Basic Biomechanics

Study of the mechanics as it relates to the functional and anatomical analysis of biological
systems and especially humans. It is necessary to study the body’s mechanical
characteristics & principles to understand its movements.

Study of physical actions of forces is known as mechanics and it is divided into static and
dynamic. Statics - study of systems that are in a constant state of motion, whether at rest
with no motion or moving at a constant velocity without acceleration. Statics involves all
forces acting on the body being in balance resulting in the body being in equilibrium.
Dynamics - study of systems in motion with acceleration. A system in acceleration is
unbalanced due to unequal forces acting on the body.
 Kinematics-A branch of biomechanics that describes the motion (e.g, how fast, how
high, etc.) of body without consideration given to its mass or the forces acting on it.
 Kinetics-The study of forces associated with motion. Example: Pushing on the table
may or may not move the table, depending upon the strength and direction of the
push.
Pulley- A grooved wheel that turns on an axel with a rope or cable riding in the groove. Help
in to increase or decrease the magnitude of force.
Biomechanical levers-
 The interaction between internal and external forces ultimately controls our
movement.
 These forces interact through a system of bony levers, with the pivot point located
at the axis of rotation of our joints.
 Through these systems of levers, the internal and external forces are converted to
internal and external torques, which ultimately cause movement (or rotation) of our
joints.
 A lever will either favor power or distance (ROM), but not both
 Any advantage gained in power is lost in distance and vice versa

Classes of Levers:

1. First class lever-The axis if located between the force and resistance, Just like a
seesaw! (F-A-R) Ex: Elbow extension, Triceps
2. Second class lever- The resistance is located between the axis and the force • Just
like a wheelbarrow! (A-R-F) Ex: Plantar Flexion, Gastrocnemius and soleus
3. Third class lever-The force is located between the axis and resistance • Imagine
someone moving one end of a boat away from a dock while the front of the boat is
tied to the dock! (A-F-R) Ex: Elbow Flexion, Biceps Brachii and Brachialis
Line of Pull:

A muscle’s line of pull, sometimes called the line of force, describes the direction of
muscular force. The relationship between a muscle’s line of pull and the axis of rotation of a
joint determines the action that the muscle produces.
Muscles with a line of pull anterior to the
mediallateral axis of rotation of a joint will
produce flexion in the sagittal plane
(anterior deltoid).

A line of pull that courses posterior to the

mediallateral axis of rotation, such as the
posterior deltoid, produces extension in the
sagittal plane.