GRADES 9-12
BIOMECHANICS OF JOINTS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Who uses and investigates sports related biomechanics? Studies are often conducted by university researchers and professors. Biomechanics also is important to sports federations like the United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) or the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and all the other sports represented in the Olympics, like gymnastics and swimming. The U.S. Olympic committee has a sports science group with biomechanists on staff. Not all sports focus on biomechanic studies. Team or contact sports have been difficult to study. In wrestling, for example, there are simply a lot of body parts hidden from view. Coaches need to understand biomechanics as well as the players themselves. Professional players benefit by understanding areas of improvement. For beginners, biomechanics helps the individual understand the basic athletic motion production. Knowledge of biomechanics is important in the sports industry for those who design equipment. Groups like the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and NOCSAE (pronounced Noxsey, National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) determine the standards and testing for athletic equipment from bike helmets to running shoes to racquets. Biomechanic studies have been used to: Enhance performance; Correct problems; Recognize and create new playing techniques; Injury prevention; Injury recovery; Develop athlete physical training programs. For example, a professional tennis player may compete an average of 7 years. What if we could extend that longevity to 8-9 years? We could increase the time that they can compete injury free. There's a monetary value that can be placed on that additional 1-2 years of professional play. We can use this information to support the longevity for any player, not just the professionals. What's an optimal training schedule? Many pros train 4 hours a day, 6 days per week. Tennis player, Jimmy Connors trained only 1 1/2 hours a day - but it was focused and concentrated. Which is better? In general, is one training method superior to another? Is it dependent on the individual or the skill level? Studies have been conducted that confirm that tighter tennis racquet strings create more control, while looser strings create more power. That's not "intuitive". You might actually think that the ball has a longer "dwell time" (remains on the strings longer) if the strings are tighter, but that isn't so. Should you imitate a champion? Not necessarily. Although a tremendous amount can be learned from watching them, their strength, agility and endurance is probably far greater than yours.