Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise - 2E / Edition 2

by Peter McGinnis

Overview

Like the groundbreaking first edition, Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise, Second Edition, introduces exercise and sport biomechanics in simple and concise terms rather than focusing on complex math and physics. With a unique presentation of biomechanical concepts supported with illustrations, the book helps students learn to appreciate external forces and their effects, how the body generates forces to maintain position, and how forces create movement in physical activities.

Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise, Second Edition, allows students to discover the principles of biomechanics through observation of common activities. By observing ordinary activities firsthand, students will be able to develop functional and meaningful explanations, resulting in a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanical concepts. This practical approach combines striking visual elements with clear and concise language to encourage active learning and improved comprehension.

Many new benefits are in the second edition for students and instructors alike:  
 · More sample problems throughout the book to illustrate problem-solving techniques
 · A quick reference guide of frequently used equations printed on the inside cover
 · A new chapter on technology used in the study of biomechanics
 · Review questions at the end of each chapter to test the reader's understanding of important concepts
 · A new instructor guide outlining each chapter and step-by-step solutions to the quantitative problems presented, as well as a test package

Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise, Second Edition, is ideal for those needing a deeper understanding of biomechanics from a qualitative perspective. Designed for students who will likely take only one course in biomechanics, the text prepares students to utilize the principles of biomechanics as professionals in the physical activity field. Thoroughly updated and expanded, Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise, Second Edition, makes the biomechanics of physical activity easy to understand and apply.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2900736051018
Publisher:	Human Kinetics Publishers
Publication date:	11/01/2004
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	424
Product dimensions:	8.46(w) x 11.24(h) x 1.16(d)

About the Author

Peter M. McGinnis, PhD, is a professor in the department of exercise science and sport studies at the State University of New York, College at Cortland, where he has taught since 1990. Before 1990, Dr. McGinnis was an assistant professor in the department of kinesiology at the University of Northern Colorado. During that time he served as a sport biomechanist in the Sports Science Division of the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, where he conducted applied sport biomechanics research, tested athletes, taught biomechanics courses to coaches, and developed educational materials for coaches.

Dr. McGinnis is also a biomechanist for the pole vault event for USA Track and Field. As a member of the American Society of Testing Materials, he serves as chair of a task group on pole vault helmets and secretary of a pole vault equipment subcommittee. He has authored numerous articles and technical reports about the biomechanics of pole vaulting, and has been a reviewer for Sports Biomechanics, the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, and the Journal of Sports Sciences.

Dr. McGinnis is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine; American Society of Biomechanics; and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. He received a PhD in physical education from the University of Illinois in 1984 and a BS in engineering from Swarthmore College in 1976.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments

Introduction: Why Study Biomechanics?
What Is Biomechanics?
What Are the Goals of Exercise and Sport Biomechanics?
The History of Sport Biomechanics
The Organization of Mechanics
Basic Dimensions Used in Mechanics
Summary

Part I: External Biomechanics: External Forces and Their Effects on the Body and Its Movement

Chapter 1. Forces: Maintaining Equilibrium or Changing Motion What Are Forces?
 Classifying Forces
 Friction 
 Addition of Forces: Force Composition
 Resolution of Forces
 Static Equilibrium
 Summary

Chapter 2. Linear Kinematics: Describing Objects in Linear Motion
 Linear Kinematics 
 Uniform Acceleration and Projectile Motion 
 Summary 

Chapter 3. Linear Kinetics: Explaining the Causes of Linear Motion
 Newton's First Law of Motion: Law of Inertia
 Conservation of Momentum 
 Newton's Second Law of Motion: Law of Acceleration
 Impulse and Momentum 
 Newton's Third Law of Motion: Law of Action-Reaction 
 Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
 Summary

Chapter 4. Work, Power, and Energy: Explaining the Causes of Motion Without
 Newton
 Work
 Energy
 The Work-Energy Relationship 
 Power 
 Summary

Chapter 5. Torques and Moments of Force: Maintaining Equilibrium or Changing
 Angular Motion
 What Are Torques? 
 Forces and Torques in Equilibrium 
 What Is Center of Gravity? 
 Summary 

Chapter 6. Angular Kinematics: Describing Objects in Angular Motion
 Angular Position and Displacement 
 Angular and Linear Displacement 
 Angular Velocity 
 Angular and Linear Velocity
 Angular Acceleration 
 Angular and Linear Acceleration 
 Anatomical System for Describing Limb Movements 
 Summary 

