PHED 224 -- Biomechanical Analysis
PHED 224 -- Biomechanical Analysis
You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself. Galileo Galilei
The world does not pay for what a person knows, but it pays for what he does with what he knows. Lee
If you have not had PHED 185 (Kinesiology), please notify me.
Cinematographic techniques will be used to analyze sport events. Previous study in anatomy, kinesiology, and physics will be required. Computer usage will be taught to facilitate the analysis of individual sport events.
This course is an introduction to research in biomechanics. The focus is on asking and answering questions about skillful/safe movement. After a review of the core concepts of kinesiology and an overview of science and technology, we will study movement technique from conceptual, historical, and philosophical perspectives. Then we will develop bibliographic and technical tools to answer biomechanical questions that arise from our individual interests and experiences.
There is no required text. You will be expected to read several articles and the like over the course of the semester. Many articles and other reference materials will be available on WebCT. The remaining articles will be self-selected from our library and elsewhere. Lab manuals will be used as reference material.
Attendance is expected. The exchange of information among students is an important means of learning in this course. Also, we will be covering topical and technical material which is not readily available in published form.
Your ideas are important. Using the ideas of another without proper credit represents academic dishonesty. Penalties for academic dishonesty will be correlated with the degree of dishonesty but may include failure in the course. If in doubt, please ask in advance.
Disabilities and emergencies will be accommodated if possible. Early notification affords more options.
Asking questions is encouraged. If you have a question, please ask.
Week Dates General Class Topics Assignments Points 1. 1/26-1/30 Orientation to biomechanics
Educing core conceptsReview kinesiology 10 2. 2/2-2/6 Visualizing core concepts
Orientation to lit, technologyApply core concepts 30 3. 2/9-2/13 Philosophy of asking questions
HistoryBrowse biomechanics
Prelim. bibliography30
104. 2/16-2/20 Conceptualizations of skill
Research designAssess quest./philo.
Ask five questions30
105. 2/23-2/27 Operationalizing variables
Filming fundamentalsAnnotate articles I
Ask five questions30
106. 3/2-3/6 Peak demonstration
Brainstorm group projectsAnnotate articles II
Ask five questions30
107. 3/9-3/13 Collect group project data
DigitizingFilming protocol 50 8. 3/16-3/20 Smoothing, calculating
Body segment parametersSet up group files 9. 3/30-4/3 Group project reports Verbal group project 20 10. 4/6-4/10 Filming individual projects Written group project 80 11. 4/13-4/17 Filming individual projects Research design 12. 4/20-4/24 Integration reports Verbal integ. report
Set up indiv. files50 13. 4/27-5/1 Force measurement, etc. Written integ. report 200 14. 5/4-5/8 No tech, low tech options Individual data files 15. 5/11-5/15 Individual project reports Verbal indiv. report 50 16. 5/18-5/22 Technology exam (100 pts) Written indiv. report 250
The individual laboratory-based paper and the individual library-based paper must each reach the level of minimally adequate work (D) in order to pass the course. Oral reports are presented during class time; 20% of points for that assignment will be forfeited if not presented on schedule. Miscellaneous assignments will receive full points if on task (and an invitation for revision, if not) and on time. You may contract in advance to alter or eliminate certain miscellaneous assignments; otherwise you will be expected to complete each assignment or forfeit points on your grade.
Written assignments are normally due at Thursday's class period. Extensions until 5 p.m. Friday in the scheduled week will customarily be granted if a) the additional time will lead to more learning, and b) the learning of other students will not be compromised by extending the due date. Lengthier extensions may be given by request before the due date, but such papers lose priority in grading and points may be forfeited if such tardiness impedes learning by other students. Assignments will be evaluated in the order received with preference given to typed papers.
Contract Option: If you believe that any assignment is unlikely to enhance your learning, please propose an alternative assignment that better fits your needs. In addition, you may propose to eliminate certain miscellaneous assignments with the understanding that the individual papers will be weighted more heavily in computing the course grade. If this option is used, agreement must be mutual and before the due date.
For the major assignments, emphasis should be placed on asking a good and answerable question, selecting and evaluating relevant information, providing enough detail to inspire confidence, and drawing warranted conclusions. Cohesion and clarity are critical. Style will not be graded unless it detracts from content.
Semester
GradeTotal
PointsA 934-1000 A - 900-933 B+ 867-899 B 834-866 B - 800-833 C+ 767-799 C 734-766 C - 700-733 D+ 667-699 D 600-666 F 0-599
Definition of Grades at CSU, Chico
- A -- Superior Work
A level of achievement so outstanding that it is normally attained by relatively few students.- B -- Very Good WorkA high level of achievement clearly better than adequate competence in the subject matter/skill, but not as good as the unusual, superior achievement of students earning an A.
- C -- Adequate Work
- A level of achievement indicating adequate competence in the subject matter/skill. This level will usually be met by a majority of students in the class.
D -- Minimally Adequate Work
A level of achievement which meets the minimum requirements of the course.
F -- Unacceptable Work
A level of achievement that fails to meet the minimum requirements of the course. Not passing.