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Emil Cordes

In this course, we go deep into the science of human movement in order to understand the biomechanics of sports. The goal is to break down motion into its physics in order to analyze and optimize athletic performance.

For that, we first need to understand the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system. Then, we use different tests, methods and principles to capture the diagnostics and the biomechanics of different movements in sports. Ultimately, with all the prior knowledge that we have gained, we look at the most common tools and devices that are used in the industry for motion analysis.

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In this course, we go deep into the science of human movement in order to understand the biomechanics of sports. The goal is to break down motion into its physics in order to analyze and optimize athletic performance.

For that, we first need to understand the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system. Then, we use different tests, methods and principles to capture the diagnostics and the biomechanics of different movements in sports. Ultimately, with all the prior knowledge that we have gained, we look at the most common tools and devices that are used in the industry for motion analysis.

If You Are Curious And Want To Pursue A Career In Biomechanics, Check Out This Course.

As a studied biomechanist myself, I study the science of human locomotion and find ways to analyze and optimize movements. This course contains lots of valuable scientifically proven knowledge that I have gained over the years studying and working in the field of biomechanics, put together into 60+ lectures and 3.5 hours of content. Let me share it with you.

After finishing this course, you will be able to:

  1. Understand the anatomy and the function of the skeletal system

  2. Understand structure of the muscular system and the functioning of muscle contraction

  3. Know how to break down movements into its physical properties

  4. Apply different methods to different vertical jump tests to calculate the jump height

  5. Understand the biomechanics of sprinting

  6. Know the most common tools used for motion analysis in the industry

The following topics will be covered in this course:

Introduction Into Sports Biomechanics

  • How can we define sports biomechanics?

  • What are the tasks and what are some possible fields of work for sports biomechanics?

  • Which terms are used in the biomechanics to describe locations and movements?

The Skeletal System

  • What's the structure of bones and joints?

  • What does "stress shielding" mean and why is it bad?

  • What's the structure and function of tendons and ligaments?

The Muscular System

  • Which types of muscle are there and how are they built?

  • How do muscles contract and how does it affect force generation?

  • How do muscles and tendons work together to ensure optimal elasticity?

Jumping Diagnostics

  • What are the goals of jumping diagnostics?

  • Which different jump tests are there and when should they be used?

  • Which methods are there to calculate different performance parameters like the jump height?

Sprint Biomechanics

  • In which biomechanical phases can we devide a 100 m sprint?

  • What are the differences in the technique and the biomechanics in each phase?

  • What are the effects of supporting systems (shoes, prostheses etc.) on the sprint performance?

Biomechanical Principles

  • How can we use physics to describe movements in sports?

  • Why do we have the biomechanical principles and how can they help us to understand motion?

  • What are the characteristics of each biomechanical principle?

Motion Analysis

  • What are the objectives of motion tracking?

  • Which tools for the analysis of human movement exist in the industry?

  • How can we further analyze data obtained from motion tracking systems?

Training Surfaces

  • What are the effects of footwear constructions on athletic performance?

  • What are the effects of training surfaces on athletic performance?

  • What are the biomechanical and performance benefits of training barefoot?

Of course, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee from Udemy. Feel free to enroll now to see if this course is for you.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn which methods and diagnostics are used to measure an athlete's performance
  • Understand how the muscular system works
  • Get to know the tasks and the fields of work for sports biomechanics
  • Learn about the structure and functioning of the skeletal system
  • Understand the biomechanics that allow the best technique for sprinting
  • Get to know the most essential tools that are used for motion analysis in the industry
  • Understand how the non-contractile components of the body contribute to an increased performance
  • Learn how we generate force
  • Understand the effect of training surfaces and shoes on athletic performance
  • Get to know the biomechanical principles that describe the physics of all movements

