Biomechanics

Purpose

The purpose of this resource is to articulate, promote and facilitate the successful integration of world leading Biomechanics Support into the High Performance (HP) Sport environment, to contribute to sustained podium success at the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games. The resource is an extension of the knowledge section of the Biomechanics Success Profile, designed to articulate and promote the knowledge, technical proficiencies and skills required to deliver world leading Biomechanics support both within the system, and to external stakeholders. Such as Exercise and Sport Science Australia and Universities, to assist in their strategic planning in supporting the Sport Science industry and its students, graduates, and practitioners.

Target audience

• Biomechanists and Movement Scientists
• Managers and Leaders
• Coaches
• Performance Support Practitioners
• Exercise and Sport Science Australia
• Universities

Biomechanics support framework

The framework below highlights the key role elements and considerations for a Biomechanist to be a successful and impactful member of a Performance Team. Further information can be found in the Biomechanics Success Profiles (Early and Senior Career) which provides expanded detail for the competency, experience, knowledge and personal attribute elements.

1. Our primary goal is to support the enhancement of competition performance, and/ or the progression towards it throughout the performance pathway.
2. To do this effectively, we need to understand the determinants of competition performance, both globally (at the sport and event level) and at the individual athlete level.
3. This is informed through knowledge of the event and athlete based on the discipline foundational principles and sport-specific context.
4. Once this is understood, we advise on an intervention aimed at enhancing competition performance, targeted to specific sport, event, and individual athlete needs.
5. We assess the response; adjust as required and repeat the process.
6. As scientists, it is our job to measure the above elements accurately, consistently, and as comprehensively as practical in a manner that maximises ecological validity.
7. Our knowledgeis the technical and/or professional information we have acquired that, as scientists, our analysis, interpretation, and recommendations are anchored to.
8. Experience helps shape the practical application of our knowledge of the science to the context we are working in to help deliver successful outcomes for athletes.
9. We rely on our competencies (e.g., planning, decision making, earning trust, influencing) to provide valuable insights and recommendations.
10. Our personal attributes (e.g., integrity, humility, inclusivity, openness) are critical in delivering insights to coaches, athletes, and other members of the performance team.

Section 1 - First principles and complementary skillsets

Frist principles

The first principles include the primary skillsets that are associated with the role of a Sport Biomechanist within the Australian HP sports system.

Section 1

Foundation concepts

Post-graduate level of understanding and application of Biomechanical first principles for analysis of human movement including:

• Newton’s three laws of motion, inertia, mass, force, momentum (linear and angular) and impulse.
• Types of forces (friction; drag; 3D contact forces, moments and joint reaction forces).
• Interrelationship between linear and angular motion components (displacement; velocity and acceleration)
• Equilibrium and human movement including levers (force, axis, resistance and the mechanical advantage of anatomical levers), stability and balance (centre of gravity, base of support and line of gravity)

Section 1

Anatomy and muscle mechanics

Post-graduate level of understanding of internal structures and how they react to both internal and external forces; with the ability to critique training interventions or clinical assessments. Key knowledge components include:

• High level of structural and functional anatomy as related to effective human motion.
• Understanding structural loading consideration associated with training and competition and rehabilitation programs.
• Ability to convey biomechanical movement pattern considerations to S&C and Physiotherapists
• Understanding both mechanical and neuro-mechanical principles to optimise movement patterns

Section 1

Kinematic and kinetics

Post-graduate level standard in understanding and quantifying kinematics and kinetics as related to HP sport. Key knowledge components include:

• The ability to describe key athlete kinematics as related to effective movement patterns
• Capacity to understand and quantify key principles related to projectile motion
• Understand mechanics of critical internal and external forces and the effects on these forces on human motion
• The ability to understand the effects of critical forces on interactions with the external environment or associated sporting implements

Section 1

Signal and data processing

Post-graduate level knowledge of processes and principles required to uncover actionable insights from complex signal data through filtering, appropriate visualisations and finding patterns in the time- and frequency-domains. Key knowledge components include:

• Understanding sources of noise and artifacts within empirical data and determine steps to reduce or eliminate noise at both the data collection and post-processing stages.
• Understanding the impact of noise within data on results and calculated derivatives.
• Selection of appropriate signal conditioning solutions based on the activity, data and critical variables of interest.
• Application of appropriate visualisation methodology to present information

Complementary skillsets

The complementary skillsets include those associated skillsets that are considered integral to working as a Sport Biomechanist within an effective support team in the Australian HP sports system.

