Biomechanics
of
Human Movement
KNR 282.01 & .02

Instructor: Dr. Steve McCaw
Office: Horton 227B
 
E-Mail: smccaw@ilstu.edu

             Office Hours Fall 09
After class, & by appointment
Syllabus Assignment
Due 8-20-09
 
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Exam 3 scores added, November 12 @ 1:49 p.m. .
 
   

Gradebook Section 1
Gradebook Section 2
Grades are posted by your top secret six character identifier submitted with the Syllabus Assignment.

PowerPoint Presentations &
Other Helpful Class Materials
Available from PIP printing in the Bone Student Center
PACKET #28 for Fall 2009

Data/Articles from lectures for homework (might be used)
Anthropometric Data for Introduction Homework
100 muscles article for Introduction Homework
Fishing rod on the bus.
Bloomington to Chicago
Johnson vs Lewis
Acceleration Figure
Biomechanics in the Comics
Basketball Throw Checklist
Moment & sense identification
Patella Femoral Stress Table
Purpose: KNR 282 provides you with a basic understanding of the anatomical and mechanical constraints to human motion. Course emphasis is on the mechanics of movement.
Class Format: Two 75 minute lectures, T and Th,
Section 1: 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Section 2: 9:35 a.m to 10:50 a.m.
 
Textbook &
Readings
Materials: An electronic calculator with the trig functions. (Bring to class each and every day, and to exams.)
Prerequisites and Instructional Rationale: ISU students are expected to have a strong background in reading, writing and mathematics, including introductory through advanced algebra and geometry (ISU Undergraduate Catalog). Biomechanics has roots in physics and a good grasp of high-school algebra will help you succeed. Consult with me if you feel your math skills are rusty (or non-existent). The formal pre-requisites for the course are KNR 181, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and PHY 105 or 108.  KNR 181 covers gross structure and physiology of the human body with particular attention to the locomotor system. A strong grasp of anatomy is expected of students entering Biomechanics. PHY 105 or 108, additional pre-reqs, provide your introduction to Newtonian mechanics. Good study habits are the most critical pre-requisite for success. It is expected that you will do the assigned readings, will complete assignment problems on time, will attend all lectures and laboratory sessions, and will not hesitate to ask questions either during class time or during my office hours.

Tips for success from your mother (Chronicle of Higher Education, 9/16/2005)
Objectives: At the end of this course, you will be able to use biomechanical principles to help identify and correct errors in skill performance, and to reduce injury risks. Specifically, you will be able to:
  1. Describe Newton's Laws of Motion and how they apply to exercise and sport.
  2. Detail the factors that impact technique improvement in human movement.
  3. Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative techniques for analyzing human movement.
  4. Demonstrate how muscle functions to affect human movement.
  5. Apply the biomechanical principles essential to improve performance and reduce injury.
  6. Describe how improper technique limits the ability of the human body to produce effective movement.
  7. Explain the importance of research in analyzing human movement.
Evaluation:
  Exam dates may change. % final grade
Homework, Labs, Quizzes, Group Work. Typed, start of class only 20%
Exam #1 Tuesday, 9/15 20%
Exam #2 Thursday, 10/15 20%
Exam #3 Thursday, 11/12 20%
Final Exam look it up online. 20%
Note: all exams during first 50 minutes of class, except final. There will be an exam review in class immediately after exams 1-3.
Each exam is comprehensive.
Questions are based on labs, homework & previous exams.
Exams MUST be taken on the scheduled date at the scheduled time unless prior arrangement is made with the instructor.

 Unannounced quizzes may be given at the discretion of the instructor. You are responsible for all material covered in class and in assigned readings. If you plan to graduate at the end of the semester, or if you have an internship/student teaching or other intensive responsibilities for next semester, see me as soon as you anticipate trouble passing the class.

Thanksgiving /March Break Attendance Policy

Interested in extra credit? click here
Grading Scale:
A : >=90%                       Note: there is no rounding up of
B: >=80% to < 90%                grades.  The sum of your
C:  >=70% to < 80%                component grade scores is 
D: >=60 to < 70%                   used to assign your grade. 
F: Less than 60%
Expectations: Class assignments, lab assignments and exam answers should reflect your strong background in reading and writing. ALWAYS proofread your written text and correct errors in spelling and grammar before you submit your work. Call the University Center for Learning Assistance for help with your written work.

Give heed to the following acronym LEARN:
  • Learn the language.
  • Express yourself and get feedback concerning your ideas.
  • Ask the "dumb" question that others are too timid to ask.
  • Read more than is required.
  • Never give up on yourself.
Nota bene: Homework, group assignments and in-class quizzes are given at random during the lecture. If you miss a lecture (ie personal illness, family emergency, job interviews, sports, a field trip, medical appointments, sleeping in,), feel free to contact the instructor about material covered during that lecture but do not contact the instructor regarding assigned homework, group work, or a quiz. Emails/phone calls/door notes/messages to the secretary inquiring about homework will be ignored.
All sources of your answers must be cited properly. 
Your name, the course name, your section number, and the due date must be typed in the top right corner of the first page of your assignment, even if that is the only text required in the assignment (ie it is a problem involving a math equation to be solved). Homeworks & quizzes must be stacked in alignment with all other students submitted work.
Computer and/or printer glitches (including no ink/ribbon or cartridge) are not an excuse.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned date.
Violation of any requirement will result in a zero for the assignment. You are allowed four (4) missed homework/quiz/groupwork points during the semester, which includes illness, funerals, vacations, injury, medical appointments, oversleeping, lack of interest, forgetting to bring the assignment from the <library, home, apartment, car, computer lab, printer, other backpack, dog's stomach, etc>, and any other possible reason you might miss a class and or fail to submit an assignment. If you miss more than four, for whatever reason, sorry.
If a completed, submitted homework does not appear on the gradesheet, bring the stamped homework to the instructor within four class periods of the date (fall & spring) or two class periods of the date (summer).

Tentative Topics & Schedule of Exams.
Intro: What is biomechanics and why should we study it?
Force: Chapter 1 and Chapter 3
Exam 1, (Tuesday  9/15)
Linear kinematics: Chapter 2
Force (cont'd), Bob Norman article
Exam 2, (Thursday, 10/15)
Work, power, and energy
Torque and moment of force
Exam 3, (Thursday, 11/12)
9. Mechanics of Biological materials: Stress and Strain
10. The Skeletal System
11. The Muscular System
12. The Nervous System
13. Qualitative biomechanical analysis to improve tech
14. Qualitative biomechanical analysis to improve training
15. Qualitative biomechanical analysis to understand injury
16. Technology in biomechanics
Final Exam : look up on-line
last content changes: 11/12/09
 
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