Sport Biomechanics

Sports biomechanics is the study of athlete movement and the internal and external forces generated by or acting upon the body during sports activities. The application of biomechanics in sport can help athletes reach higher levels of performance while reducing their chance of injury. According to Beth Wilcox, PhD, sports medicine researcher at Mass General Brigham’s Center for Sports Performance and Research, "Professional sports teams have recognized the value of biomechanical applications in sport, and many now have full-time biomechanists on staff. Studying how athletes move, whether they are seasoned professionals or amateurs just starting out, can provide valuable lessons that help unlock potential and improve performance exponentially.” 

What is biomechanics? 

Biomechanics is a scientific field that applies the laws of mechanics and physics to the movement of living things. At its broadest level, it includes everything from learning how muscle cells contract, to analyzing the gait of a running horse, to understanding the complex, full-body movements of a dancer. 

Biomechanics in sports is a narrower field that provides valuable information to athletes, coaches, and sports medicine professionals to optimize performance and reduce the risk of injury. Biomechanical assessments can identify inefficient movement patterns, quantify rotational forces at individual joints, identify muscle imbalances, monitor fatigue and measure improvement of an athlete's movement quality during rehabilitation.  

Kinetics vs. kinematics 

Kinetics and kinematics are two important sub-categories of biomechanics. Kinetics examines the forces that cause motion, such as muscular force and gravity, while kinematics quantifies the properties of movement, such as velocity and acceleration. 

The importance of biomechanics in sports 

There are three main ways that biomechanics is useful in sports: 

• Optimizing performance: Studying an athlete's movement can identify where they can improve their technique, generate more power, conserve energy, and optimize the timing of sports-specific movement patterns. For example, biomechanical analysis in baseball may identify inefficiencies in a pitcher's kinematic sequence (their movement pattern across time) that prevent them from throwing as fast as their muscles allow.  
• Preventing injury: Biomechanical assessments can also help prevent injury and improve recovery protocols. For instance, biomechanical analysis of basketball players can identify inadequacies in how a player changes direction or lands after a jump. This information provides a basis for training to address these mechanics and reduce the risk of a knee injury, such as a torn meniscus or ACL rupture. 
• Improving equipment: Biomechanics can also be used to understand the relationship between the athlete, their environment, and their equipment. Biomechanical testing is used in the design and development of athletic footwear, apparel, and protective equipment. For example, biomechanical analysis of running shoes can help develop products that enhance running economy or better absorb the impact of foot strikes. Biomechanics has also been used in the development and validation of innovative sports technologies such as wearables, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment for athletes with disabilities.

Biomechanical analysis in sport 

Biomechanical analysis in sport takes many forms. A coach or medical professional visually assessing a runner's gait on a treadmill is a simple form of sports biomechanics. More advanced forms of biomechanical analysis integrate advanced technology to gain a deeper understanding of athletic movement than is achievable using the unaided human eye. 

Biomechanical technology in sports 

Biomechanical technology includes a wide variety of devices, including: 

• 3D motion capture systems: Multi-camera systems that accurately track and record 3-dimensional movements of athletes  
• High-speed cameras: Cameras with extremely high frame rates that allow analysis of movements at the level of hundredths or thousandths of a second 
• Force plates: Platforms embedded in the ground that measure force exerted by an athlete when performing various activities like standing, walking, jumping, or running  
• Inertial measurement units (IMUs): Wearable devices that include sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure movement 
• Electromyography (EMG): The measurement of muscles’ electrical activity during athletic performance 

FAQs about the biomechanics of sport and exercise

How is biomechanics used in sports?

Biomechanics is used to analyze an athlete's movements and the forces produced by and acting on that athlete’s body. This analysis can help the athlete improve their technique, optimize performance, and/or minimize the risk of injury. Biomechanics can also be used to understand the relationship between the athlete, their environment, and the equipment they use. Biomechanical testing is used in the design and development of sporting equipment such as footwear, apparel, protective equipment, wearables, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment for athletes with disabilities.

How can biomechanics be useful to athletic coaches and trainers?

Coaches can use the principles of biomechanics in sport to analyze player performance, identify inefficient technique, help players prevent or recover from injuries, and develop conditioning protocols that target athletes' areas of weakness.

What are some examples of biomechanics in everyday life?

Biomechanics is relevant to more than just sports. Most things we interact with can be understood biomechanically. For instance, automotive designers must consider the way human bodies move to build cars that are comfortable and easy to use. Biomechanics also explains many common movement problems: "text neck" is a perfect example of a biomechanical problem induced by the way we use an everyday object like a cell phone. "Text neck" refers to the strain and discomfort in the neck and upper back caused by looking down at mobile devices for extended periods. This posture can lead to muscle fatigue and pain.

What are biomechanics exercises?

Your movements—even those you think about and practice in athletic training—are the result of habits. These habits can be good (like squatting with your knees in line with your toes) or bad (lifting with your back). Biomechanics exercises are usually repeated exercises that encourage optimal movement patterns and help you develop better habits.