Sarcopenia definition
Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function.
What physical characteristics decline with aging?
Decreased muscle mass, decreased strength, decreased physical activity, decreased food intake.
Main causes of sarcopenia?
Neural apoptosis, imbalance in protein synthesis/degradation, inactivity, hormonal imbalance, insufficient protein intake.
Effects of sarcopenia on physical function?
Increased disability, increased dependency, higher medical-care costs, reduced physical functioning.
Can age-related muscle decline be reversed?
Yes — strength training can delay or reverse age-related decline.
Prevention strategies for sarcopenia
Strength training, hormonal therapy, dietary intervention, reducing sedentary time.
Definition of biomechanics
Application of mechanical laws to living structures, especially the human locomotor system.
Applications of biomechanical analysis
Improve skill technique; design equipment; injury prevention; analyze movement pathologies; prosthetics; rehab; animation; ergonomics.
Qualitative vs quantitative movement analysis
Qualitative = non-numerical observation. Quantitative = numerical measurement from collected data.
Definition of mass
Quantity of matter; measured in kg.
Definition of force
Force = mass × acceleration; units = Newtons (N).
Definition of weight
Weight = mass × gravity (9.81 m/s²); units = Newtons.
Definition of pressure
Pressure = Force ÷ Area (N/m² or N/cm²).
Compression tension shear
Compression = squeezing; Tension = pulling; Shear = parallel force.
Definition of a lever in the body
Bones act as bars; joints are fulcrums; muscles apply force.
Three parts of a lever
Force point (effort), resistance point (load), fulcrum (axis).
Force arm vs resistance arm
FA = perpendicular distance to force line; RA = perpendicular distance to resistance line.
First-class lever
Fulcrum between force and resistance; MA can be >1, <1, or =1.
Second-class lever
Resistance between fulcrum and force; always MA > 1 (force lever).
Third-class lever
Force between fulcrum and resistance; always MA < 1 (speed lever).
Mechanical advantage formula
MA = Force Arm ÷ Resistance Arm.
Torque definition
Torque = Force × Moment Arm; units Newton-meters.
Definition of center of gravity (CG)
Point where body weight is balanced; intersection of all 3 cardinal planes.
Typical CG location in humans
~5 cm anterior to S2 OR ~6 cm below navel; slightly higher in males.