The Biomechanical Model for Minimum Movement Time during Running Walking and Road Cycling 05: The Linear Speed - Angular Velocity Principle

The fourth fundamental Biomechanical principle included in this model is the Linear Speed - Angular Velocity Principle. This principle explains how we create joint linear speed. This principle states that an increase in joint linear speed (s) (i.e., the straight line speed) of a point on a rotating body segment is caused by an increase in the body segment’s angular velocity (ω) (i.e., the rotational speed of the body segment) and/or an increase the radius of rotation (r_rot) (i.e., the linear distance from the axis of rotation to the point of interest on the rotating body segment). For most human movement, the radius of rotation is the distance from one joint to the next joint connected by a body segment (e.g., the radius of rotation for the upper leg segment would be the distance from the knee joint to the hip joint).

Click on "read more" to view my description of the application of the Linear Speed - Angular Velocity Principle to real-world running.

I'm back!!

I finished Fall Semester and I began working on my book.  I just finished the first draft.  My teaching experiences during Fall Semester and the writing of the book led to some updates for my Biomechanical Models.  Click on the links below to see the updated Biomechanical Model for Running, Walking & Road Cycling.  In my next post, I will continue the explanation of the Biomechanical Principles used to construct this model.

Biomechanical Model for Running and Walking

Top of the Model

Speed Up Side

Slow Down Side

Posting Update

I have been extremely busy with end of the semester assignments, labs, grading, and preparing for exams.  I plan to post new material immediately after I submit my semester grades.  Please keep visiting my blog and the new material should start being posted around December 20th.

The Biomechanical Model for Minimum Movement Time during Running and Walking 04 - The Sum of Joint Linear Speeds Principle

The third fundamental Biomechanical Principle included in Biomechanical Model for Minimum Movement Time during Running and Walking is the Sum of Joint Linear Speeds Principle.  This principle states that the linear speed of any point on the human body is the summation of linear speeds at that point caused by individual joint angular velocities.  In general terms, any joint angular velocity will cause all points on a rotating body segment connected at the joint, and all points on any body segment attached to that rotating body segment, to move with linear speed.  A second or a third joint's angular velocity will do the same.     The linear speed of any common body segment will then be sum (addition) of the linear speeds of segment caused by each individual joint's angular velocity.

Click on "read more" to view my description of the Real-World Application of the Sum of Joint Linear Speeds principle to the Running and Walking Biomechanical Model for Minimum Movement Time.

The Biomechanical Model for Minimum Movement Time during Running and Walking 03 - The Linear Conservation of Momentum Principle

The Linear Conservation of Momentum Principle is the second fundamental Biomechanical principle included in the Biomechanical Model for Running and Walking to achieve minimum movement time.  This principle is derived from Newton’s First Law of Motion (Linear).  This principle states that to maintain a constant state of motion, any factors that would slow the body down must be balanced by factors that speed the body up.  If the factors that slow the body down exceed the factors that speed the body up, the body slows down (i.e., the state of motion changes).  If the factors that slow the body down are less than the factors that speed the body up, the body speeds up (i.e., the state of motion changes).

Click on "read more" to see a graphical representation the Linear Conservation of Momentum Principle.