Fundamentals of Biomechanics

Rating:
Summary: Review from the American Sports Medicine Institute
Review: "Fundamentals of Biomechanics" delivers everything it promises, and more. The challenge of teaching and learning biomechanics is understanding the two distinct fields that it comprises - biology and mechanics. In my experience, some students enter biomechanics with aptitude and interest in one of these fields and reluctance to the other. As a leader in biomechanics, Dr. Knudson seems to realize this and does an expert job of teaching these two fields in separate parts of the textbook. The text is clearly written, and includes many helpful illustrations and examples.

After mastering the material in the biological/structural and mechanical parts of the textbook, the student is then ready to start combining these two fields into scientific analysis of human movement. In the qualitative analysis part of the textbook, Dr. Knudson leads the students through some examples of the endless possible applications of their new biomechanics knowledge. With the foundations taught in this textbook, the student is prepared to advance into biomechanics and related fields.

Glenn S. Fleisig, Ph.D.
Smith & Nephew Chair of Research
American Sports Medicine Institute

Rating:
Summary: Review from the University of Granada, Spain
Review: After reading this book, one feels it is possible to understand very complex concepts in Biomechanics without equations. It bridges the gap between biomechanical theories and everday practice for undergraduate students and sport coaches.
Starting with the "Nine Principles for Application of Biomechanics" the author leads the reader to every area of biomechanics throught a logical structure with a lot of practical examples, comments boxes, clear figures and up-to-date references.

The inclusion of the end of each chapter of a recommended reading list, review questions and relevant or related Web links plus Laboratory Activities at the end of the book makes even more useful in the day to day work of teaching biomechanics or analysis of sport technique. This book will be an excellent textbook that teachers will recommend to the students with confidence.

Raul Arellano
Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Science
University of Granada

Rating:
Summary: a book for students & professionals from all over the world
Review: The book is remarkably well written, the structure is well designed and all the examples are carefully selected in order to enhance the understanding of the students.

Additionally, the mechanical and biological concepts are exceptionally well integrated. This increases the spectrum of fields of application.

The book should be read by students and professionals from all over the world. The reason is that Duane Knudson explains biomechanics for students, coaches, physiotherapists and medical doctors in comprehensive aspects of human movements clearly and simply with a biological and predominantly qualitative approach.

- Dr. Juergen Krug
Dean of the Faculty of Sport Science
Institute of Kinesiology, Biomechanics and Training Theory at the Faculty of Sport Science of the University of Leipzig, Germany