SPORTS AND EXERCISE BIOMECHANICS - 2025/6

Module Overview

The module builds on students’ knowledge of the mechanical concepts (gained in BMS1046 ‘Introduction to Biomechanics’) used in describing and analysing movement and equilibrium of the musculoskeletal system in sports. Previously covered topics are developed and applied further, whilst new areas such as angular kinematics and kinetics, inverse dynamics and stress analysis are introduced. The module also introduces the students to principles of motor control, qualitative biomechanical analysis and the application of these concepts in performance analysis and injury prevention in sports.  

Assessments in this module are designed to give students the opportunity to apply knowledge of underlying theory and practical considerations in ‘real world’ contexts. Students will have to analyse a variety of data sets and synthesise meaningful findings in order to produce a laboratory portfolio. Students must also be able to apply the theoretical and practical concepts from this module to a case study-based viva voce examination (spoken exam). 

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: 

 

Practical:  

• Stretch Shortening Cycle 

• Gait Analysis  

• Motor Control 

• EMG 

 

Theoretical: 

•  Describing objects in angular motion 

      o Includes angular position and displacement, velocity and acceleration 

      o Anatomical systems for describing 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, stress-strain relationship 

      o Mechanical properties of materials 

      o Mechanical properties of the musculoskeletal system 

• Theories of motor learning  

• Examples of biomechanical analysis to improve technique and training and to prevent injury 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the course content and practical capabilities. Students will have an opportunity to collect and analyse data, using a variety of biomechanical tools, and formulate a lab portfolio to answer specific performance or injury-based questions. They will also be testing on the application of this knowledge to ‘real-world’ scenarios given in an oral examination. 

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of: 

Laboratory Portfolio – 40% of module mark 

Practical Viva Voce Examination – 60% of module mark 

The laboratory portfolio tests Learning Outcomes 1-5 with the Viva testing Learning Outcomes 1,2,3 and 5. 

 

Formative assessment: 

Students have an opportunity to attend coursework feedback sessions giving verbal formative feedback on their work both before they hand in their work and after they have received their marks back. 

Written feedback is also provided on their work when they receive their marks. 

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
• The ability to apply this understanding in sports situation involving analysing performance, improving technique and preventing injury
• An understanding of practical considerations when collecting biomechanical data.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to: 

Provide students with key underpinning knowledge to a level of understanding that allows them to think critically and apply key concepts to ‘real-world’ scenarios. Students will have a range of on-demand recorded content that will further their understanding of the concepts taught face to face. Each on-demand topic will support lecture, tutorial or practical sessions as either pre- or post-session support, allowing students to learn and explore ideas at their own pace. The theoretical and conceptual knowledge will be integrated into practical classes that are designed to deepen their understanding of the topic and to provide students with the practical and professional skills required to work in a sports and clinical biomechanical setting. Weekly tutorials will give students the experience of working with a variety of different data sets and translating these into findings that are impactful and easy to understand in an applied setting.  

 

Students will have an opportunity to display the applied knowledge gained from this module in a spoken, case study-based exam. This is designed to allow students to verbalise thought processes of how theoretical underpinning, practical considerations of data collection and applied impact of the collected results interlink.  

 

Throughout the module SurreyLearn will extensively be used to inform students and disseminate specific content such as lecture hand-outs and recordings, useful links and additional literature. SurreyLearn will also be used for communication between academics and students to effectively answer questions that are of relevance to all students. The learning and teaching methods include:  

Lectures 

Practical sessions 

Discussion-based tutorials 

Data processing tutorials 

Coursework guidance and feedback sessions 

On-demand content to support face-to-face learning 

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

Other information

Resourcefulness & resilience: A key theme throughout the module is methods of collecting data and their limitations. Therefore, there are key discussions around how to adapt protocol and analysis based on what they have available. Furthermore, the nature of the laboratory portfolio assessment means students must manage multiple deadlines with some overlap. This emphasises multi-tasking and the ability to work to deadlines under pressure. 

Digital Capabilities: Following on from BMS1046, the students get many more opportunities to work with different types of data in multiple programs and produce 'real world' outputs. They also get opportunities to further improve skills with common hardware such as video cameras and how camera phones can be used as a useful analysis tool. 

Employability: Provides clear links between underpinning theory and how these can be applied in practice. The module gives opportunities to improve key skills in data collection, processing and analysis with hardware and software that students will use in industry. Worksheets provide students with practice at producing understandable finding for lay audiences and the Viva Voce a chance for the students to verbally communicate applied impact within defined case studies. 

Global and Cultural Capabilities: The wide representation of different genders, ethnicities and disabilities within a variety of topic examples and case studies helps promote equality for all. Goal 5 and 10 of the UN SDG. 

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 2025/6 academic year.