SPORTS AND EXERCISE BIOMECHANICS - 2022/3

Module Overview

The module builds on the students’ knowledge of the mechanical concepts used in describing and analysing movement and equilibrium of the musculoskeletal system in sports, with emphasis on angular kinematics and kinetics, inverse dynamics and stress analysis. The module also introduces the students to principles of motor control and skill acquisition and the application of these concepts in performance analysis and injury prevention in sports. 

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

SENINGTON Billy (Biosciences)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

BMS1046 Introduction to Biomechanics

Module content

Indicative content includes:
• Describing objects in angular motion
      o Includes angular position and displacement, velocity and acceleration
      o Anatomical systems for descriving limb movements
• Explaining causes of angular motion
      o Angular inertia and momentum
      o Interpretations of Newton’s laws of Motion in angular movements
• Use of angular kinematics and kinetics in inverse dynamics models
• Stresses and strains on the body
      o Stress, strain, stree-strain relationship
      o Mechanical properties of materials
      o Mechanical properties of the musculoskeletal system
• Theories of motor learning and skill acquisition
• Examples of biomechanical analysis to improve technique and training and to prevent injury

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Where practical laboratory sessions associated with assessed reports have been missed, or the student failed that particular unit of assessment, students will be provided with alternative experimental data to interpret, analyse, and report findings.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of angular motion and stress analysis and theories of motor learning and skill acquisition and their ability to apply these concepts in practical sporting situations.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Practical Data Collection and Analysis [Learning outcomes – 1,2,4]          (1 hour) – 50%

Examination [1,2,3]                                                 (2 hours) – 50%

Formative assessment and feedback

Verbal feedback in tutorials and lab sessions and written feedback on practical assessment  

Module aims

• An understanding of the principles of angular kinematics and causes of angular motion
• The ability to apply these principles to build an inverse dynamics model
• An understanding of fundamental principles of stress analysis and their application on the human musculoskeletal system
• An understanding of the theories underpinning motor learning and skill acquisition
• The ability to apply this understanding in sports situation involving analysing performance, improving technique and preventing injury

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

       o Provide the students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts of angular kinematics and kinetics, inverse dynamics and stress analysis
       o Provide the students with an appreciation of the theories of motor learning and skill acquisition
       o Provides the students with the opportunity to apply these principles in analysing various scenarios in performance analysis and injury prevention in sports

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures x 11 weeks


• Tutorial x 11 weeks


• Laboratory sessions x 4

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS2065

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.