Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Human Movement & Nutrition Sci
This course will introduce biomechanical principles and how they relate to the analysis of human movement to help understand human performance, potential mechanisms of injury and understanding how to prevent injuries and how the body interacts with the environment or equipment. The course will cover the interaction of the human body with the physical world by combining principles from biology and physics - kinematics, kinetics, energetics and muscle function. It will provide students with skills for quantitative and qualitative analysis of human movement, which can be applied in the context of health, exercise, sport and activities of daily living in a variety of populations.
Biomechanics covers the application of the principles of mechanics to the study of biological systems. The course will cover the interaction of the human body with the physical world by combining principles from biology and physics.
Course requirements
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOL1900, BIOM1050
Recommended companion or co-requisite courses
We recommend completing the following courses at the same time:
ANAT1005, PHYL1007
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
BIOL2630, HMST2630
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Andrew Cresswell
Practical facilitator
Mr Max Andrews
Mr Callum Davies
Miss Jodie Tully
Mr Alec McKenzie
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Practicals are an integral part of the learning experience in this course and require in-person attendance and active participation to complete associated practical tasks.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the course is to provide students withﾠthe skills to be able to describe, measure, analyse and evaluate the mechanical principles underlying human movement for understanding human performance, preventing injury or improving humanﾠhealth.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe biomechanical principles and how they relate specifically to the analysis of human movement
LO2.
Perform biomechanical calculations to quantify human movement performance
LO3.
Conduct a biomechanical analysis of human movement using a variety of instruments
LO4.
Analyse, interpret and communicate biomechanical data for both performance enhancement and injury prevention in health and disease.
LO5.
Work effectively within a team in order to develop appropriate biomechanical analysis and communication skills, and facilitate peer-assisted, collaborative learning.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical Tasks
|
12% (6 x practical tasks @ 2% each) |
(Online) Week 1 28/07/2025 - 1/08/2025 (In-person) Week 3 11/08/2025 - 15/08/2025 (In-person) Week 5 25/08/2025 - 29/08/2025 (In-person) Week 6 1/09/2025 - 5/09/2025 (In-person) Week 8 15/09/2025 - 19/09/2025 (In-person) Week 9 22/09/2025 - 26/09/2025
Completed during timetabled practical. |
| Examination |
In-Semester Exam
|
35% |
In-semester Saturday 6/09/2025 - 20/09/2025 |
| Project |
Video Analysis Assignment
|
18% |
24/10/2025 5:00 pm |
| Examination |
End-of-semester examination
|
35% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Practical Tasks
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 12% (6 x practical tasks @ 2% each)
- Due date
(Online) Week 1 28/07/2025 - 1/08/2025
(In-person) Week 3 11/08/2025 - 15/08/2025
(In-person) Week 5 25/08/2025 - 29/08/2025
(In-person) Week 6 1/09/2025 - 5/09/2025
(In-person) Week 8 15/09/2025 - 19/09/2025
(In-person) Week 9 22/09/2025 - 26/09/2025
Completed during timetabled practical.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
There are 6 practical sessions. The first practical is conducted online and must be completed in Week 1, prior to the first lecture. The following 5 practicals require in-person attendance and active participation to complete the associated practical task.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
There are a total of six (6) compulsory practicals. Missing two (2) or more practicals without an approved absence will result in students being unable to achieve a grade higher than a grade of 4 (pass) for the course.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please refer to 'Additional Assessment Information' for instructions on what to do if you are absent from a practical.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
In-Semester Exam
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
6/09/2025 - 20/09/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This exam covers all content (lectures and laboratories from Weeks 1-5)
There will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, calculation questions and various matching type questions and each student will get a random set of questions.
To ensure you are well prepared for the exam, we suggest you complete the tutorial questions available in blackboard, as well as read and relevant sections from the recommended text. Revise what was also covered in the practical.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | Unmarked language dictionary |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Video Analysis Assignment
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
24/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assignment will require you to demonstrate how your biomechanical knowledge and skills can be used to analyse, interpret and communicate biomechanical data for the purposes of performance enhancement, injury prevention or training in health and disease.
