Sports Biomechanics: Theories, Examples, and Data Analysis

Sports Biomechanics: Theories, Examples, and Data Analysis provides mechanical theories, data-based examples, and step-by-step analyses in MATLAB, giving a comprehensive understanding of the process of performing biomechanical analysis in sports. The book connects theories with principles of data collection and offers specific data analysis techniques. It addresses gaps among theories, raw data from various collection methods, different calculations to process raw data in MATLAB, and the extraction of variables of interest to quantify sports performance and injury risk. Sample raw data, videos, figures, and MATLAB scripts are provided, along with theories to calculate key parameters in different sporting events and movements.

Readers are encouraged to replicate the data collection and data analyses listed in the book and translate the knowledge and skills to a different setting. While this book covers the data analyses in MATLAB, programming skills can be related to other software with similar language environments to help readers ask questions and understand different parameters when using software performing automatic data processing.

• Offers sample raw data for a range of sports movements, addressing the challenges researchers and practitioners encounter when dealing with massive datasets and uncertain data processing techniques
• Includes MATLAB scripts, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical data processing
• Emphasizes the importance of specific techniques and their relevance to real-world sports biomechanics problems

Dr. Boyi Dai is a professor in the Division of Kinesiology and Health at the University of Wyoming. His research areas include sports biomechanics, injury biomechanics, and ergonomics, with a focus on jump-landing mechanics and anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention and perturbation and fall prevention. Dr. Dai is an associate editor for Sports Biomechanics and an editorial board member for Research in Sports Medicine and BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. He is a fellow of and serves as the Vice President of Research and Projects for the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports.

Dr. Gerwyn Hughes is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology Department at the University of San Francisco. Dr. Hughes’s main area of research is gender differences in landing and/or cutting biomechanics associated with non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury. He has also published research in the areas of golf ball kinematics during putting, the biomechanics of simulated ankle sprains, and the use of mobile technology for in-field monitoring of athletes. Dr. Hughes currently serves as an Associate Editor for the journal Sports Biomechanics and is a member of the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports.

Dr. Steve Leigh is an associate professor in the School of Kinesiology at Marshall University. He teaches courses in biomechanical analysis, instrumentation, and data processing. His research interest is the role of 3-D visual perception in the production of coordinated throwing and grasping skills. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Physics and Marshall University's Student Success Fellow.