Syllabus

Get an overview about the contents of the course and learn the basics about biomechanics of sports
Welcome To The Course!
Course Structure & Overview
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on the science of human movement, crucial for understanding performance optimization in various sports
Taught by Emil Cordes, a recognized expert in the field of biomechanics
Covers a range of topics essential for a comprehensive understanding of biomechanics in sports
Emphasizes the practical applications of biomechanics, making it relevant to both students and practitioners
Requires a basic understanding of anatomy, physiology, and physics

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Reviews summary

Solid biomechanics foundation for professionals

According to students, this course provides a strong theoretical foundation in sports biomechanics, with many praising the instructor's clear explanations and expertise. Learners find the content on jumping diagnostics, sprinting mechanics, and motion analysis tools particularly useful. While it is well-regarded for its structured approach and value as a supplement for academic studies or for professionals like physical therapists, some learners noted the academic nature and wished for more practical applications or interactive elements to enhance engagement.
Detailed coverage of jump, sprint, and motion analysis.
"I found the modules on jumping diagnostics and sprint biomechanics incredibly useful for my practice."
"I particularly enjoyed the section on motion analysis tools, which gave me insights into industry standards."
"As a strength and conditioning coach, I appreciated the breakdown of sprinting mechanics and how different factors affect performance."
"The sections on jump and sprint analysis were well-explained."
Provides comprehensive anatomical and biomechanical principles.
"A very solid introduction to sports biomechanics. The anatomy and physiology sections were well-covered, providing a good foundation."
"This course provided a fantastic deep dive into sports biomechanics. I particularly liked the detailed modules on skeletal and muscular systems, which were crucial refreshers for me."
"The coverage of biomechanical principles was thorough."
"It's a strong theoretical course with some practical insights."
The instructor effectively explains complex biomechanics.
"The instructor explains complex biomechanical principles in a clear and engaging way."
"The instructor clearly knows his stuff, and the explanations are spot on."
"As a strength and conditioning coach, I appreciated the breakdown of sprinting mechanics... The instructor's passion for the subject shines through."
"The instructor provides a solid base for understanding human movement from a physics perspective."
Some found the presentation dry and lacking interactive elements.
"The course has good information, but I found the presentation a bit dry at times."
"I wish there was more dynamic content to keep me engaged."
"Sometimes it feels like listening to a robotic voice. The visuals are static."
"More interactive elements or quizzes would have improved engagement."
Learners desire more hands-on and real-world case studies.
"My only minor critique is that some parts felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved more in-depth case studies or practical exercises beyond just theory."
"Honestly, I was expecting more practical applications. While the theory is there, it's very academic... hoping for more directly applicable drills or analysis techniques."
"It felt more like an academic lecture series than a practical guide to optimizing performance."
"It could benefit from more real-world examples or demonstrations, but overall, it's a comprehensive theoretical foundation."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sports Biomechanics: Analyze & Optimize Athletic Performance with these activities:
Review Anatomy and Physiology
Refresh your knowledge of the skeletal and muscular systems to better understand biomechanics.
Browse courses on Anatomy
Show steps
  • Review muscle anatomy.
  • Review bone anatomy.
  • Review the functions of the muscular and skeletal systems.
Calculate Jump Height
Demonstrate the application of biomechanics in practical scenarios.
Show steps
  • Identify the different jump tests and their applications.
  • Practice calculating jump height using different methods.
Discuss Sprint Technique
Engage in peer discussions to consolidate knowledge on sprint biomechanics.
Show steps
  • Formulate questions related to sprint technique and biomechanics.
  • Attend a peer discussion session and actively participate.
  • Summarize key takeaways from the discussion.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Create a Motion Analysis Project
Apply biomechanical principles to analyze human movement and enhance your understanding.
Browse courses on Motion Analysis
Show steps
  • Select a movement to analyze.
  • Design an experiment to capture the movement.
  • Analyze the data and interpret the results.
  • Create a presentation to showcase your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Sports Biomechanics: Analyze & Optimize Athletic Performance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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