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How Biomechanics has influenced Soccer
Biomechanics is the application of mechanical principles in the study of living organisms. (J. Hall, 1991, p. 524). For the purpose of this essay I will focus on how biomechanics has influenced soccer. Soccer is a worldwide sport that is played right from elite level all the way down to children playing in the school playground just for fun. Soccer is a popular sport in most countries, but it is just considered a sport to most people, they do not focus on the true biomechanics related to it. Biomechanics has an important role right from the Goalkeeper up the forwards. Throughout this essay I will focus on biomechanical factors related to the skills involved in the game, the equipment used in soccer, the surfaces played on and Injuries which are related to the sport.
The Kick
In soccer the main action which is involved is the kicking of the ball. I have researched many journal articles, books etc. but the main focus seems to be on the instep kick. According to Wickstrom’s (1975) there are four main stages to the motion in mature kicking:
(1) The withdrawal of the thigh and shank during the backswing
(2) The rotation of the thigh and shank forwards, which occurs as a result of hip flexion
(3) When the thigh angular velocity reduces, there is a corresponding increase in shank angular velocity up to impact with the ball
(4) The follow-through.
The graphs in Fig. 3 can be interpreted in relation to the progression of the kicking skill suggested by Wickstom’s (1975). During stage 2, both the shank and thigh increase their angular velocity. In stage 3, just before impact, there is an increase in shank angular velocity and a decrease in thigh angular velocity. A large angular velocity of the shan...
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...nd Sports Injuries. London: Sports Council.
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For years it was thought that the golf swing was a solid piece of movement without any differentiating variables. Vast expansion in technology over the last 20 years has produced more information on the biomechanics of the golf swing. “ Golf Biomechanics applies the principles and technique of golf mechanics to the structure and function of the golfer in an effort to improve the golf technique and performance” (Hume P., Keogh J., and Reid D. 2005) Biomechanics, “The scientific discipline that applies mechanical principles and to understanding movement.” (Hume P., Keogh J., and Reid D. 2005) allows scientists to observe a golfer’s swing to near milliseconds to the point of impact. This is much more precise to previous measurements used such as video recordings, outlines, etc. Understanding how the swing works by breaking down the movements within the swing through visual aids emphasize the opportunity for a better swing and in turn, better golf. Studies of biomechanics within the golf swing have shown the sequential separation from torso to pelvis, disproving the original theory of a solid swing with continuous motion known as the X-factor. Before understanding how the biomechanics of the golf swing works with the X-factor, the basics of the swing must be established.
When pitching, the pitcher needs to understand the different ways to use their body and learn about all of the different ways to throw the ball. Most people choose which way to throw based on how comfortable it is to them, but injury risk is also a huge factor. Biomechanics show people the best way to throw to achieve the highest success and avoid injuries.
Soccer are footwear which are worn for playing soccer. They play an integral part in a player’s performance. Modern day soccer cleats are far from the basic soccer cleats of the past. They involve different types of science and technology.
While over the spring break my father, boyfriend, and I partook in supporting our home towns local ice hockey team the San Antonio Rampage take on Grand Rapids Griffins. However, while going through the procedure of finding our seats, attaining snacks and beverages, and watching the game I was able to examine different kinesiology components throughout the event. Just by entering the AT&T center one can be overwhelmed by the lights and excitement of everything going on however, the organization going on here is very extensive and if broken down they can analyze how everything can relate to sports kinesiology in some way.
The debate on artificial turf continues to rage on. Artificial turf has been structurally designed to be a safer surface than grass and to be unaffected by weather. Have engineers succeeded in their goal? It has been said that artificial turf has different properties than grass, and when forces act upon it, artificial turf reacts differently and causes more injuries. I have played the majority of my sports on artificial turf over the last couple years. I have always wondered if the artificial turf has any effect on injuries. Obviously I want to play on the safest surface possible. Is artificial turf that surface? This paper will answer the research question: In what ways does artificial turf affect player injuries?
Kellis, E., & Katis, A. (2007). Biomechanical characteristics and determinants of instep soccer kick. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 6(2), 154-165.
