Description

Biomechanical Aspects of Lower Limb Injury

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

This module investigates the mechanisms of lower extremity injury and the evidence for use of different intervention strategies to avoid or treat injury. You should ideally have some previous knowledge of physiology and/or biomechanics, and have a strong interest in sports injury. Biomechanical mechanisms for specific injuries will be investigated, including practical assessment of methodologies used. Evidence regarding the success of interventions in prevention and treatment of injuries will be evaluated.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims todevelop your understanding of the mechanisms of lower extremity injury and the evidence for use of different intervention strategies. Understanding of the relationship between structure and function of the components of the lower extremity will be developed.

Graduate attributes. As part of this module you are expected to develop the following skills:

• Team work in laboratory sessions and associated formative assessment.
• Strategic thinking and problem solving in designing own data collection for a laboratory session.
• Application of knowledge in interpreting findings for presentation of experimental results.
• Building confidence as a communicator in discussing experiments and literature in lecture and laboratory settings.
• People skills in communicating with peers and module teaching team.
• Enquiring mind in pursuing further reading on topics covered in the module.
• Data management skills in collecting and recording data and analysing findings
• Ability to collect and analyse data using the Codamotion real-time motion analysis system and RSscan pressure plate
• Advanced Microsoft Excel for performing data analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Evaluate the techniques used in biomechanical analysis of human lower extremity structure and function
• 2. Demonstrate a critical awareness of methods used to collect, analyse and interpret synchronised movement and force data collected in a laboratory setting for estimation of internal loads
• 3. Critically assess methodology and evidence regarding the mechanisms and treatments of specific lower extremity injuries

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Critically evaluate research and methodologies
• 5. Apply initiative in problem solving

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Demonstrate independent learning ability, self-direction and originality
• 7. Communicate written arguments clearly and confidently
• 8. Manage information with minimum guidance

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

• Biomechanical data collection: force and pressure
• Movement analysis
• Joint moments and forces
• Tendon and ligament – structure and function
• Mechanisms of tendon injury
• Bone – structure and function
• Mechanisms of stress fractures of the lower extremity
• Cartilage – structure and function
• Mechanisms of osteoarthritis development
• Gait Analysis: Integration of biomechanics and podiatry  
• Footwear and orthotic interventions for overuse injuries of the lower extremity

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Assessment

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to sit a further examination. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Nigg, B.M. and Herzog, W. (2007). Biomechanics of the Musculo-skeletal System. Third Edition. Wiley. ISBN 13 978-0-470-01767-8.
• Whiting, W.C. and Zernicke, R.F. (2008). Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury. 2nd Edition. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN-10: 0736054421.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1651

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Biomechanics, lower limb, injury, sports performance