Chapter 7. Angular Kinetics: Explaining the Causes of Angular Motion
 Angular Inertia
 Angular Momentum
 Angular Interpretation of Newton's First Law of Motion
 Angular Interpretation of Newton's Second Law of Motion
 Angular Impulse and Angular Momentum 
 Angular Interpretation of Newton's Third Law of Motion 
 Summary 

Chapter 8. Fluid Mechanics: The Effects of Water and Air
 Buoyant Force: Force Due to Immersion 
 Dynamic Fluid Force: Force Due to Relative Motion
 Summary

Part II: Internal Biomechanics: Internal Forces and Their Effects on the
 Body and Its Movement

Chapter 9. Mechanics of Biological Materials: Stresses and Strains on the
 Body
 Stress
 Strain 
 Mechanical Properties of Materials: The Stress-Strain Relationship 
 Mechanical Properties of the Musculoskeletal System
 Summary 

Chapter 10. The Skeletal System: The Rigid Framework of the Body
 Bones
 Joints
 Summary 

Chapter 11. The Muscular System: The Motors of the Body
 The Structure of Skeletal Muscle
 Muscle Action 
 Muscle Contraction Force
 Summary 

Chapter 12. The Nervous System: Control of the Musculoskeletal System
 The Nervous System and the Neuron 
 The Motor Unit 
 Receptors and Reflexes 
 Summary

Part III: Applying Biomechanical Principles

Chapter 13. Qualitative Biomechanical Analysis to Improve Technique
 Types of Biomechanical Analysis 
 Qualitative Biomechanical Analysis to Improve Technique
 Example Analyses 
 Summary 

Chapter 14. Qualitative Biomechanical Analysis to Improve Training
 Biomechanics and Training
 Qualitative Anatomical Analysis Method
 Example Analyses 
 Summary 

Chapter 15. Qualitative Biomechanical Analysis to Understand Injury Development (Steven T. McCaw)
 Mechanical Stress and Injury
 Tissue Response to Stress 
 Mechanism of Overuse Injury
 Individual Differences in Tissue Threshold
 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Affecting Injury
 Running 
 Summary

Chapter 16. Technology in Biomechanics
 Quantitative Biomechanical Analysis
 Measurement Issues
 Tools for Measuring Biomechanical Variables 
 Summary 

Appendix A: Units of Measurement and Conversions
Appendix B: Answers to Problems and Selected Review Questions
Glossary
References and Suggested Readings
Index
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

3 Stars from Doody

Reviewer: Brad Bowser, MS, PhDC (University of Georgia)
Description: Similar to the first edition of this book published in1999, the second edition provides a comprehensive examination of mechanics as they relate to the human body in exercise and sports. Different than most books on biomechanics, it starts first by describing the underlying mechanical principles that act on the body. It then gives information on those same mechanical principles within the body followed by several sections that apply the mechanical principles to various situations in sport and exercise.
Purpose: In the words of the author, the goal of this book is to present an introduction to the biomechanics of human movement in a clear, concise, reader-friendly manner. This objective is important in helping those students with a limited understanding of math and physics. Due to the simplicity of the examples and the several practice problems at the end of each chapter, many of the difficult mechanical principles are easy to understand.
Audience: This textbook was written primarily for undergraduate kinesiology, exercise science, and physical education students. Furthermore, this book can be used by those students with a limited background in math and physics. It would be particularly useful for those who go into sports studies or coaching. The author is a credible authority in biomechanics and a leader in his field.
Features: Divided into three main sections, the book begins with specific information on the mechanical principles commonly used in biomechanics while filtering out the unnecessary information. By placing mechanics first, the book emphasizes their importance in biomechanics and allows students to see more clearly how mechanics can be applied to the body. The examples and practice problems new to this edition also help the student understand and provide insight into how to apply mechanical principles to the body. One helpful unique feature is the front cover of the book, which includes a quick reference of several equations and abbreviations commonly used in biomechanics. One concern is that those students who have a background in math and physics may find this book too simplistic and redundant.
Assessment: This book is very effective in explaining how mechanical principles can be applied to the body during sport and exercise for those with limited knowledge in math and physics. The examples and practice problems added to this edition, along with the rearranging of the order of presentation (mechanics being discussed first), justify the replacement of the previous edition.

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