occur


Schools Physical Education Clinics Rehabilitation or training Sports
!! !!

!!

!! !!

!! !!

Performance or injury assessment Occupational Settings Productivity, injury and fatigue rates Lab During quantitative assessments

!! !!

!!

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Qualitative Assessment in Phys Ed

Qualitative Assessment in Sports


!! !!

Coaching Athletic therapists

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Qualitative Assessment in Clinics

Qualitative Assessment in Ergonomics

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Qualitative Assessment
!!

Might seem subjective


!! !!

But organized, specific Requires planning, interdisciplinary information, and systematic steps

!!

Interdisciplinary
!!

Integrate many perspectives

!!

Done correctly, provides important information about movement

Qualitative Biomechanical Assessment


So how do we go about performing a systemic qualitative movement assessment?
!! !!

!!

Outline and follow steps to analysis Grounded in biomechanical knowledge and terminology
!!

Background research

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Steps of a Qualitative Analysis


!!

Step 1: Preparation
!!

Determine areas of observation to assess in individual and environment

!!

Step 2: Observe
!!

Several systematic performances of the movement

!!

Step 3: Evaluation
!!

Diagnosis performance strengths and weaknesses, limitations to performance

!!

Step 4: Intervention (if necessary)


!!

Feedback, demonstrations, mimicry etc.

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Step 1: Preparation
!!

Needed for appropriate evaluation


!! !! !!

Includes What is the objective of the task What biomechanical principles are at play?

Objective of the Task


!!

Need to consider the desired outcome (Norman, 1975)


!! !! !! !! !! !! !!

Minimization of fatigue over an endurance or repetitive task Maximize speed, height, distance Force Precision Speed Balance or stability Combination?

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Applying Biomechanical Principles


!! !!

What principles affect objective? (Norman, 1975) Depending on the task, certain principles may be more important to the assessment:
!! !! !! !! !! !! !! !!

Direction of force application Stability Conservation and transfer of momentum Minimizing joint load Summation of joint moment effects Summation of body segment velocities Optimal joint position Minimizing fatigue

Step 2: Observe
!!

Usually break the task down into stages or phases


!! !! !!

Objective of each phase Primary body segment(s) involved in each phase Biomechanical principles of each phase

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Phases
!!

Most movements involve three basic phases


!! !! !!

Preparation Execution Follow-through

!!

These can be further broken down and specified for each task or skill What body segments are involved?

!!

Critical Features of a Skill


!! !!

Invariant technique points of a movement Determines what is right and wrong about movement
!!

Associated with each phase of movement

!!

What cues are necessary for optimal performance


!!

What are the critical elements?

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Composite Approach
!! !!

Total Body Approach Whole body as a system


!! !!

Stages of skill are based on combined product of all body parts Descriptions for each stage

!!

Evaluates quality of movement

Component Approach
!!

Each primary body component still observed


!! !!

Each component has its own evaluative phases More detail provided

!!

Error Analysis Strategy

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Steps 3 & 4: Evaluate and Intervene


!!

Compare expected movement (prep) with observed movement


!! !!

Are task objectives met? Are biomechanical principles being violated or not exploited?

!!

Provide biomechanical feedback to improve performance

Quantitative Assessment

Qualitative Assessment

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History Lesson
!!

Department of Kinesiology
!!

Previously Department of Physical Education

Complementary
!! !!

Not competitive What can each tell us that the other cannot
!!

When is one not feasible, appropriate or ethical?

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Qualitative Advantages
!! !! !!

Quicker, easier Qualitative tools are unavailable or unfeasible Qualitative often gives us an initial exploration of a movement task or issue When we need more than just numbers

!!

Quantitative Advantages
!! !! !! !!

Provide numeric proof of applied biomechanical principles Determine cutoffs for injury and disease prevention Measure changes in performance of a skill or task Determine biomechanics associated with optimization of performance

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Tag team
!! !!

Both processes often used for ultimate movement goal Interplay between both forms of movement assessment
!!

Done when analyzing all kinds of tasks and questions

!!

Consider rehabilitation from an injury

Evolution
!!

How did we become the way we are


!! !!

What adaptations occurred? How have adaptations affected movement performance

!!

What differentiates us from our closest relatives?


!!

