Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE POD5031

 
TITLE Fundamentals of Clinical Biomechanics

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 10

 
DEPARTMENT Podiatry

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit starts by considering the fundamentals of biomechanics from the Life Sciences and Engineering perspectives. Concepts such as anatomy and musculoskeletal biomechanics and basic engineering mechanics and modelling as applied to the human system will be developed. The unit will ensure that all students, from whichever background (sport, clinical or engineering) will be able to use the methods and theories of all disciplines of biomechanics in order to be able to progress successfully through the degree of M.Sc. in Clinical Biomechanics.

Subjects covered will include, amongst others:

- Anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system;
- Mathematics and mechanics;
- Motion and joint motion, joint forces;
- Inverse and forward dynamics;
- Muscle function;
- Laboratory coordinate systems, Euler angles, matrices and transformations;
- Human body modeling for gait analysis, such as the Conventional Gait Model;
- Foot Models, such as the Oxford Foot Model;
- Neurological gait;
- Theoretical basis of the function of apparatus utilized in biomechanics labs;
- Materials properties and material testing;
- Biomechanics of orthoses.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit aims to give students an appreciation of the role of biomechanics in understanding and measuring human movement, in health, sporting and research applications.

Aims to stimulate the students to explore the principles of assessment of fundamental movement patterns and actions so as to gain theoretical experience in methods of measurement and analysis commonly employed in clinical biomechanics and performance analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Relate mechanical engineering concepts to the various aspects of clinical biomechanics;
- Explain the basic structure and function of the musculo-skeletal system, and identify key surface anatomical landmarks;
- Demonstrate an awareness of the role of biomechanics, and of how measurement methodologies can be applied in both sporting and health applications;
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of fundamental kinematic and kinetic mechanical principles, and apply these to the analysis of movement.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Identify key anatomical landmarks essential for placement of sensors appropriate to biomechanical tests to be carried out;
- Analyse a range of physical activities and select the most appropriate assessment methods from (one or all of) the disciplines of biomechanics;
- Apply knowledge of biomechanics to pathologies of the musculoskeletal system;
- Critically evaluate the importance of innovative diagnostic modalities with regards to human movement in health and disease.

Main Text/s:

- Perry J. 1992. Gait Analysis: Normal and pathological function. Slack Inc: Thorofare
- Criswell et al. 2011. Cram's introduction to Surface Electromyography
- Richards, J. 2008. Biomechanics in Clinic and Research. Churchilll Livingstone: Edinburgh.

Supplementary readings:

- Whittle, F. An Introduction to Gait Analysis. Butterworth-Heinemann
- Robertson, DGE et al. 2004. Research methods in biomechanics. Human Kinetics: Ilinois
- Brinkmann et al. 2002. Musculoskeletal biomechanics. Thieme: New York
- Valmassy,R. 2008. Clinical Biomechanics of the lower extremity. Mosby: Missouri.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Ind Study & Ind Online Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (3 Hours) SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit