What is Biomechanics?
The human body is essentially a system of weights, levers and devices for producing force; the weights of the body segments, the skeletal structure acting as the levers, and the muscles and nervous system's creating force.
When these go wrong...
The importance of all the application of the physical laws to human movement and the effect on the body of habitual failure to observe the principles dictated by these laws have Long been understood and applied by those involved in rehabilitation (Broer & Zernicke, 1979).
Every individual is constantly faced with the problems of moving and controlling the body masses so as to maintain stability at rest or in motion (or using instability to advantage) and of producing and controlling the force required for a particular purpose(s). In addition, many activities require moving and controlling objects that increase lever length and therefore may compound the mechanical problem If the laws of mechanics are not applied effectively, either the purpose is not accomplished or the individual suffers strain or undue fatigue, or both (Broer & Zernicke, 1979).
How do we test for these imbalances?
A contraversial subject some when presently we have many matrix's and systems being offered:
Although a subject with much debate, there are some basic rules to method of movement analysis (better known as a screen!) that give guidance to the approach purpose.
Burton and Miller (1988) summarised the focus of screening purpose;
However, it is important to consider that there is an important criteria that needs to be met when deciding upon a screen to use with a client. In 1991 the Task Force on Standards for Manual Physical Therapy (TFSMPT) set a standard inclusive to screening.
1. Validity
2. Construct Validity
3. Reliability
“A professional administering and interpreting a screen must be aware of how much variability can be accepted from a particular screen, and whether the amount of variability is acceptable for the purpose of the assessment.”
