Research Methods in Biomechanics

Research Methods in Biomechanics, Second Edition, demonstrates the range of available research techniques and how to best apply this knowledge to ensure valid data collection. In the highly technical field of biomechanics, research methods are frequently upgraded as the speed and sophistication of software and hardware technologies increase. With this in mind, the second edition includes up-to-date research methods and presents new information detailing advanced analytical tools for investigating human movement. Expanded into 14 chapters and reorganized into four parts, the improved second edition features more than 100 new pieces of art and illustrations and new chapters introducing the latest techniques and up-and-coming areas of research. Additional enhancements in this edition include the following: • Special features called From the Scientific Literature highlight the ways in which biomechanical research techniques have been used in both classic and cutting-edge studies. • An overview, summary, and list of suggested readings in each chapter guide students and researchers through the content and on to further study. • Sample problems appear in select chapters, and answers are provided at the end of the text. • Appendixes contain mathematical and technical references and additional examples. • A glossary provides a reference for terminology associated with human movement studies. Research Methods in Biomechanics, Second Edition, assists readers in developing a comprehensive understanding of methods for quantifying human movement. Parts I and II of the text examine planar and three-dimensional kinematics and kinetics in research, issues of body segment parameters and forces, and energy, work, and power as they relate to analysis of two- and three-dimensional inverse dynamics. Two of the chapters have been extensively revised to reflect current research practices in biomechanics, in particular the widespread use of Visual3D software.  In part III, readers can explore the use of musculoskeletal models in analyzing human movement. This part also discusses electromyography, computer simulation, muscle modeling, and musculoskeletal modeling; it presents new information on MRI and ultrasound use in calculating muscle parameters. Part IV offers a revised chapter on additional analytical procedures, including signal processing techniques. Also included is a new chapter on movement analysis and dynamical systems, which focuses on how to assess and measure coordination and stability in changing movement patterns and the role of movement variability in health and disease. In addition, readers will find discussion of statistical tools useful for identifying the essential characteristics of any human movement. The second edition of Research Methods in Biomechanics explains the mathematics and data collection systems behind both simple and sophisticated biomechanics. It assists both beginning and experienced researchers in developing their methods for analyzing and quantifying human movement.

Table of Contents:
Part I. Kinematics Chapter 1. Planar Kinematics D. Gordon E. Robertson and Graham E. Caldwell Description of Position Degrees of Freedom Kinematic Data Collection Linear Kinematics Angular Kinematics Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 2. Three-Dimensional Kinematics Joseph Hamill, W. Scott Selbie, and Thomas M. Kepple Collection of Three-Dimensional Data Coordinate Systems and Assumption of Rigid Segments Transformations between Coordinate Systems Defining the Segment LCS for the Lower Extremity Pose Estimation: Tracking the Segment LCS Joint Angles Joint Angular Velocity and Angular Acceleration of Cardan Joint Angles Summary Suggested Readings Part II. Kinetics Chapter 3. Body Segment Parameters D. Gordon E. Robertson Methods for Measuring and Estimating Body Segment Parameters Two-Dimensional (Planar) Computational Methods Three-Dimensional (Spatial) Computational Methods Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 4. Forces and Their Measurement Graham E. Caldwell, D. Gordon E. Robertson, and Saunders N. Whittlesey Force Newton’s Laws Free-Body Diagrams Types of Forces Moment of Force, or Torque Linear Impulse and Momentum Angular Impulse and Momentum Measurement of Force Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 5. Two-Dimensional Inverse Dynamics Saunders N. Whittlesey and D. Gordon E. Robertson Planar Motion Analysis Numerical Formulation Human Joint Kinetics Applications Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 6. Energy, Work, and Power D. Gordon E. Robertson Energy, Work, and the Laws of Thermodynamics Conservation of Mechanical Energy Ergometry: Direct Methods Ergometry: Indirect Methods Mechanical Efficiency Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 7. Three-Dimensional Kinetics W. Scott Selbie, Joseph Hamill, and Thomas Kepple Segments and Link Models 3-D Inverse Dynamics Analysis Presentation of the Net Moment Data Joint Power Interpretation of Net Joint Moments Sources of Error in Three-Dimensional Calculations Summary Suggested Readings Part III. Muscles, Models, and Movement Chapter 8. Electromyographic Kinesiology Gary Kamen Physiological Origin of the Electromyographic Signal Recording and Acquiring the Electromyographic Signal Analyzing and Interpreting the Electromyographic Signal Applications for Electromyographic Techniques Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 9. Muscle Modeling Graham E. Caldwell The Hill Muscle Model Muscle-Specific Hill Models Beyond the Hill Model Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 10. Computer Simulation of Human Movement Saunders N. Whittlesey and Joseph Hamill Overview: Modeling As a Process Why Simulate Human Movement? General Procedure for Simulations Control Theory Limitations of Computer Models Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 11. Musculoskeletal Modeling Brian R. Umberger and Graham E. Caldwell Musculoskeletal Models Control Models Analysis Techniques Summary Suggested Readings Part IV. Further Analytical Procedures Chapter 12. Signal Processing Timothy R. Derrick and D. Gordon E. Robertson Characteristics of a Signal Fourier Transform Time-Dependent Fourier Transform Sampling Theorem Ensuring Circular Continuity Smoothing Data Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 13. Dynamical Systems Analysis of Coordination Richard E.A. van Emmerik, Ross H. Miller, and Joseph Hamill Movement Coordination Foundations for Coordination Analysis Quantifying Coordination: Relative Phase Methods Quantifying Coordination: Vector Coding Overview of Coordination Analysis Techniques Summary Suggested Readings Chapter 14. Analysis of Biomechanical Waveform Data Kevin J. Deluzio, Andrew J. Harrison, Norma Coffey, and Graham E. Caldwell Biomechanical Waveform Data Principal Component Analysis Functional Data Analysis Comparison of PCA and FDA Summary Suggested Readings