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