Biomechanics

Kinematics: This branch studies the motion of bodies without considering the forces that cause the motion. It includes parameters such as velocity, acceleration, and displacement.

Kinetics: Unlike kinematics, kinetics deals with the forces and torques that cause motion. It involves the study of inertia, momentum, and the application of Newton's laws of motion.

Statics: This area focuses on bodies at rest or in equilibrium. It examines the forces and moments acting on structures and organisms that are not in motion.

Dynamics: Dynamics is the study of bodies in motion and the forces causing such motion. It combines principles from both kinematics and kinetics.

Stress and Strain: These concepts are fundamental to understanding how materials deform under various loads. Stress is the internal force per unit area within materials, while strain is the deformation resulting from stress.

Sports and Exercise: Biomechanics helps in enhancing athletic performance and reducing the risk of injuries. It involves analyzing movements to optimize techniques and equipment.

Medical and Rehabilitation: Biomechanics is crucial in developing prosthetics, orthotics, and other assistive devices. It also plays a significant role in physical therapy and rehabilitation practices by understanding how injuries occur and how to prevent them.

Ergonomics: This application focuses on designing workplaces and tools that fit human body mechanics to improve safety and efficiency.

Orthopedics: In orthopedics, biomechanics aids in understanding the mechanics of bones, joints, and muscles to treat conditions such as arthritis and fractures.

Gait Analysis: Biomechanics is used to study and analyze human walking patterns, which can help diagnose, treat, and manage walking disorders.

Robotics and Prosthetics: Insights from biomechanics are used to design more effective robots and prosthetic limbs that mimic natural movement.

Motion Capture Systems: These systems use cameras and markers to capture and analyze the motion of subjects.

Force Plates: Devices that measure the forces exerted by the body, often used in gait analysis and sports biomechanics.

Electromyography (EMG): A technique for recording the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles to understand muscle function.

Computational Models: Simulations that use mathematical models to predict the behavior of biological systems under various conditions.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA): A computational method used to predict how objects will react to external forces, deformation, and other physical effects.