Group component
Your group needs to select one of the movement scenarios provided (see the 'Scenarios' in Blackboard). Each scenario has a number of videos relevant to the scenario that can be analysed. The group will be required to define the main aim of the analysis and define the quantitative or qualitative variables or principles that you will analyse in any number of the provided videos. The group will then perform a quantitative and/or qualitative analysis based on the video/s and present any key findings.
You will have to submit a group report outlining the following -
- Clearly define the aim of your analysis, including a breakdown of any key biomechanical principles that will contribute to your analysis.
- Analyse the motion using appropriate anatomical and biomechanical principles using measurement tools within a video analysis software package, to provide a biomechanical description of the motion.
- Present the analysis within a document describing the aims, breakdown of movement and analysis/calculations and any appropriate graphical representation of the analysis.
A basic template for the report will be provided for this submission.
Analysis component (600 word maximum)
The analysis component is divided into two main sections:
- Interpretation of data and recommendations: You will need to interpret the data that you have collected and analysed with your group and provide key outcomes of the analysis with respect to the aims outlined. You should interpret this data with respect to biomechanical theory or any relevant research literature (appropriately cited) and provide recommendations or potential intervention strategies based on the scenario requirements or highlight key limitations in the approach and/or future directions for investigation.
- Reflection on practice: Provide a brief reflection of how the group see the skills you have learnt in this assignment, or in the course more generally, for conducting a movement analysis might be able to add to the needs of a client, colleague or student.
Your group assignment will be graded based on both the group component and analysis components. There will also be peer assessment of your contribution to the group, which will be decided by the other members of your group. Please ensure you include a grade (0-3) for each of the individual group members contribution based on the criteria Group Work Contribution criteria, which can be found below.
e.g. Group Work Contribution: Jill Bliggs = 3, Joe Bloggs = 3, Issac Newton = 2.
You may wish to include some justification for the scores you leave, particularly if you give a very low score to an individual student. DO NOT PROVIDE A GRADE FOR YOURSELF.
Resources:
The software package for the video analysis is called Kinovea (www.kinovea.org) and is a freely available software package for Windows. This is also available at all library computers. You will need to ensure that at least one person in your group has access to a Windows machine to conduct the analysis, or that students in your group have physical access to the UQ library.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Your report must be submitted via Blackboard by only one of your group members. Please ensure all group members are identified on the first page.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extensions for group work assessment may be available and will require a single request submitted with agreement from at least 50% of the members of the group, and recognition of potential impacts on the other group members. Download and complete the form below, and attach this form to your extension request: Extension of Group Assessment - Group Member Acknowledgement (PDF, 144.9 KB)
Student Access Plans for an individual student do not guarantee an extension for the assessment item. Extension Verification Letters cannot be used for group-based assessments and activities.
Dysfunctional group dynamics, poor performance by individual group members, or illness or other issues of a group member are generally not considered sufficient grounds for an extension on submission of a group assessment item. These issues should be actively managed by the group and the Course Coordinator as appropriate, during semester.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
End-of-semester examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This exam covers all content (lectures and laboratories from Weeks 7-12)
There will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, calculation questions and various matching type questions and each student will get a random set of questions.
To ensure you are well prepared for the exam, we suggest you complete the tutorial questions available in blackboard, as well as read and relevant sections from the recommended text. Revise what was also covered in the practical.
Use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course. This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course. If you fail to attend 2 or more compulsory contacts and your grade exceeds 64%, you will also receive this grade. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: This grade is assigned through both formative and summative assessment tasks throughout the course |
Additional course grading information
If you missed two (2) or more practicals without an approved absence and your grade exceeds 64%, you will be limited to a grade of 4 (pass) for the course.
A final percentage mark will be rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g. 64.50 and above will be rounded to 65 and 64.49 and below will be rounded down to 64.)ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
WHAT TO DO IF:
I’ve missed a compulsory practical ?
There are a total of six (6) compulsory practicals. Missing two (2) or more practicals without an approved absence will result in students being unable to achieve a grade higher than a grade of 4 (pass) for the course.
Please follow the process for absences (below) as soon as you possibly know that you will be absent from a practical. The earlier we are made aware, the easier it is to make alternative arrangements.
If you are unable to attend for medical or extenuating circumstances, you are required to complete an absentee form and email the form as soon as possible to the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences Student Administration Team (hmns@enquire.uq.edu.au) and no later than two (2) calendar days after the date of the original class was held.
