XNB272 Biomechanics
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | XNB272 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LSB131 or LQB187 or XNB198 or XNB187 or XNB167 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Maths B equivalent to four semesters at high school level (Years 11 and 12) is assumed knowledge |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $4,932 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | XNB272 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LSB131 or LQB187 or XNB198 or XNB187 or XNB167 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Maths B equivalent to four semesters at high school level (Years 11 and 12) is assumed knowledge |
| Coordinator: | Gabriel Siqueira Trajano | g.trajano@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit is designed to develop a basic understanding of how human movement is analysed from a biomechanical perspective and the skills necessary to complete simple analyses of human motion. Knowledge of basic biomechanical concepts is essential for all health-related professionals. This unit aims to understand the biomechanical principles of human movement, measure and analysis human movement and apply the biomechanical principles to optimise human movement and understand mechanical reasons for injuries or movement disorders.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe and explain biomechanical principles as they apply to human movement, sports performance and mechanisms of injury or prevention of injury
- Apply principles of biomechanical analysis to describe and interpret movement in activities of daily living and how this varies across diverse populations, including acute or chronic movement disorders.
- Conduct and interpret qualitative biomechanical analyses as they would be presented to a client, coach or athlete
- Effectively work in teams to apply the principles of biomechanics to describe, analyse and evaluate human movement
- Communicate scientific data and movement techniques using a range of mediums and modes responsive to the needs of clients and other professionals.
Content
This unit introduces you to the major biomechanical factors involved in movement, with a particular focus on locomotion, sports technique, injury and movement disorders. Major topics include:
- Kinetic and kinematic analysis of motion
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of gait or daily functional tasks
- Balance and stability
- Collisions and other mechanisms of injury
Learning Approaches
This unit will be delivered using a blended approach with digitally enhanced, self-directed online learning weekly practicals. It will use a combination of learning and teaching approaches, including problem-based learning, individual learning and experimental learning, by exploring and manipulating data. Biomechanical principles will be taught in contexts applicable to exercise and allied health professionals using real-world technologies within practicals. Resources developed by the Student Success Group and the Library are embedded within this unit to support your success.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback to Students
Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- You will be provided with verbal and/or written feedback on each piece of formative and summative assessment during the semester;
- criteria sheet grading;
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets; and
- generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas.
You are encouraged to communicate with the unit coordinator or unit tutor if you have any questions or concerns about the assessment items.
Assessment
Overview
Each assessment item is designed to measure your knowledge and mastery of professional skills stated in the learning outcomes.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis
A brief report outlining a proposal for a qualitative biomechanical analysis of a movement of your choice that might be presented to a client, coach or athlete.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details page for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Biomechanical Analysis
In a group, you will present your findings from a biomechanical analysis of a chosen sports skill, exercise or human movement. You will be required to apply the principles of biomechanics to describe, analyse and evaluate human movement as required by an exercise professional. This task requires the oral presentation of this knowledge and understanding in the form of a brief professional development offering to a coach or allied healthcare professional.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is NOT authorised during this assessment. Unauthorised use may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Assessment: Exam
The exam will consist of a combination of short answer and multiple-choice response questions derived from online resources, practicals, and readings and practice online quizzes from weeks 1 to 13. You will be assessed on your ability to describe how changes in biomechanics might impact movement, sport performance or likelihood of injury and to describe how you might use biomechanics to assess movement in activities of daily living amongst diverse populations, including various acute or chronic movement disorders.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is NOT authorised during this assessment. Unauthorised use may be treated as a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and appropriate penalties imposed.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Hall, S.J. (2022). Basic Biomechanics (9th ed.). Sydney:McGraw-Hill.
Reference book(s)
Blazevich, A. J. (2007). Sports biomechanics: The basics. London: A&C Black.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit. Appropriate clothing will be required for each practicum session (e.g., athletic type clothing), no open shoes will be allowed due to safety requirements.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS44 Bachelor of Podiatry
- Critically evaluate and integrate specialised discipline knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis, Exam - Employ information literacy, evidence-based professional reasoning and shared decision-making to safely and effectively undertake person-centred management for diverse lower limb conditions through assessment, investigation, diagnosis and evaluation.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis - Implement safe and effective assessment and management of patients, using highly developed clinical and technical skills, exercising reflexive, ethical, sustainable and culturally responsive practice, within regulatory and legal frameworks.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis - Practice effective multimodal communication and collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis
CS46 Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
- Critically evaluate and integrate advanced specialised knowledge of body systems, pathology, podiatric medicine and therapeutics in real-world settings.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis, Exam - Employ research skills in parallel with evidence-based professional reasoning and shared decision-making to safely and effectively undertake person-centred management for diverse lower limb conditions through assessment, investigation, diagnosis and evaluation.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis - Implement safe and effective assessment and management of patients, using highly developed clinical and technical skills, exercising reflexive, ethical, sustainable and culturally responsive practice, within regulatory and legal frameworks.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis - Practice scholarly multimodal communication and effective collaboration, establishing inclusive partnerships with patients, health professionals and relevant stakeholders, leveraging digital capabilities and interprofessional referral pathways to positively impact individual and community health outcomes, applying the full scope of podiatric practice, including dissemination of research findings.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis
XN50 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
- Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis - Apply problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis, Exam - Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis
XN51 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of individuals and populations across the full health spectrum.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis - Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis, Exam - Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis
XN52 Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Honours)
- Design and deliver exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of individuals and populations across the full health spectrum.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis - Apply problem-solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning to implement, analyse and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis, Exam - Communicate and collaborate to transfer complex knowledge to clients and health professionals in a culturally safe manner.
Relates to: Biomechanical Analysis
XN55 Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Honours)
- Design and deliver advanced exercise assessments and programs to meet the specific needs of contemporary sport, exercise and health contexts.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis - Critically apply problem-solving, innovative thinking, and analytical reasoning to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions for diverse clients and stakeholders.
Relates to: Exam - Communicate and collaborate effectively using a range of written, oral and digital formats to transfer complex knowledge to clients and sport and exercise professionals in an inclusive and culturally responsive manner.
Relates to: Applied Biomechanics: A Proposal for Qualitative Movement Analysis, Biomechanical Analysis