Aim and Content

Aim:

To learn basic principles in biomechanics and apply these principles to tissue, movement, examination methods and treatment, and understand how these forces act on the body.

Contents:

In biomechanics there are lectures regarding the basic principles of biomechanics and problem solving tasks related to forces acting on the body.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course, the candidate should be able to define and describe

- gravity point in each body part

- weight line

- mechanical system

- muscle power

- gravity force

- joint force

After completing the course, the candidate will under static conditions be able to figure out

- muscle strength

- joint forces

- the compression and translatoric component of joint forces

After completing the course, the candidate should be able to account for

- biomechanical properties of skeleton muscles

- stretch -strain relationship and the relationship between the connective tissue in the muscles and architecture

- biomechanical properties of tendon and ligaments

- stress -strain relationship, visco elastic properties, hysteresis, micro ruptures.

- biomechanical properties of joint cartilage

- stress-strain relationship, anisotrope properties

- biomechanical properties of bone tissue

- stress-strain relationship, anisotrope properties.

- biomechanical properties of nerve tissue

- stress-strain relationship, tissue pressure, blood circulation, strain

After completing the course, the candidate will be able to describe and discuss

- the changes in joint forces and muscle forces when the positions and directions of the forces changes.

- the biomechanical properties acting as basis for the examination and treatment techniques

- principle of motion in open and closed kinetic chains

- the impact of training in open or closed kinetic chains; joint loads, use of muscle forces in each specific joint

Course offered (semester)

First (spring) and second semester (autumn)

Course Unit Level

Master

Recommended previous knowledge

Before the start of the study the student should have to repeat biomechanics from the physical therapy education. It is recommended that the student read the introduction chapter of the biomechanics book of Nordin and Frankel.

Teaching Methods

20 h lectures and group work, as well as self-study

Compulsory Requirements

Lectures and teamwork are mandatory

Assessment methods

A written individual exam of 3 hours is given.

Internal and external examiner

Grading Scale

Grading scale A (Excellent) - F (Fail)

Reading List

It will be provided literature and tasks that will form the starting point for the students` learning activity. An overview of relevant books, book chapters and articles are put on the reading list.

Course Unit Evaluation

Evaluation questionnaire are provided to the students on the "student portal" or otherwise described. The results of the evaluation are annually reviewed by the teachers on the study.