| Biomechanics is the research and | | | | response to exercise have been widely |
| analysis of the mechanics of living | | | | regarded as instances in which living |
| organisms or the application and | | | | tissue is remodeling as a direct |
| derivation of engineering principles to | | | | consequence of applied loads. |
| and from biological systems. The | | | | Relevant mathematical tools include |
| research and analysis can be carried | | | | linear algebra, differential equations, |
| forth on multiple levels, from the | | | | vector and tensor calculus, numerics and |
| molecular, wherein biomaterials such as | | | | computational techniques such as the |
| collagen and elastin are considered, all | | | | finite element method. |
| the way up to the tissue and organ | | | | The study of biomaterials is of crucial |
| level. Some simple applications of | | | | importance to biomechanics. For example, |
| Newtonian mechanics can supply correct | | | | the various tissues within the body, |
| approximations on each level, but | | | | such as skin, bone, and arteries each |
| precise details demand the use of | | | | possess unique material properties. The |
| continuum mechanics. | | | | passive mechanical response of a |
| Aristotle wrote the first book on | | | | particular tissue can be attributed to |
| biomechanics, De Motu Animalium, or On | | | | characteristics of the various proteins, |
| the Movement of Animals. He not only saw | | | | such as elastin and collagen, living |
| animals' bodies as mechanical systems, | | | | cells, ground substances such as |
| but pursued questions such as the | | | | proteoglycans, and the orientations of |
| physiological difference between | | | | fibers within the tissue. For example, |
| imagining performing an action and | | | | if human skin were largely composed of a |
| actually doing it. Some simple examples | | | | protein other than collagen, many of its |
| of biomechanics research include the | | | | mechanical properties, such as its |
| investigation of the forces that act on | | | | elastic modulus, would be different. |
| limbs, the aerodynamics of bird and | | | | Chemistry, molecular biology, and cell |
| insect flight, the hydrodynamics of | | | | biology have much to offer in the way of |
| swimming in fish, and locomotion in | | | | explaining the active and passive |
| general across all forms of life, from | | | | properties of living tissues. For |
| individual cells to whole organisms. The | | | | example, in muscle contractions, the |
| biomechanics of human beings is a core | | | | binding of myosin to actin is based on a |
| part of kinesiology. | | | | biochemical reaction involving calcium |
| Applied mechanics, most notably | | | | ions and ATP. |
| thermodynamics and continuum mechanics, | | | | The study of biomechanics ranges from |
| and mechanical engineering disciplines | | | | the inner workings of a cell to the |
| such as fluid mechanics and solid | | | | movement and development of limbs, the |
| mechanics, play prominent roles in the | | | | vasculature, and bones. As we develop a |
| study of biomechanics. By applying the | | | | greater understanding of the |
| laws and concepts of physics, | | | | physiological behavior of living |
| biomechanical mechanisms and structures | | | | tissues, researchers are able to advance |
| can be simulated and studied. | | | | the field of tissue engineering, as well |
| It has been shown that applied loads and | | | | as develop improved treatments for a |
| deformations can affect the properties | | | | wide array of pathologies. |
| of living tissue. There is much research | | | | Biomechanics as a sports science, |
| in the field of growth and remodeling as | | | | kinesiology, applies the laws of |
| a response to applied loads. For | | | | mechanics and physics to human |
| example, the effects of elevated blood | | | | performance in order to gain a greater |
| pressure on the mechanics of the | | | | understanding of performance in athletic |
| arterial wall, the behavior of | | | | events through modeling, simulation, and |
| cardiomyocytes within a heart with a | | | | measurement. |
| cardiac infarct, and bone growth in | | | | |