Glossary
Biomechanics terms, clearly explained.
A comprehensive resource for understanding key terms in biomechanics, movement analysis, and video analysis.
Core Biomechanics
Range of Motion (ROM)
The measurement of movement around a specific joint or body part.
Joint Angle
The angle formed between two adjacent body segments at a joint.
Angular Velocity
The rate of change of angular position of a rotating body.
Linear Velocity
The rate of change of position of a body in a straight line.
Kinematics
The study of motion without considering the forces that cause it.
Kinetics
The study of forces that cause or result from motion.
Center of Mass
The point representing the mean position of matter in a body or system.
Ground Reaction Force
The force exerted by the ground on a body in contact with it.
Flexion/Extension
Movements that decrease or increase the angle between body parts.
Abduction/Adduction
Movements away from or toward the midline of the body.
Pronation/Supination
Rotational movements of the forearm or foot.
Planes of Motion
The three imaginary planes that divide the body for describing movement.
Gait & Movement Analysis
Gait Cycle
The complete sequence of events from initial contact of one foot to the next contact of the same foot.
Stride Length
The distance covered during one complete gait cycle, measured from initial contact to the next initial contact of the same foot.
Cadence
The number of steps taken per unit of time, typically expressed as steps per minute.
Stance Phase
The portion of the gait cycle when the foot is in contact with the ground.
Swing Phase
The portion of the gait cycle when the foot is off the ground and swinging forward.
Foot Strike Pattern
The part of the foot that makes initial contact with the ground during the gait cycle.
Video Analysis Specific
Frame Rate (FPS)
The number of individual frames or images captured per second in a video recording.
Slow Motion Analysis
The technique of viewing movement at reduced playback speed to observe details not visible at normal speed.
Motion Tracking
The process of automatically or manually following and recording the position of specific points on the body throughout a movement sequence.
Digitization
The process of converting analog video or identifying points in digital video for quantitative analysis.
Calibration
The process of establishing a reference scale to convert pixel measurements to real-world units.
2D Analysis
Video analysis using a single camera view to measure movement in a two-dimensional plane.
Overlay Comparison
The technique of displaying multiple video clips simultaneously or overlaid on each other for direct visual comparison.
Annotation
The process of adding visual markers, lines, angles, or text to video to highlight specific features or measurements.
Performance Terms
Form Analysis
The systematic evaluation of technique and movement patterns to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.
Movement Pattern
A characteristic sequence and coordination of body segment movements that accomplish a specific task.
Biomechanical Efficiency
The relationship between energy expended and useful work produced during movement.
Postural Analysis
The assessment of static body alignment and positioning to identify deviations from optimal posture.
Technique Breakdown
The process of deconstructing a complex movement into its component phases and elements for detailed analysis.