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AHPT 820

AHPT 820: Kinesiology/ Biomechanics
               
Prerequisite: Admission to the doctor of physical therapy program or permission of the Department
               
Credit Hours: (3)

An examination of the interaction of muscles, bones, joints, and external forces that are responsible for human movement.



Detailed Description of Course

Content: The course will examine the interaction of bones, joints, muscles, and external forces that are responsible for movement. Students will study the major joints complexes of the human body. Learning objectives for each joint complex will include the basics of kinetics, biomechanics in association with muscles, connective tissues and bones connected to that specific joint. The origins, insertions, actions of the muscles and, in some joint complexes, patterns of physical dysfunction will also be discussed as it relates to normal movement.
   

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Instructional methods used may be lecture, small group interactions, and journal submissions and feedback. At designated times there may be in-class labs conducted to better experience and explore concepts of movement introduced in class. There may be a group project required which will involve cooperative learning, organizational management, and oral presentation skills of group members.


Goals and Objectives of this Course

Will require students to:

1) Have an appreciation of joint complexes of the body required for normal movement;  2) Describe human motion in terms of anatomical planes and joints motions; 3) Understand the loads and responses to which bones are subjected to during movement; 4) identity joint structures, anatomy, and shapes of articular surfaces; 5) Understand muscle structure, direction of muscle fibers, and muscle actions; 6) Describe muscle force generation and resulting force vectors; 7) Apply concepts of vector analysis, effects of gravity, force couple, and center of mass to basic human movement; 8) Describe dynamic and static anatomical components during human movement; 9) Describe the kinematics of both the upper and lower extremities on the trunk posture; 10) Relate how age influences posture, biomechanics and mobility; 11) Develop an understanding of anatomical intrinsic and extrinsic structures for movement; 12) Synthesize the elements responsible for major joint movements of the human body; 13) Compare and coordinate kinematic terminology in describing simple task components to more complex components of multi-joint movements; 14) Analyze and apply the effects of external physical forces in various aspects of human motion; 15) Analyze components of static posture and balance as they relates to age and gender; 16) Analyze the relationship of human motion affected by various limitations imposed by aging; 17) Analyze a complex well-defined movement in biomechanical terms and concepts; 18) Define a capsular pattern; 19) State the expected end feel for each joint.


Assessment Measures

May include:

Weekly summaries/journals, examinations, and group projects


Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

February 10, 2014