And ancestors

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Evolutionary Questions
!!

!! !!

Gaps in our understanding Few living ancestors we can observe Need to fill them using qualitative and quantitative analyses What can both assessments tell us about our evolutionary

!!

How has the shoulder evolved?


!!

Why wont my dog hug me back?

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Throwing
!!

Uncommon in other animals


!! !!

Uniquely hominin trait Courtesy of our bipedalism

!! !!

What was the advantage of the shoulder evolution How do we compare to our closest living relatives?
!!

And our ancestors?


!!

Are we different?

The Many Throws

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Throwing to Hunt
!!

Overarm

Chimp Throw
!!

Chimpanzees are decent throwers

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Human Throw
!!

But theyve got nothing on humans

Humans vs. Chimps


!!

Appears as though there is difference in throwing between humans and chimps


!!

How are they different

!!

We can put a pitcher into a lab to make an analysis


!!

But not a chimpanzee

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Qualitative Biomechanical Analysis


!!

To perform a qualitative analysis, we need prep


!! !! !!

Determine objectives Determine core biomechanical principles Break throw down into phases

Objective & Principles of Throwing


!!

Objective:
!! !!

Produce as much hand speed as possible Accuracy

!!

Summation of body segment velocities


!!

Proximal to distal
!!

Maximizes end segments velocity

!!

Whip Effect

!!

Principle of transfer of momentum


!!

Generates angular motion

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Phases of Throwing

Windup

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Acceleration

Follow-Through

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Windup

Acceleration

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Follow-Through

Observed Differences
!!

We see the differences in movement


!! !! !!

Result in a difference in throwing abilities Speed Distance

!!

But Why?
!!

Consider:
!! !!

Bone and muscle Morphology

!!

Variability in human performance Need quantitative analyses

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Morphological Assessment
!!

How do our bones differ?


!! !!

Physical characteristics Boney formation

!!

And how will this limit movement capabilities

Baseball Players
!!

Quantitatively test the effect of derived morphological traits in humans (Roach et al., 2013)
!! !! !!

Study elite throwers Effect of morphological traits Effect of induce limitations on the shoulder

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Glenoid Orientation

Effect of Glenoid Orientation

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Humeral Torsion

Humeral Torsion
!!

Affects Range of Motion

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Humeral Torsion

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The Missing Link


!!

What about all our ancestors in between?


!! !!

How did they move? What was the sequence of adaptation?

Qualitative-Quantitative Tradeoff
!! !!

We cant observe our extinct ancestors move But we can make inferences based on:
!!

What we know about what came before and after !! Us Homo Sapiens
!! !!

Living relatives Chimpanzees Fill in the gap Bone Morphology Boney orientation

!!

Fossils
!! !!

!!

Determine potential physical capabilities

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Quantitative Assessment
!!

Quantitative analyses of human throwing can help us understand the fossil record
!!

Morphological features that help human throwing can be assessed in the fossil record

!!

When did we start throwing projectiles?


!!

Archeological evidence is divisive

Informed by Sports Medicine


!!

Humeral torsion asymmetry in elite throwing athletes (Chant et


al., 2007; Reagan et al., 2002; Roach et al., 2013)

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Torsion Asymmetry
!!

Dominant vs. Non-dominant Arm


!!

Paleolithic vs. Neanderthal

Back to Qualitative Analyses


!!

Using quantitative data, we can qualitatively reconstruct an understanding of how our fossilized ancestors moved
!!

We know how quantified morphological features affect performance We know the morphology of fossils

!!

!!

Were our ancestors as great as throwing as us?

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The Shoulder Advantage


!!

Combined quantitative and qualitative assessment can tell us when and how humans survived Hominin disadvantages:
!! !!

!!

Not particularly fast, strong Lack the teeth and claws to injure prey or protect ourselves from
!!

Need to avoid confrontation with prey

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The Shoulder Advantage


!!

Hominin Advantage:
!! !! !!

Throwing capabilities Endurance running capabilities Provided through shoulder morphology !! Swinging arm

!!

Throwing provided a means to obtain high protein food

In The End
!!

Systematic qualitative biomechanical analyses provide important movement information Trade off between qualitative and quantitative analyses for common goal
!!

!!

Understanding human movement

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