With approval, you will be permitted to attend a make-up session in week 10 or 11 (to be decided).
Failure to attend a make-up session or non-approved absences will result in a mark of zero (0) for the associated practical task.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Any ideas, difficulties or concerns can and should be discussed in the Blackboard discussion forum and during practicals with your facilitator. Lecturers and facilitators will moderate the Blackboard discussion threads to facilitate learning.
Learning materials will be posted at regular intervals on the course Blackboard site so students should regularly check the site for new and updated information
Lecture slides will be made available prior to the lectures on Blackboard - HOWEVER, students are encouraged to write their own "complete" lecture notes during each lecture.
The lectures will be recorded at the time of presentation and will therefore be available for review purposes. Please note that recordings are NOT guaranteed. Recording faults can result in poor quality recordings and demonstrations and discussion within lectures are often not captured by the hardware and software.
Frequent reference will be made to the recommended sections of the course text - McGinnis, Biomechanics of Sports and Exercise, a Human Kinetics publication that is available as a hardcopy or online resource. This is an excellent resource and covers the majority of material covered in an easy to read format, with associated practice problems and answers. It is well worthwhile purchasing a new or used copy.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Practical |
Introduction online laboratory Course introduction and information. View introductory videos and contribute to introductory tasks Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Introduction to Biomechanics Intro to BIOL1630. What is biomechanics? Ways to describe, measure and understand human motion (statics, dynamics). Units of measure. Problem solving Scientific notation. Measurement errors, significant figures, scalars and vectors Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Linear Motion Vector addition and resolving of vectors. Pythagorean theorem, trigonometry, sine and cosine. Motion, linear kinematics, position, velocity and acceleration Learning outcomes: L01 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Practical |
Kinematics laboratory Kinematics Lab. Measuring split times while running or walking over a track instrumented with timing lights. Determine average and instantaneous velocities from collected data. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Uniform motion Spatio-temporal measures in locomotion/gait. Uniform accelerated motion - projectile motion. Covering the three equations used to determine flight time, height, range and velocity of an object experiencing uniform acceleration Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Kinetics Kinetics - forces. Here we will define Newton's three laws and how they relate to motion. Kinetics - forces. Here we will be defining and working with equations determining Force, Impulse and Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Practical |
Vertical jump laboratory Measure ground reaction forces and impulse during jumping to determine jump performance with different techniques Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Work, Power and Energy We will look at elastic and inelastic collisions (i.e. the coefficient of restitution). Negative and positive mechanical work will be defined. Power will be defined and calculated. We will also investigate Potential and Kinetic Energy and how these quantities are often used in biomechanics Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Practical |
Power lift laboratory Measure arm muscle power during an upright row lift and determine the effect of load. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Revision for exam Revision of material from weeks 1-5 for Mid-semester exam Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Rotational motion The concepts of torques and moment arms will be continued. Examples of torque calculations in sports and rehabilitation and ergonomics settings. Angular Kinematics. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Practical |
Sit-up laboratory Measure how sit-up techniques influences lever arm, muscle force, joint reaction force and effort . Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Angular Kinematics Continuation of angular kinematics... Radial and tangential acceleration, angular motion vectors, radians versus degrees etc... Angular Kinetics. Concepts covered are moment of inertia, mass distribution, radius of gyration. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Practical |
Angular Kinetics laboratory Kinovea task to analyse relationship between angular and linear velocity. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Angular Kinetics Angular kinetics continued. Concepts are angular momentum, conservation and transfer of angular momentum, angular impulse and angular momentum, Newton's first and third laws applied to angular. Continuation of angular kinetics, transfer of angular momentum, angular impulse and angular momentum, relationship, centripetal force. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Motion in fluids Fluid Mechanics - relative flow, buoyancy, laminar and turbulent flow. Lift, Drag and Spin - the Magnus Effect Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Biological properties The structure of muscle, muscle actions,length tension and force velocity/ Muscle active and passive tension. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Lecture |
Motor unit properties Motor unit recruitment and firing frequency, electromyography. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Stress-strain and elastic behaviour Understanding the stress-strain relationship and its relevance to stiffness-compliance and biological materials Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Team Based Learning |
Group Assignment/Project Submission of group video analysis project (Friday 5pm) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: