| CODE | MEC5204 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal System | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Mechanical Engineering | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This unit provides the synergy of Anatomy, Physiology, and Mechanics to describe musculoskeletal systems, and analyze the motion generated by muscles. This unit will provide basic knowledge related to human motion and the various measurement techniques to obtain data for analysis and description of kinematic parameters of the movement - velocity and acceleration. Muscular mechanics provides deeper knowledge about a motor unit, its types, their characteristics, and recruitment. This unit will provide the tools for characterization, and analysis of the human movement. Anthropometry will be introduced as a necessary component in the evaluation of the forces and moment prior to kinetics, mechanical work, energy, and power will be discussed. Study-unit Aims: This unit will introduce students to the different techniques used to capture and measure the human motion as a source data to analyze kinematic quantities, forces, and moments generated by muscular activity. The importance of anthropometry for kinesiology will be highlighted. The evaluation of reaction forces and moments for upper and lower extremity, the spine, and head will also be explained together with computation of mechanical work, energy, and power. Gait analysis will be introduced as a common human activity together with electromyography as a common tool. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - comprehend the basic principles of muscle contraction; - appreciate different methods to measure the muscular force; - recognize the structure for a specific function; - distinguish between normal posture and postural abnormalities; - appreciate the factors influencing the characteristic of a gait. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - correctly compute the anthropometric data of a subject; - quantify kinematical parameters of the movement; - quantify forces and moments in the system; - carry out the gait analysis and recognized the pathological case. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: 1. David .A. Winter, (2009) Biomechanics and motor control of human movement (4th ed.) Wiley 2. Jim Richards, (2008) Biomechanics in clinic and research: an interactive teaching and learning course, Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier 3. M. Nordin & V.H. Frankel (Ed.), (1989) Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal system (2nd ed.) Lea & Febiger 4. C.A. Oatis, (2004) Kinesiology: The mechanics & pathomechanics of human movement, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lect, Ind Study, Group Learn, Practicum & Tutorial | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Zdenka Sant Sharon Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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