BPK 201 applies the principles of Newtonian mechanics to analyze human movement. The course examines the forces that are generated in muscles and joints to support external loads and produce movements. The subject matter of the course is relevant to quantifying all forms of physical activity, including activities of daily living, athletic performance, and physically challenged movement patterns. The course will draw on numerous examples relevant to rehabilitation, sports medicine and orthopaedics. This course is designated quantitative.

There are 13 weeks of lectures, 3 hours of lecture per week and one 50-minute tutorial per week.

The course consists of six main units:

Unit 1 Biomechanical Forces & Moments

Unit 2 Biomechanical Systems & their Inertial Properties

Unit 3 Forward Dynamics, Inverse Dynamics & System Identification

Unit 4 Motion

Unit 5 Balance & Stability

Unit 6 Energy, Work, Power & Efficiency

Student Learning Outcomes for BPK 201

(I) Introduces (E) Emphasizes (R) Reinforces (A) Applies

Learning outcomes: at the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Apply biomechanical principles to solve quantitative and qualitative problems. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
2. Correctly apply free body diagrams to isolate mechanical systems and solve for joint torques and forces
3. Understand the inertial properties of body segments for linear and angular movement these systems, and correctly draw free body diagrams. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
4. Apply biomechanical principles to the whole body and/or individual components to construct biomechanical models of human systems. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
5. Explain the function of biomechanical equipment and devices, including motion capture and force plates. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
6. Quantify human motion, including linear and angular kinematics. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
7. Understand how muscle forces stabilize joints against external loads. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
8. Describe the principle of balance and stability, particularly in human standing and walking. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
9. Describe the concepts and equations of static and dynamic equilibrium, and the application of inverse and forward dynamics models for estimating joint loads and for system identification. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A)
10. Explain how muscle, bone, cartilage and tendon are designed to meet the mechanical demands of daily activities and how they respond to trauma. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
11. Describe how muscle generate force and perform work. (I)(R) (TE) (IC) (A
12. Explain applications of biomechanics in illness and mobility disorders, exercise and athletics, rehabilitation, injury prevention, sports medicine and orthopaedics. (I) (TE) (IC) (A)
13. Describe basic signal processing, have a basic entry-level understanding of programming, and write a short program to process and analyze some data.(I) (TE) (IC) (A)

Assessment Method:

(TE) Theory exams are a mix of quantitative problem solving, short answer questions, multiple choice and fill in the blanks (one midterm and final)

(IC) Quizzes on lecture material are short answers, fill in the blanks, and multiple choice.

(A) Assignments are mostly formal problems requiring quantitative solutions, which are completed independently.

All materials will be provided on Canvas. There are no fees.