According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), biomechanics is the study that uses principles of physics to examine how forces interact in a living body. The body is one multi-functioning unit, compromised of the kinetic chain. The kinetic chain is the combination of the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems. All systems must work together to produce movement. Muscles function in three planes of motion: sagittal, frontal and transverse. During movement they shorten, stabilize and lengthen. There must be proper alignment in order to have proper movement.
Significance
Proper biomechanics is needed to function normally in everyday life. Proper biomechanics is needed to sit, stand, lift and bend. Athletes need proper biomechanics to be in top form and perform at their best.
Identification
When suffering from chronic back or knee pain of unknown origin, find a professional who can assess your condition and examine your posture. Often pain and inflammation are caused by imbalances in the kinetic chain and faulty postural alignment. Physical therapists, personal trainers, orthopedic doctors and coaches can help assess your situation.
Benefits
The benefits of proper body mechanics include less chance of injuries, less back pain, better functioning in everyday life and better athletic performance.
Prevention/Solution
According to the Colorado Comprehensive Spine Institute, the spine is subjected to abnormal stresses when there's a lack of proper body mechanics. This can cause repetitive-use injuries and lead to degeneration of spinal structures such as discs and joints.
NASM says imbalances in the kinetic chain can lead to changes in balance and neuromuscular efficiency. Kinetic chain imbalances include altered force-couple relationships and length-tension relationships. The length-tension relationship is the length at which a muscle produces the most force. A force-couple relationship is muscles producing movement around joints. All must be working properly in order for movement to occur efficiently.
The Colorado Comprehensive Spine Institute says good posture leads to proper body mechanics. The spine should be in a "neutral" position, which means not rounded and not arched. By practicing good posture, the kinetic chain will align, and movement will be more efficient.
Improve Poor Posture
In an article titled "Biomechanics 101," Alexandra Kalnitsky gives a few examples of improve poor posture. She suggests a chin tuck and shoulder squeezes. A chin tuck is performed by sitting or standing and gently pulling your chin back. Shoulder squeezes are performed by bringing your elbows behind you while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Tags: kinetic chain, assess your, biomechanics needed, body mechanics, chin tuck