What is Biomechanics?

Simply stated, biomechanics is the study of the effects of forces on living systems. A common application is the study of human motion. Forces are all around and within us and are essential to our existence. For instance, without external forces such as the ground reaction force and friction, it would be impossible to effectively engage in ambulation (e.g. accelerating optimally or coming to a stop). Internally, our muscles contract to generate the forces essential to enabling movement. During space flight, astronauts must seek surfaces to pull or push against to generate motion due to microgravitational forces, and because of the associated weightlessness, maintaining bone density in space is a huge concern.

Brief History

Interest in investigating the mechanical principles that govern human movement can be traced back to before the common era (BCE). Although the underlying principles that govern biomechanics are based on Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion, many others have contributed to the field’s advancement. The proliferation of computers and technological advances in the 20th and 21st centuries have led to tremendous growth within the discipline.

Current and Future Application

Popular areas of interest include (1) identifying risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries and diseases, (2) optimizing performance by refining movement mechanics, and (3) tracking participant’s response to specific stimulus through load monitoring. Examples of populations typically investigated include athletes across the lifespan, children with cerebral palsy, individuals diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, and aging adults at risk for falling.

At George Mason University’s Sports Medicine Assessment Research and Testing Laboratory (SMART Lab), members of the community can sign up for a 3-D gait analysis which is an injury assessment protocol. During the assessment, the individual’s walking and/or running gait is first assessed for symmetry and then compared to a growing global database to identify potentially atypical mechanics.

The future is promising. Miniaturization is playing a significant role in our ability to quantify biomechanical factors in natural settings thereby allowing us to engage in consequential research outside the laboratory.

This feature is authored by Oladipo Eddo, assistant professor in Mason’s Kinesiology program in the School of Kinesiology. To learn more about degree offerings within the Kinesiology discipline, please visit the program website.