Analysing movement using technology

Question 1

what are the 3 forms of technology used to analyse movement

Answer 1

• limb kinematics
• force plates
• wind tunnels

Question 2

define limb kinematics

Answer 2

study of movements of limbs in space & time taken to carry out movements - includes study of gait

Question 3

outline limb kinematics (3)

Answer 3

• reflective markers on bony landmarks
• filmed using multiple video or infra-red cameras
• data transferred to digital format for analysis

Question 4

advantages of limb kinematics (4)

Answer 4

• data immediately available & accurate
• coaches use analysis to make changes/improvements to technique
• analyses sports technique to avoid injury
• can improve or help select equipment - e.g. graphite tennis rackets & synthetic strings
• can calculate velocity & acceleration

Question 5

disadvantages of limb kinematics (3)

Answer 5

• equipment is expensive
• lab conditions - techniques difficult to perform as lack space & similarity to real life
• results don’t take into account individual differences

Question 6

define force plates

Answer 6

platform that measures all forces applied when performer stands, steps across or jumps on it

Question 7

outline force plates (3)

Answer 7

• platform embedded in ground measures ground reaction forces performer generates
• vertical or horizontal forces can be measured
• data generated - force time graph, power, & acceleration information (electronically)
  ( graphs can be creates - force-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time)

Question 8

advantages of force plates (5)

Answer 8

• fate & accurate results generated
• analysis of gait & take off & landing technique (explosive power) - identify technique & efficiency improvements
• results useful to plan conditioning & development programmes
• can prevent injury
• can help with injury rehabilitation (recovery)

Question 9

disadvantages of force plates (2)

Answer 9

• equipment = expensive
• lab conditions - difficult to perform/replicate

Question 10

define wind tunnel

Answer 10

chamber through which air is forced

Question 11

outline wind tunnel

Answer 11

• object/performer placed in tunnel
• controlled flow of air forced through
• airflow around object studied to measure resistance around it
  (reduce air resistance to increase speed/velocity)

Question 12

advantages of wind tunnels (3)

Answer 12

• equipment & technique adapted to increase aerodynamic properties, reduce effect of air resistance, & increase performance (speed)
• wind speed & direction controllable to mimic competitive conditions
• individual pieces of equipment can be tested - e.g. bike hemet, clothing, bike frames

Question 13

disadvantages of wind tunnels (2)

Answer 13

• equipment = expensive - usually located in engineering facilities/research labs
• real life conditions may be impacted unexpectedly - results not always realistic

Question 14

sports that use wind tunnels (3)

Answer 14

• cycling
• skiing
• Formula 1