Human Body Dynamics: Classical Mechanics and Human Movement Book

The main goal of this book is to present principles of classical mechanics using case studies involving human movement. The book assumes a background in calculus and physics. Vector algebra and vector differentiation are introduced in the text and are used to describe the motion of objects. Advanced topics such as three-dimensional motion mechanics are treated in some depth. Whenever possible, the analysis is also presented graphically, by using diagrams and software-created sequences of human movement in an athletic event or a dance performance. Each chapter contains illustrative examples and problem sets. It can be used for as a text for undergraduate biomedical engineering students in their core course in mechanics. It can also be an used as a text for a graduate course in sports biomechanics, and as a supplement for general engineering statics and dynamics courses. In addition, the book will be of interest to orthopaedic surgeons, physical therapists and graduate students in sports medicine. "Human Body Dynamics is a remarkable book. A concise, comprehensive, well-written and well illustrated first chapter gives a necessary introduction to the anatomy of the human body. In the following chapters human body dynamics is explored using the principles of classical mechanics. The concluding chapter deals with the methods of three-dimensional mechanics. With these powerful tools, a myriad of very interesting problems are solved. This, I would say is the dessert of the feast." H. Bülent Atabek, Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering, The Catholic University of America. "This book represents a very ambitious undertaking of providing, in a single volume, a comprehensive exposition of the kinematics and dynamics governing the motion of the human body as well as a complete course of general mechanics. The author has been remarkably successful in achieving both objectives. He has produced a very accessible text without sacrificing the accuracy of arguments and avoiding undue simplifications of the problems. The book should prove to be a great value to the practitioners in orthopedics, sports medicine and bioengineering research. University students interested in careers in medicine or bioengineering may find it an interesting alternative to the standard courses in mechanics." Maciej P. Bieniek, Renwick Professor Emeritus of Engineering Mechanics, Columbia University. "The distinguishing feature of this book is that the development of the fundamentals of classical mechanics, which govern the biological applications, is so careful and precise, despite its compactness. This book will be especially appealing to students of human body motion who are seriously interested in understanding the laws which determine that motion. It most certainly should be owned and studied by all instructors of courses in biomechanics." Frank L. DiMaggio, Carleton Professor of Civil Engineering, Columbia University.Read More