Dr.

MAHWASH ZULFIQAR
KHAN

COURSE NAME Introduction to Biomechanics

& Ergonomics

COURSE CODE DPT-405

 Kinematic Concepts for Analyzing
Human Motion
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Common units of measurement for mass,
force, weight, pressure, volume, density, specific
weight, torque and impulse
• Different types of mechanical loads that act on
human body.
• Uses of available instrumentation for
measuring kinetic quantities
“Cardinal planes” are those that divide the body in halves. The cardinal sagittal
plane divides the body into right and left halves. The cardinal transverse plane
divides the body into upper and lower halves. The cardinal frontal plane divides the
body into front and back halves.
the sagittal plane (/ˈsædʒɪtəl/), or longitudinal plane, is an anatomical plane which
divides the body into right and left parts. The plane may be in the center of the
body and split it into two halves (mid-sagittal) or away from the midline and split it
into unequal parts (para-sagittal).
A coronal plane (also known as the frontal plane) is any vertical plane that divides
the body into ventral and dorsal (belly and back) sections. It is one of the three
main planes of the body used to describe the location of body parts in relation to
each other axis.
The transverse plane or axial plane (also called the horizontal plane or transaxial
plane) is an imaginary plane that divides the body into superior and inferior
parts. It is perpendicular to the coronal plane and sagittal plane
What is anatomical reference
position?
• Erect standing position with
all body parts facing forward
• Considered the starting point
for all body segment
movements
Reference planes:

• sagittal plane - in which forward

and backward movements occur
• frontal plane - in which lateral
movements occur
• transverse plane - in which
rotational movements occur
What movements occur in the sagittal
plane?

Flexion Extension Hyperextension

Dorsiflexion Plantar flexion

What movements occur in the
frontal plane?
What movements occur in the transverse
plane?
 REFERENCES
Basic biomechanics of musculoskeletal system By:
Nordin & Frankel, 3rd edition.
Basic Biomechanics, By: Susan J. Hall 4th edition.
Additional study material as assigned by the tutor.
Ergonomics for the therapist by Karen Jacobs 3rd
edition mosby and Elsevier publishers
Thanks