Throughout literature countermovement jumps (CMJ) are seen to be higher in contrast to squat jumps (SJ) (Bobbert et al. 1996; Kubo et al. 1999; Bobbert et al. 2005). However present literature regarding the key potential mechanisms behind why greater muscle forces are seen accelerating the body upwards in CMJ in comparison to SJ is somewhat unclear. A CMJ can be defined as a positioning starting upright, beginning the descending motion in advance of the upward motion in contrast to a SJ where the start position is squatted with no preparatory countermovement (Akl 2013). The higher jump heights seen in CMJ in comparison to SJ are apparent even if at the start of propulsion phase the body configuration is identical (Bobbert et al. 1996). In past literature three main mechanisms have looked to provide an explanation for the greater muscle forces seen in CMJ than the SJ. The first plausible theory is that the muscle stretch in CMJ increases the production of force capability of the contractile machinery (Edman et al. 1978; Ettema et al. 1992; Herzog et al. 2003). Secondly the assumption that the muscle fibres are on the descending limb of their force–length relationship at the start of propulsion in the CMJ and SJ, however in CMJ the stretching of a chain of elastic components, they are not as far past optimum length therefore allowing a greater force over the initial phase of their shortening range, with the stretching of sequences of elastic components, this then causes the storage of elastic energy that is then reutilized in the propulsion phase (Ettema et al. 1992). The final explan...
Ed Barnes of Time magazine, after many interviews with professional football players, stated that “skin shreds from its abrasiveness; heads hurt from its hardness”(Barnes, Time.com). There is hardly enough cushion there to take the impact a 300 pound lineman driving another player into the ground. In the player’s eyes this new turf does not do what it claims it should. Although players should not be afraid just because turf causes turf burns and gives a slight headache after contact with it, anyone who plays on this surface should be afraid of a season ending knee or foot injury.
When you throw a football across the yard to your friend, you are using physics. You make adjustments for all the factors, such as distance, wind and the weight of the ball. The farther away your friend is, the harder you have to throw the ball, or the steeper the angle of your throw. This adjustment is done in your head, and it's physics. Physics is the branch of science that deals with the physical world. The area of physics that is most relevant to football is mechanics, the study of motion and its causes. The three main categories of motion that apply to the game are:
Retrieved 14 May 2014, from http://www.teachpe.com/a_level_analysis/movement_analysis_webpage.html. Thibodeau, G., & Patton, K. (1993). "The Species of the World. " Chapter ten: Anatomy of the muscular system. In Anatomy and Physiology (1st ed., p. 252).
This skill involves jumping in the sagittal plane about the transverse axis. It consists of hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder joints. In the preparation phase in propulsion, the subject has flexed knees and hips which will need to be straightened by the strength of their corresponding joints such as the hinge joint at the knee joint. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint that bears the body weight and allows for jumping motion. During th...
In the 19th century, soccer started to come to life in America. Some colleges started to play the game in the 1820s, with the first contest taking place at Harvard in 1827. Then, a huge invention took place in 1855. That year, the Charles Goodyear soccer ball was invented. Charles Goodyear created these soccer balls with vulcanized rubber. 12 years later in 1867, soccer took two huge steps. The first standardized soccer rules were published that year. Now, graduates from different schools could play together and had proper rules to follow when playing a game. But later that year, another just as, if not mor...
The problems and injuries that come with playing football have been obvious since the beginning, and to this day are still being discovered and researched in hopes of finding solutions so that the sport is not so dangerous. Malcolm Gla...
The amazing game of soccer is played on every continent, and is the world’s most popular sport. It is proven to be one of the number one sports to be played and watched. Because its fans and players are so dedicated, the sport continues to grow. Requiring only a ball and open space, the activity is available to anyone, whether rich or poor, male or female, athletic or not. Over the years, soccer has won the hearts of many because of its unique history, many benefits, and notable achievements.
Volleyball is a sport that includes many elements from physics. Next time you are playing or watching your friend or family member play volleyball think about the elements in physics involved. Without gravity,work velocity, acceleration, work,and the Newton's 3 laws of motion, volleyball wouldn’t be the same. In this paper I will explain how you can use work, velocity, gravity and acceleration along with newton's three laws of motion