FAQ
- What is biomechanics?
- What is performance analysis?
- How do I become a biomechanist or performance analyst?
- What equipment do you use?
- Can I get some testing done?
- How do I get work experience placement with biomechanics/performance analysis?
- What services do you offer athletes?
- Can you help me do an assignment?
- Does AIS Biomechanics and Performance Analysis have Open Days for the public?
Q - What is biomechanics?
A - Biomechanics is the study of human motion, the forces that produce that motion and the effects of those forces on and within the human body. Whenever a force is applied to the body, it can be analysed and its cause and effect can be interpreted. Applied sports biomechanics incorporates techniques and applications from physics, human anatomy, mathematics, computing and engineering to analyse technique to prevent injury and to improve performance.
More information is available in the 'our environment' section of this website
Q - What is performance analysis?
A - The term Performance Analysis is used to describe an emerging area of activity that links disciplined insights. These range from the 'expert' observations a coach makes in training and competition environments, to the insights that sports scientists, sports medicine practitioners and physical therapists provide. The unit works with coaches to explore these links and to develop better practice.
More information in available in the 'our environment' section of this website.
Q - How do I become a biomechanist or performance analyst?
A - First contact has typically been through their university courses of human movement, sport science or physical education. Increasingly, high school students are gaining an interest through the inclusion of biomechanics as a component of the physical education curriculum.
More information is available in the 'careers' section of this website
Q - What equipment do you use?
A - AIS Biomechanics and Performance Analysis employs the latest technology and conducts world-leading research to develop equipment for sports analysis. It is very hard to purchase a commercially produced biomechanics sports analysis system so AIS Biomechanics employs research technicians to assist in the design and development of sports-specific analysis systems.
Q - Can I get some testing done?
A - Biomechanics analysis is very time consuming and therefore can be very expensive. The time taken to set up the equipment, conduct the testing, analyse the results and then produce the report can vary from half a day to a number of weeks. We do, however, conduct some commercial testing for some sports, but the availability of the staff to perform commercial projects is very much determined by the Australian Institute of Sport's training and competition schedules and the AIS athletes take priority.
Q - How do I get a work experience placement with biomechanics/performance analysis?
A - Opportunities for work experience or student placements in AIS Biomechanics and Performance Analysis are available both for postgraduate and undergraduate Australian students.
More information is available in the 'careers' section of this website
Q - What services do you offer athletes?
A - AIS Biomechanics and Performance Analysis plays a key part in monitoring and servicing athletes, for example, with track and field athletes the program has established three types of testing, competition analysis, laboratory testing and field testing. Each type of testing is critical to enhancing athlete performance and is regularly used to assist athletes and coaches to optimise performance. Currently the focus is on the 100, 200 & 400m Sprints, 400m Hurdles, Hammer and Discus throws, Long, Triple and High jump and Walk events. Work is also carried out at a national level during major domestic competitions in a cooperative effort with State Sport Institutes and Academies.
Details of track and field testing types are as follows:
-
Competition analysis
The Biomechanics team attend the various levels of competitions (local Canberra meets to Olympic Games) where athlete’s maximal effort performances are recorded to provide data for subsequent analysis. The analysis provides coaches with invaluable information relating to current performance weakness and strengths such that future training interventions to improve performances can be made.
- Laboratory testing
This is the most comprehensive type of testing. It allows for a more detailed monitoring of technique variables through the use of more technologically advanced equipment, such as in-ground force plates and high-speed motion analysis systems in a controlled environment. This type of testing provides the opportunity to identify, for the coaches, key kinetic and kinematic variables that could be improved to increase performance. Once identified, interventions can be made to improve performance, with the above variable/s being monitored by subsequent field and/or laboratory retests. The laboratory testing is also in research projects and in association with the medical/physical therapy departments for injury prevention purposes.
- Field testing
As technological advances are made in area of micro technology, monitoring of athletes in the field is becoming more popular. Field testing allows for analysis of performance of the athletes in their training environment, this being more convenient for the coach and athlete as it can be done as part of the normal training program. The athlete is also more likely to provide a more normal performance during the testing. Technology is also allowing for a greater opportunity to provide immediate feedback of data analysis and as such can be used during technical sessions as a training tool.
More information is available in the 'our environment' section of this website
Q - Can you help me do an assignment?
A - Staff of the Department of Biomechanics and Performance Analysis do not routinely provide assistance to school assignments.The AIS National Sports Information Centre has information that may be of assistance to you
Q - Does AIS Biomechanics and Performance Analysis have open days for the public?
A - The AIS Biomechanics and Performance Analysis laboratory is sometimes open to the public during major AIS open days. The last one of these was held as part of the 25th birthday celebrations for the AIS in 2006. At present, there are no plans to open the AIS Biomechanics laboratory to the public.