Section 1

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is a multi-component skillset that includes question identification, problem solving, critical review, iteration and project scoping. Key features include:

• The ability to provide relevant and well-focussed questions to problem solving in the sport-specific context.
• Has a quality assurance mindset to seek clarity, consistency and accuracy with interpreting other research or during solution iteration.
• The capacity to test conclusions and reasoning against specific relevant criteria
• Has a causal approach to understand the effects and implications of actions/interventions, systems and ideas
• Is cognizant to recognise bias (including self-bias) and is open to alternate ideas, views and information.

Section 1

Effective end-user communication

• Capability to accurately simplify complex information/principles for maximum coach/athlete understanding/uptake.
• Ability to demonstrate the capacity to provide contextual referencing of biomechanical principles in sports-specific scenarios.
• Uses a mixed-learning approach to convey information based on the coach/athlete’s preferred method of learning.

Section 1

Interdisciplinary Teamwork

Capability to proactively build effective working relationships within a multidisciplinary team and to work together as an effective team to advance performance support goals.

Section 2 - Technical proficiencies

Technical proficiencies component outlines technical competencies related to skillsets, knowledge and processes around commonly used testing/monitoring equipment modalities and procedures.

Section 2

Force/pressure measurements

Proficiency in the direct kinetic measurement of external loads and forces through use of either forceplates, pressure transducers or load cells. Key competencies would include an understanding of the forceplate/load cell/pressure transducer mechanism technology; quality assurance processes for calibration and data collection; and best practice post-processing procedures.

• Base level – practitioner has a solid understanding of forceplate, pressure transducer and loadcell capture, calibration and data collection processes and procedures
• Intermediary level – effectively conduct kinetic analyses using forceplates, pressure transducers or bespoke 2D/3D load cells in sport-specific scenarios through all phases including calibration processes; data collection; post-processing pipelines; and result interpretation and presentation. Demonstrated application of principles of signal conditioning appropriate to the activity being analysed.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level proficiency in the area of kinetic analysis and has the capacity to derive more complex performance metrics (such as centre of pressure/postural sway analysis) to inform a critical variable analysis of an athlete’s performance. High level of  signal conditioning application to the post-processing pipeline to optimise data integrity.

Section 2

Electromyography (EMG)

Proficiency in the use of EMG to derive accurate muscle activation patterns, timing and strength through understanding of best practice data collection principles and proficiency in effective post-processing procedures.

• Base level – practitioner has a solid understanding of EMG principles and best practice processes and procedures.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is able to effectively conduct a surface EMG analysis through all phases including calibration processes; athlete mark-up and surface anatomy identification; data collection; post-processing pipelines; and result interpretation and presentation.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level proficiency in surface and/or fine wire EMG operation with high level knowledge of best practice processing (including windowing; time/frequency domain analysis) with the capacity to drive sports-specific muscle activation models or analysis.

Section 2

Optical 3D motion capture

Proficiency in the operation of recognised 3D motion capture systems to derive accurate 3D kinematics using best practice processes and procedures.

• Base level – practitioner has a solid understanding of 3D motion capture principles and best practice processes and procedures
• Intermediary level – practitioner is able to effectively conduct a 3D motion analysis using a recognised motion analysis system through all phases including calibration processes; athlete mark-up; data collection; post-processing pipelines; and result interpretation and presentation.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level proficiency in the operation of a 3D motion analysis system with the ability to modify or develop 3D models for bespoke applications.

Section 2

Inertial Measurements Units (IMUs) systems

Proficiency in the operation of IMUs to describe athlete or system kinematics with regards to understanding the principles and limitations of the  sensors; fusion algorithms and calibration processes.

• Base level – practitioner has a solid understanding of single IMU components; operational considerations; and best practice processes and procedures
• Intermediary level – practitioner is able to effectively collect single or multi unfused IMU data through all phases including calibration processes; data collection; post-processing pipelines; and result interpretation and presentation.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level proficiency in the operation and sports-specific interpretation of resolved IMU data with the capacity to implement fusion algorithms in multi-IMU systems to derive relative relevant data analytics in sports-specific scenarios.

Section 2

2D and 3D video digitising proficiency

Proficiency in effective use of 2D and 3D manual video digitising to derive critical performance variables in field settings.

• Base level – practitioner has a solid understanding of 2D and Pseudo-3D video-based motion capture principles; proficient anatomical landmark identification; appropriate video camera settings; and best practice processes and procedures.
• Intermediary level – practitioner has performed over 500hrs of manual digitising and has performed consistency/reliability analysis of their digitising output.
• Advanced level – practitioner has performed over 1000hrs of manual digitising and has the capacity to setup bespoke manual digitising frameworks to provide higher level outputs (eg. Individual segment rotational parameters/subject-specific body segment inertial parameters).

Section 2

Coding proficiency

Proficiency in comprehension and best practice formulation of code for biomechanical applications in common biomechanics programming languages.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with the operation of database operation and running bespoke script. They are able to perform basic editing and troubleshooting with instruction.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is able to effectively develop and compile code in common biomechanical languages (eg. Python, bodybuilder, R, C++ etc.); edit existing scripts; and develop databasing solutions.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level proficiency in the development of bespoke executable code in multiple common biomechanical languages to develop their own data collection; post-processing and/or data visualisation pipelines.

Section 3 - Specialist biomechanics areas

The specialist biomechanics area themes outline the recognised primary specialist applications that can be associated with the role of a Sport Biomechanist within the Australian HP sports system. These also include emerging technologies / skillsets that are highlighted as potential domains for rapid knowledge growth in the foreseeable future for Biomechanists in the Australian HP sport system.

Section 3

Domain equipment wet-up and instrumentation

Proficiency in domain knowledge on equipment set-up from a performance optimisation perspective for a given sport (eg. Rowing; cycling) or skill (eg. swimming or athletics starts). Included in this section is the use of instrumentation of associated equipment or analysis processes (eg. IMUs, Video or MoCap analysis) to inform the optimisation process.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with basic sport domain equipment set-up best practice to enable a level of individual athlete-specific set-up (for a given sport/skill).
• Intermediary level – practitioner is proficient in using equipment-specific instrumentation (bespoke or commercial) or analysis processes to help inform or reinforce athlete-specific optimal equipment set-up.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level proficiency in use of equipment instrumentation or analysis processes to model and optimise equipment set-up for an individual athlete or optimising group athlete inter-dynamics (eg. crew rowing).

Section 3

Aero/hydrodynamics

Specialist knowledge in the area of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics as related to optimising an athlete’s movement patterns or performance.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with basic aero/hydrodynamic principles and perform basic sport-specific calculation of drag from pre-existing analysis procedures.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is proficient in understanding advanced aero/hydrodynamic principles (eg. steady-state versus unsteady-state forces) and can display proficiency in relating athlete technique to these advanced principles or perform basic manipulations of drag/propulsion formulae.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level aero/hydrodynamic knowledge and proficiency in calculating and modifying key factors to optimise drag or propulsion in sport-specific scenarios.

Section 3

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)/wind tunnel testing

Best practice knowledge for the principles associated with the development, use and interpretation of sports-specific computational fluid dynamic models and/or the use and results interpretation of empirical drag testing in wind tunnels to optimise sporting performance.

• Base level – practitioner have solid understanding of basic theory associated with the appropriate application of CFD models or wind tunnel testing; relating to aero-hydrodynamics first principles.  Knowledge of required inputs/outputs of the CFD models and empirical wind tunnel testing and limitations of analysis approaches required.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is capable of conducting analysis using existing CFD models in either commercial or open-source CFD programs (eg. Fluent; OpenFOAM) and/or the capacity to conduct steady-state drag analysis in wind tunnels with a proficiency to interpret results and understand limitations to assist with optimisation of athlete performance relating to drag/propulsion considerations.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level expertise in sports-specific CFD model development and/or conducting empirical wind tunnel testing to allow for high-level sports-specific knowledge generation and optimisation of the sporting performance as related to aero/hydrodynamic parameters.

Section 3

Machine learning/computer vision

Best practice knowledge for the principles associated with the development of machine learning (video or biomechanical data) models and sports-specific applications of computer vision. Understanding the theoretical concepts and appropriate application of different types of machine learning models (supervision levels) and considerations for each components of machine learning (Representation, Evaluation and Optimisation).  Appropriate and competent knowledge of computer vision theory needed for integration into development of bespoke video machine learning models.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with basic theory associated with the appropriate application and limitations associated with machine learning including data integration, selection, pre-processing; model selection; training/testing phases of model development; and data interpretation. Able to conduct executable machine learning models (eg. open-source pose estimation models)
• Intermediary level – practitioner is capable of incorporating machine learning scripts and appropriate algorithms in relevant programming language (eg. Python) to develop machine learning routines. Competent in basics operation of appropriate commercial or open source machine learning programs (such as DeepLabCut).
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level expertise in utilising and developing machine learning models using best practice principles to allow for bespoke applications (such as development of sports/skill-specific video machine learning pose estimation models for sports biomechanics testing applications).

Section 3

Advanced signal conditioning/data analysis

Best practice knowledge for the principles associated with signal conditioning (hardware or software) associated with collecting biomechanical data and advanced data analysis methods for complex data series.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with basic theory associated with hardware/software options for signal conditioning or data analysis options based on the data type and analysis required (exploratory or statistical). Basic understanding of the appropriate selection and processes for using signal conditioning and data analysis applications; including appropriate results interpretation and limitations.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is competent in operation and result interpretation of higher-level signal conditioning and data analysis applications to deal with complex noise artifact or analysis of data series using existing applications.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level expertise and proficiency in designing signal conditioning toolkits and in utilising advanced data analysis programs (eg. Principle Component Analysis) to highlight critical components of interest in biomechanical testing.

Section 3

Gait analysis

Specialist knowledge in the area of clinical biomechanics and the assessment of how the internal and external forces associated with movement interrelate in optimal performance in typical and atypical (eg. Para amputee/prosthetics) gait patterns.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with typical gait patterns and functional anatomy related to walking/running and are able to perform basic 2D video-based analysis highlighting key surrogate measures.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is proficient in assessment of gait variation using motion capture analysis (or other modality eg. IMUs) to help inform clinical practitioners on potential causative mechanical factors that can influence chronic injury or provide guidance on an athlete’s rehabilitation program.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level expertise in determining critical variables of interest in gait analysis for both typical and atypical athlete populations.

Section 3

Musculo-skeletal mechanics

Specialist knowledge and understanding of the development of musculo-skeletal models using proprietary or open-source (eg. OpenSim) muculo-skeletal modelling programs to estimate internal forces and effects.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with basic features associated with a musculo-skeletal modelling program; required inputs; model outputs; and relevance to biomechanical testing scenarios.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is capable of incorporating musculo-skeletal modelling into motion capture and forceplate testing pipelines using existing commercial or open-source musculo-skeletal modelling packages to estimate internal forces.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level expertise in utilising and modifying musculo-skeletal programs to allow for bespoke applications.

Section 4 - Research

The research area themes cover the areas of proficiencies necessary for demonstrating competency associated with conducting sport biomechanics-related research.

Section 4

Research processes

Demonstrated proficiency in all components of research design and implementation from problem identification through to intrepretation and dissemination of results.

Key capability components would include:

• Identification of athlete/sport performance knowledge gap
• Defining the research problem and scope
• Inclusion of associated findings from prior research and theoretical perspectives
• Development of appropriate research design methodology
• Identification of appropriate data analysis and statistical framework
• Project planning and funding identification
• Base Level – Practitioner has completed research project at Honours/Masters/Doctorate Level and published in scientific and/or coaching mediums.
• Intermediary Level – Practitioner has completed PhD by research and supervised/is supervising other post-graduate level students. Will have published in scientific journals/recognised conference proceedings and presented research findings to a variety of stakeholders (eg. coaches/biomechanics community).
• Advanced Level – Practitioner has recognised high level expertise in leading substantial biomechanics or multi-disciplinary research projects involving multiple stakeholders (NIN/NSO/Uni) and has experience acting as a project lead developing research project plans and sourcing funding from grant opportunities.

Section 4

Advanced statistical methods/data analysis

Best practice knowledge for the principles associated with advanced statistical or data analysis methods for complex data series.

• Base level – practitioner is familiar with basic theory associated with the appropriate selection of statistical or data analysis options based on the data type and analysis required (exploratory or statistical). Basic understanding of the appropriate selection and processes for using analysis applications (eg. basic statistics including regressions; comparative analysis etc.); including appropriate results interpretation and limitations.
• Intermediary level – practitioner is competent in operation and result interpretation of higher level statistical and data analysis applications to deal with complex data series (eg. Statistical Parametric Mapping) using existing applications.
• Advanced level – practitioner has recognised high-level expertise in utilising advanced statistical or data analysis programs (eg. Principle Component Analysis) to highlight critical components of interest from biomechanical testing.