Biomechanical Analysis
For the purpose of understanding the movement being analyzed, strength and conditioning professionals should use the following four questions. First, what are the patterns of movement (i.e., concentric, eccentric, or isometric), and in which planes do they take place? Second, what joints are involved during the activity? Third, what muscles are recruited, and what are the muscle actions?
Finally, what is the duration of time that the athlete will be actively engaged in the athletic event? With these key questions, strength and conditioning professionals can determine the demands placed on the body during the sport. The ultimate goal of analysis is to manipulate and match the acute variables that govern the program’s design to match the metabolism and movements involved in the sport.
Typically, biomechanical evaluations require strength and conditioning professionals to analyze videos of athletes performing their sports. Those without access to advanced video equipment can accomplish this type of analysis by watching simple video of athletes during practices or games. The following are some very basic procedures for video analysis that strength and conditioning professionals can follow.