Biomechanics can help improve athletic performance

Exercise is one of the ways to improve your physical wellbeing and it aids in great measure to get rid of ailments, aches and pains. Follow the exercise programme provided by the biokineticists at Anine van der Westhuizen Biokineticist in George and feel the difference. This week biokineticist Megan van Huyssteen chats about biomechanics.

The body is a kinetic chain - when one part is weak, other parts have to work much harder to keep the body going. This is why biomechanics are so important. Biomechanics is the science concerned with the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects produced by these forces. More specifically, biomechanics is the study of human movement and describes the forces which cause this movement. In a nutshell, biomechanics can help you get faster and stronger while reducing injuries.

What is the role of biomechanics?

Biomechanics can play a crucial role in both injury prevention and performance enhancement. Athletes of all ages and skill levels should therefore understand the importance of education to develop proper mechanics.

Education can come in multiple forms, but with the emphasis on visual learning in today's society, visual feedback is one of the most effective ways to modify an athlete's technique and allow them to perform at the most efficient level possible.

An athlete's ability to perform efficiently and injury free are key in performance outcome and can be improved with biomechanical analysis.

How to get the most out of your biomechanics sessions

During a biomechanics session, we test movements in a low load (basic movements) and high load (more advanced movement). This allows us to establish the weak parts of a patient’s kinetic chain.

We then break down a video of the patient's movement during jumping and running, and make recommendations on how to improve performance.

This cycle is important in achieving good results as it will allow the patient to not only see, but also feel how the correct movement pattern should be performed.

Essentially it focuses on analysing the mechanics of human movement, examining and explaining why and how the human body moves like it does.

More benefits of proper biomechanics:

Increased movement speed;

More power;

Energy conservation through economy of movement;

Helps eliminate muscle imbalances; Reduces wear and tear on joints and ligaments;

Improves sport-specific form and technique.

In a nutshell, biomechanics can help you get faster and stronger while reducing injuries.

Athletes of all ages and skill levels can benefit from biomechanical analysis whether it's for pain reduction or to increase top level performance.