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