Course information
SG2804 Biomechanics of human movement, 7.0 hp 2021
Welcome to the course in Biomechanics of Human Movement at KTH! This document describes the course aims, teaching activities and the basis for grading. The examination will consist of a series of homework projects and a final group project (written reports and oral presentations).
What is Biomechanics of human movement?
Biomechanics is a large, and ever-growing field that broadly can be defined as applying the use of mechanics to study living systems. Many different definitions have been proposed, covering topics as wide as fluid flow, tissue engineering, joint modeling, in vivo measurements, etc. For this course, we can apply Hay’s definition (1973):
Biomechanics is the science that examines forces acting upon and within a biological structure and effects produced by such forces
wherein forces include internal forces or external forces, which must be measured or modeled accurately, and may be attributed to movements of segments or tissue deformation. The study of biomechanics of human movement may include the mechanics that produce movement, the analysis of movement and forces, prediction of movement, etc.
This course
This course will focus on movement of the human body and accompanying forces, fundamentals of motion production, analysis, and modeling. The course focuses first on the anatomy and physiology of the human muscle-force system, then on biomechanical applications involved in human movement. From this foundation, the course will focus on methods to analyze biomechanical problems, including kinematics and kinetics of movement and the muscle force system. Relevant topics requiring such analyses will be discussed. Emphasis is placed not only on computation, but also on interpretation and critical evaluation of results.
Objectives
This course is aimed towards upper level undergraduates and masters students.
After the course, the student should be able to:
- Apply principles of classical mechanics to the study of human motion
- Describe motion with precise, well-defined mechanical and anatomical terminology
- Describe the internal and external forces acting on the body during typical human activities
- Understand how muscle actions control movements
- Understand the dynamic relationship between structure and function in the musculoskeletal system
- Model muscle activation and human movement
- Understand the methods and limitations of different experimental and analytical techniques used
Instruction
Instruction will be in the form of 2-3 lectures per week (a total of 17 lectures), at least one 2-hour session of experiments in the KTH MoveAbility lab, and ~4 computer labs (2 hours each).
Lectures will be held in lecture rooms according to the schedule as long as we are permitted.
Computer labs will all be streamed. Refer to the schedule for the zoom link. You are welcome to participate in the computer room if you’d like, but note that Ruoli may not be there. Bring headphones with a microphone.
Prerequisites
Most students are expected to have complete courses in basic mechanics and dynamics, with possible exception to those studying Sports Technology. No previous coursework in anatomy or physiology is required.
Literature
The course book will be: Biomechanics of Movement; The Science of Sports, Robotics, and Rehabilitation, by Thomas K Uchida and Scott L. Delp. ISBN 9780262044202. It’s available for purchase from internet bookstores, both as a book and as an e-book (though the e-book is more expensive). It’s also possible to rent the e-book via the publisher (MIT Press)
No one book covers all topics unfortunately, so I’m including a list of other recommended literature, which can either be borrowed from me for short periods or borrowed from libraries. Hamill, Knutzen and Derrick is an excellent overall introduction to biomechanics and functional anatomy, and was the previous course book. Nigg & Herzog covers many topics, but with a major exception of motion and functional anatomy, and is not easily read. Robertson et al is good for experimentalists and researchers, but has very little introduction to the area. Some other complementary reading assignments may be suggested.
- Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement, 4th Ed, J. Hamill, K.M. Knutzen and T. Derrick.
- Research Methods in Biomechanics, by D.G.E Robertson, G.E. Caldwell, J Hamill, G. Kamen, and S.N. Whittlesey
- Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement, 4th Ed, by David Winter
- Biomechanics of the Musculo-skeletal system, 3rd Ed. edited by B. M. Nigg & W. Herzog
- Kirtley: Clinical Gait Analysis – Theory and Practice
- Nigg, MacIntosh & Mester: Biomechanics and Biology of Movement
- Nordin & Frankel: Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System, 3rd Ed
Software
The open source program OpenSIM version 4.0 from SimTK will be used in several assignments. It is a free, open-source software (https://simtk.org/projects/opensim). It is installed in the computer lab, and I recommend you install it on your own computers.
Course Staff
The course is given by faculty at KTH Engineering Mechanics, with guest lectures from Karolinska University Hospital and from GIH.
Main instructor: Professor Lanie Gutierrez-Farewik lanie@kth.se 790 7719
Assistant teacher: Asst. Professor Ruoli Wang ruoli@kth.se 790 6801
TA: Israel Luis, PhD student ailp@kth.se
Examination
There are a total of 4 project assignments - 3 project/’homework’ assignments during Period 3 and one final project, all to be performed in a group of 2-3 students. I will assign groups randomly.
Projects/assignments. Information and data for all assignments will be uploaded throughout the period. The assignments vary in how demanding they are, but they are all rather demanding. Each assignment has a due date approximately two weeks after the previous and all are compulsory to get a final grade. I expect this due date to be fulfilled unless we have made a previous agreement. I hope to only make exceptions for travel, illness, etc., and that the majority of participants will have completed all course requirements directly after the final meeting.
Projects are compulsory, and are to be submitted in report form, with emphasis placed on synthesis and interpretation of results, not simply on the computation. Programming code is to be attached as an appendix when relevant.
Final project: The project will also be completed in groups and presented orally only. I will create the groups later in the period and will be open to suggestions, though only later in the course period.
Grading: For each assignment, between 0-10 points will be given, depending on the ambition achieved and the assignment quality. The final project will be graded between 0-20 points. This makes a total of 50 points of which 20 are required to pass the course. Furthermore, a minimum of 2 points must be earned on each homework assignment to pass the course. Grading:
20-24 25-30 31-36 37-42 43-50
E D C B A
Contact
The course page is on the KTH Canvas course web.
Schedule
We have 2-3 lecture times per week, 3-4 computer labs, data collection at the KTH MoveAbility Lab.