ALTIS – Foundational Course

There is no magic line where capacity stops being relevant, and efficiency
takes over.  What I am saying is that capacity is relatively more important
for improving a developing athlete, while efficiency is relatively more
important for improving an elite athlete.   

 Mechanical efficiency is the ratio of the useful energy delivered by the

system to the energy supplied to it. It is important to point out the
difference between gross efficiency (ηgross) and net efficiency (ηnet), where
ηgross is power/total energy expenditure, and ηnet is power/(total energy
expenditure – resting energy expenditure), normally expressed as
percentages (Brooks, 2012).

Efficient movement is defined by movement expression characteristics that

improve performance and reduce metabolic and or structural costs. Correct
movement would be judged against a biomechanical model built out
longitudinally with diverse populations and abilities to define bandwidth
metrics for key markers. Optimal movement is judged long term using the
above mentioned guidelines and thought trains.

Mechanics is a branch of physics that look at the action of forces on the body and the motion of said
bodies.

Statics, dynamics = kinetics and kinematics

Motor Learning explains the changes in a Movement Pattern either by practice or new experience.

Smoothness, repeatability and accuracy of the movements are all connected with Motor Learning

Kinesiology studies the connection between the anatomy and physiological processes affecting the
movement.

KINETICS (magnitude, direction, force) – MOTION AND WHAT CAUSES THE MOTION

Causes of movement

KINEMATICS (limb movement, position in space, center of mass) – GEOMETRY OF MOTION LOOKING
AT GEOMETRY THROUGH TIME. – NEED PLATES, GATES ETC.

Descriptions of movement.
KPI (what’s occurring at velocities) – Acceleration/Vectors(angles of movement) against time
consideration./ Deceleration / Lateral Translations.

Kinematics more useful, more useful,

NEWTON’S LAW OF MOTION

1st law – INERTIA

An object will continue in a state of constant velocity (or remain at rest)
unless acted upon by a net external force (an unbalanced force).

Inertia describes an object’s reluctance to change. An

object doesn’t gain, lose, or overcome inertia on its
own. A loss or gain of mass is the only means by
which an object can change its inertia. As such, mass is
what determines the inertial characteristics in the
context of linear motion. If an object’s mass remains
unchanged, its inertia remains unchanged.

Coaching implication: If a performer is carrying

excess mass beyond that which is necessary, they will
possess greater inertia which will limit their ability to
rapidly change speed or direction.

2nd law – ACCELERATION

Force = Mass x acceleration (F = ma)

If we apply this together with Newton’s First Law, we can state that a force
is required to change the momentum of an object or body. Newton’s Second
Law then explains that the rate at which an object or body gains or loses
momentum is dependent on the applied force.
3rd law – ACTION REACTION
For every force that is applied by an athlete to another body or object,
there is an equal and opposite force exerted by the second body on the
first.

 As we have just established, Newton’s

First Law – inertia, states that an object at
rest will remain at rest and vice versa,
unless acted upon by an external force.
 With the Newton’s cradle, the ball that is
pulled away then released from the others
wants to continue to move once it is in
motion, and the balls at rest want to remain
at rest.
 Once moving, the swinging ball has a
specific amount of momentum.
 When it is stopped by the collision with
the stationary balls, the momentum is
transferred to the neighboring ball, which
can’t move – as it is surrounded: It
therefore has to transfer its momentum to
the next neighboring ball, and so on.
 When the transfer reaches the last ball in
line, as it is free to move, it swings away.
 This process is repeated until the energy
loss in the system due to air resistance,
friction, and vibrations means the system
eventually comes to rest.

FRICTION
 Friction is a force type which is evident when a body moves across the
surface of another body. It is described as a force that opposes or
impedes the motion of the body in question. The reason skiers wax their
skis for example, is in an attempt to reduce, and minimize friction.