Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Mechanical Properties of Tissues
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
In the subject Mechanical Properties of Tissues, the main characteristics that determine the mechanical behavior of bone, muscle, tendon, and ligament tissues are studied, as well as the tests used to determine their mechanical properties.
Pre-course requirements
Basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and physics.
Objectives
- To understand the basic concepts and fundamentals of the various mechanical properties of tissues that may be of interest in physiotherapy.
- To know the structure, internal organization, and chemical composition of human tissues that influence their mechanical behavior.
- To explain the different mechanical behaviors of the tissues in the human body.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Distinguish the theoretical bases, general physiotherapy procedures and models of action in physiotherapy to be applied in the different diseases of all devices and systems and in all specialties of medicine and surgery.
- CN03 - Describe the pathophysiology of human body diseases from the clinical perspective and the type of intervention that the physiotherapist has, demonstrating knowledge about the behavior of people, both healthy and sick, as well as the factors that influence human growth and development.
- CN04 - Define the different physiotherapeutic assessment and treatment procedures, in accordance with internationally recognized standards and international validation instruments.
- CN06 - Identify the bases of interactive technologies in health sciences, favoring a creative attitude for intervention guidelines in physiotherapy.
- CP02 - Apply various therapeutic exercises, methodologies and physiotherapy treatment techniques to injuries and illnesses across various clinical specialties, providing comprehensive care to patients/users through multidisciplinary cooperation, process integration, and continuity of care, interpreting physician prescriptions, and making appropriate decisions in each case.
- HB05 - Structure the different steps of the scientific method, developing the most optimal methodological skills for physiotherapy in scientific and clinical reasoning and critically analyzing the methods, protocols and treatments of Physiotherapy care so that they adapt to the evolution of scientific knowledge.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- MAT02 - 02. Demonstrate skills related to critical reasoning and decision making by solving questions and exercises.
- MAT02 - 05. Explain the different mechanical behaviors of the tissues of the human body.
Syllabus
Content
1 Introduction to Mechanical Properties
1.1 Motivation and description of the course
1.2 Introduction to Mechanical Properties (Concepts)
1.3 Brief Review of the Standards Governing Mechanical Testing
2 Mechanical properties of human tissues
2.1 Mechanical properties of bone tissue
2.2 Mechanical properties of muscle tissue
2.3 Mechanical properties of cartilage tissue
2.4 Mechanical properties of tendons and ligaments
2.5 Mechanical properties of blood vessels
3 Materials Used in Tissue Substitution
3.1 Overview of Materials Used in Tissue Substitution (Biomaterials)
3.2 Mechanical Properties of Biomaterials Used for Tissue Substitution
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The subject combines theoretical classes with individual work, autonomous study, and occasionally work in pairs or small groups.
Plagiarism, copying, or any other action that may be considered cheating will result in a zero in that evaluation section.
The theoretical classes aim to introduce students to the basic concepts of the discipline and provide instructive and informative content, with a practical approach, encouraging reflection and providing solutions to the problems posed.
The process of autonomous learning also takes place using the Moodle platform, which includes various resources such as quizzes, group assignments, debates, proposed exercises, videos, and more.
Classes will be conducted in Spanish, although students may ask questions in their preferred language (Spanish, Catalan, or English). Additionally, exercises, assignments, and exams will be conducted in Spanish. The educational material will primarily be in Spanish, except for articles or graphics that may be in English.
During exams, students are allowed to use calculators and a formula sheet. The formula sheet can only contain formulas, not explanations.
Attendance to practical sessions is mandatory to pass the course.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The final grade of the course will be calculated as follows:
First call:
Continuous evaluation (class participation, short questionnaires, practice reports...:):30%
Midterm exam: 30%
Final exam: 40%
In other calls:
Exam: 75%
Rest of course grades: 25% (non-recoverable grade).
Attention: The minimum grade for both the partial exam and the final exam must be greater than 4.0 in order to average with the rest of the evaluations.
Bibliography and resources
Main:
Nordin M, Frandel VH. Basic biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. 3 ed. U.S.A.:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001. *Traducido como: Biomecànica bàsica del sistema musculoesquelético, por: McGraw-Hill / Interamericana d'Espanya, SA (2004).
Müller B, Wolf S. Handbook of human motion. Springer 2018. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-14418-4
Evaluation period
- E1 02/06/2026 G2 08:00h
- E1 02/06/2026 G1 08:00h
- E1 02/06/2026 I1 08:00h
- E1 02/06/2026 I2 08:00h
- E2 03/07/2026 G2 08:00h
- E2 03/07/2026 G1 08:00h
- E2 03/07/2026 I2 08:00h
- E2 03/07/2026 I1 08:00h