KIN 376

Biomechanics of Sport and Physical Activity

Syllabus: Spring 2011
General Information
Instructor:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office:
Office Hours:
Class Times:

Christopher K. Rhea, PhD

334-3023
ckrhea@uncg.edu
HHP 237A
by appointment
Tuesday/Thursday 9:30-10:45 a.m.

For whom planned:

This course is planned for undergraduate students of the KIN department.
Prerequisites
BIO 271 or permission of instructor
Course Description
Anatomical and mechanical bases of physical activity with emphasis on the analysis of sport, exercise, and rehabilitation.
Objectives
The purpose of KIN 376 is to introduce kinesiology students to concepts of mechanics as they apply to human movement, particularly
those pertaining to exercise, sport and rehabilitation. The student should gain an understanding of the mechanical and anatomical
principles that govern human motion and develop the ability to link the structure of the human body with its function from a
mechanical perspective. At the completion of this course it is desired that each student be able to: 1) describe motion with precise,
well-defined mechanical and anatomical terminology; 2) understand basic muscle properties; 3) apply linear and angular kinetic and
kinematic principles to human motion, 4) understand the implications for studying the amount and structure of movement variability
in biomechanical and rehabilitation research and 5) describe several neural mechanisms that control human movement.
Teaching Strategies
This course primarily utilizes a lecture format.
Textbook, Lecture Notes and Other Materials
Textbook: Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise McGinnis 2nd ed. **ONLY USED AS SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**
Lecture notes: All lecture notes will be posted on Blackboard. However, these PowerPoint slides only contain bulleted information
and will require additional notes from the class lecture.
Other required material: You will also need a scientific calculator for this course.
Attendance
While attendance is not formally part of the course grading system, you are expected to attend all lecture sessions and to arrive in class
at or before the designated starting time.

Evaluation
You will be given two exams and a cumulative final exam. Several unannounced in-class quizzes will be given throughout the
semester. Only your top four quizzes will count toward your final grade. You will also be assigned two response papers and an applied
writing assignment (see descriptions below). The weighting of each evaluation is listed below:
Exam 1 (Tuesday, February 8th)
Exam 2 (Thursday, March 31st)
Quizzes
Response papers (2)
Applied Writing Assignment (Due Wednesday, April 20th)
Cumulative Final Exam (Tuesday, May 3rd, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
Percentage Earned
90-100%
80-89.99%
70-79.99%
60-69.99%
< 60%

20%
20%
10%
10%
20%
20%
Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F

I do not curve the grades that are earned during exams, quizzes, response papers or the applied writing assignment. Under no
circumstance will any form of extra credit be allowed.
Response Papers
Two journal articles will be posted throughout the semester on Blackboard. Announcements will be made when a reading has been
posted. You must synthesize the material and write a 500-750 word response paper critiquing the papers rationale, methodology
and/or interpretation of the findings. The information from the reading may be used for in-class quizzes and/or exams.
Applied Writing Assignment
You are to choose any class topic that interests you and apply it to any form of human motion you choose. Topics in the past have
included a kinematic analysis of the golf swing, an analysis of the coordination of muscular contractions pre- and post-ACL surgery,
and an angular momentum analysis of fly fishing. Blooms taxonomy (revised version) will be used to determine your level of
competency on your chosen topic. Specific information regarding this assignment and how you will be graded will be posted on
Blackboard. The paper must be 3+ pages (SINGLE SPACED!). See the posting for formatting specifics.
Late Work
A 5% deduction will be made for each 24 hours (beginning at the start of the class period on the due date) that an assignment is turned
in late (note that Monday is considered one day later than Friday).
Exam and Quiz Format
Exams and quizzes will consist of both objective and subjective material. The objective portion of the test may include but is not
limited to: Multiple Choice; True/False; True/False Correction; Matching. The subjective portion may include but is not limited to
Mathematical Problems; Short Essay; Applied Analysis; Drawing and Labeling. There will be three exams during the fall semester
(including the final). Since each class builds upon material covered in the previous class, all exams may be thought of as being
comprehensive. An unknown number of unannounced quizzes will be given in lecture throughout the semester. I will only use your
top 4 quiz scores toward your final grade. You may not make up any quizzes you miss.
Extra Help/Tutoring Opportunities
Any student having difficulty with the material in the course is first encouraged to see me outside of class for help. I am willing to do
just about anything to help you understand the material that is presented in this class. The easiest time to reach me is during my office
hours but you can schedule another time if it is mutually convenient.
Academic Honor Code:
Each student is required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy on all major work submitted for the course. Refer to UNCG
Undergraduate Bulletin.
Tentative Semester Calendar Spring 2011
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

Dates
January 11/13
January 18/20
January 25/27
February 1/3
February 8/10
February 15/17
February 22/24
March 1/3
March 8/10
March 15/17
March 22/24
March 29/31
April 5/7
April 12/14
April 19/21
April 26
May 3

Lectures
Intro to biomechanics, review of math
Planes of motion, qualitative analysis
Muscle properties
Response paper on muscle, Exam 1 review
Exam 1, Kinetics
Linear kinetics
Angular kinetics
Equilibrium, Visit Applied Neuromechanics Lab
SPRING BREAK
Linear kinematics
Angular kinematics, review of biomechanical principles
Exam 2 review, Exam 2
Movement Variability
Response paper on movement variability, Applied Writing Assignment Help
Neural Mechanisms of Control
Biomechanics Jeopardy
Final Exam (8:00am-11:00am)