Principle of conservation of momentum
To explain this principle, we analyze a somersault with stretched and crouched posture. The axis around which the gymnast performs a somersault is called the body width axis. With stretched posture there is a lot of body mass away from this axis of rotation.
This slows down the rotational movement (angular velocity) and the somersault is difficult to perform. If now body parts are brought to the axis of rotation by squatting, the angular velocity increases and the execution of the somersault is simplified. The same principle also applies to pirouettes in figure skating.
The axis of rotation in this case is the longitudinal axis of the body. By bringing the arms and legs closer to this axis of rotation, the rotational speed increases. In high jumping, the individual movement sequences can be brought into harmony with the biomechanical principles.
The principle of the optimal acceleration path is reflected in the approach, which must be curved forward to hit an optimal jump-off point. The principle of temporal coordination of individual impulses also plays an important role in this process. The stamping step is immensely important and determines the flight path after the jump.
The principles of impulse transmission and initial force play an important role here. They ensure that the athlete brings the optimum force to the ground during the jump and takes the momentum from the start. When crossing the bar, a rotation takes place which is due to the principle of counteraction and rotational recoil.
When jumping off, the body is turned sideways over the crossbar and then caught on the back. Similar topics:
- Explosive force
- Maximum force
In gymnastics and gymnastic exercises several biomechanical principles are also applied. Of particular importance are rotational movements and swings.
These follow the principles of the optimal acceleration path. Various jumps are also frequently performed movements in gymnastics. Here we find the principle of the maximum initial force as well as the principle of the optimal acceleration path.
Finally, the individual partial movements have to be combined into a fluid sequence, which corresponds to the principle of coordinating partial impulses. These principles can also be applied to the serve of badminton. The backswing movement follows the principle of the optimal acceleration path and the principle of initial force.
The principle of impulse preservation is important so that the swing can also be transferred to the ball. The principle of temporal coordination of individual impulses also helps here. When the stroke is completed, the movement is intercepted by means of the principle of counteraction and rotational recoil.
The tennis serve is very similar to the badminton serve. Many of the biomechanical principles are intertwined to ensure the best possible execution of the movement. In tennis it is especially important to pay attention to optimal movement sequences, since mistakes due to the speed of the game can cost a lot of energy.
Therefore these principles are very important in training and can decide on victory or defeat in competition. In sprinting it is mainly about the principles of initial strength, the optimal acceleration path, the temporal coordination of individual impulses and the principle of impulse preservation. The principle of counteraction and rotational recoil is hardly used here.
The start must be powerful and targeted. The movement sequence of the legs must be kept in an optimal frequency and step length, if possible up to the target. This example illustrates very well how important the biomechanical principles can be for movements.
In swimming, the biomechanical principles are to be applied slightly differently for the different swimming styles. The example of breaststroke is presented here, as it is the most common swimming style. The principle of temporal coordination of single impulses corresponds to the cyclical movement of arms and legs with simultaneous breathing (head above and under water).
The principle of impulse transmission is reflected in the fact that good swimmers take the momentum from the individual strokes (crossbow stroke and leg chest stroke) optimally and use the propulsion for the next stroke. The long jump is similar to the high jump. What is different is the type of approach.
It is not curved as in the high jump, but linear to the pit. The principle of the optimal acceleration path plays a major role here. In addition, the principle of impulse transmission is applied as well as the principle of initial force, without which the start would not be possible in the first place.
Arrived at the end of the start the jumper performs a stem step and uses the principle of counteraction and impulse transfer and pushes himself into the trajectory towards the pit. In flight the jumper throws his legs and arms forward and uses the principle of impulse transfer to fly even further. Various biomechanical principles play a role in shot put.
In order to achieve a large distance during the shot put, it is crucial to transfer as much force as possible to the ball in order to achieve a high throwing speed. We call this the principle of maximum initial force. In addition, a higher repulsion speed is also achieved by swinging and the resulting increase in the acceleration distance.
This is the principle of the optimal acceleration path. Finally, it is important to ensure that the partial phases of the movement are optimally coordinated during shot put, for example, an unclean transition has a negative effect on the distance of the shot. We know this as the principle of coordination of partial impulses.
Volleyball is a dynamic sport with a wide variety of elements, including shot, jump and running elements. In principle, all biomechanical principles can be found in volleyball. For example, the principle of initial force and optimal acceleration path can be found in the serve.
The principle of coordination of partial impulses defines, for example, the clean jump and clean stroke in a butterball. The principle of counteraction is used to explain the smash stroke, the impact of the ball results in the rebound from the hands. The principle of impulse transmission is applied to the passing game.
The biomechanical principles are also of great importance in hurdles. For example, the principle of maximum initial force describes the kick before the hurdle, which maximises the height of the jump. In order to optimize the start of a hurdler, the principle of the optimal acceleration path comes into play, whereby the shift of weight and the force applied during the impression from the block play a major role.
The partial movements during hurdling must be optimally coordinated to guarantee success. This follows the principle of optimal coordination of partial movements. The principle of counteraction comes into play as soon as the runner lands on the leg again after the jump and balance is maintained by stretching the upper body.
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