Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
Sport and Exercise Sciences
Learning Methods
Lecture
Practical
Module Offerings
7114SPOSCI-JAN-CTY
Aims
This module aims to introduce the main biomechanical characteristics of human muscles and tendons and the implications for human movement, performance and biomechanical testing. The mechanical parameters and behaviour of these tissues of the human body in-vivo will also be examined in response to chronic loading and disuse in order to understand basic musculoskeletal mechanisms and adaptations underpinning changes in whole-body function and performance.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Critically appraise current literature on muscle-tendon mechanics and adaptations
2.
Analyse, evaluate and adapt methods used for the study of musculoskeletal system function in practice, research and development.
3.
Apply current strategies and methods for improving performance in sports and rehabilitation applications.
4.
Research, evaluate and summarise information related to muscle-tendon structure and function.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:The module content includes:
1. Muscle:
Muscle contraction and force generation
Muscle sarcomere and muscle fibre architecture
Human muscle architecture: Implication for function and methods of study
Force-length and force-velocity properties of muscle
Adaptations of muscle structure and function to chronic use and disuse
Muscle strength: theoretical and measurement considerations
2. Advanced EMG measurements
Assessment of agonist and antagonist muscle activation
3. Tendon
Moment arms and lever systems in the human musculoskeletal system
Tendon structure and Material properties
Human tendon mechanical properties in-vivo
Adaptation of human tendons to chronic use and disuse
Module Overview:
This module introduces the main biomechanical characteristics of human muscles and tendons and the implications for human movement, performance and biomechanical testing. The mechanical parameters and behaviour of these tissues of the human body in-vivo will also be examined in response to chronic loading and disuse to understand basic, musculoskeletal mechanisms and adaptations underpinning changes in whole-body function and performance.
This module introduces the main biomechanical characteristics of human muscles and tendons and the implications for human movement, performance and biomechanical testing. The mechanical parameters and behaviour of these tissues of the human body in-vivo will also be examined in response to chronic loading and disuse to understand basic, musculoskeletal mechanisms and adaptations underpinning changes in whole-body function and performance.
Additional Information:Cutting edge equipment in our Biomechanics labs will be used for obtaining the skills to study the mechanical behaviour of the human muscle-tendon in-vivo.
This includes:
- Ultrasound scanners for visualizing human muscles and tendons in-vivo
- Electromyography for recording muscle activity
- Isokinetic dynamometry for quantifying muscle force
- Electric and magnetic stimulators for evoking muscle contraction bypassing volitional control
- A fully equipped gait lab and a unique instrumented staircase for the study of the musculoskeletal system and the behaviour of muscles and tendons in daily locomotor tasks.