Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Biomechanics Applied to Physiotherapy

Biomechanics Applied to Physiotherapy
6
15557
1
Second semester
FB
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Teaching staff


Dr. RAMÍREZ MORENO, José - jramirez@uic.es

Dr. José Ramírez-Moreno  jramirez@uic.es

by appointment

Introduction

This document constitutes the teaching programme elaborated for the subject "Biomechanics applied to Physiotherapy", with the intention of informing about the objectives, competences, contents, methodology, bibliography and evaluation systems of the course.

The language used will be SPANISH, but CATALAN may also be used. Occasionally the teacher may communicate in French.

 

 Timetable: Teaching staff

Theoretical block

Dr. José Ramírez-Moreno jramirez@uic.es

by appointment

 

Practical block

Dr. José Ramírez-Moreno jramirez@uic.es

by appointment

 

 

Pre-course requirements

Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system will be required. For the biophysics part, basic knowledge of physics, mathematics and trigonometry will be required.

Objectives

This subject aims to provide the knowledge and resources necessary for the physiotherapy student to be able to understand the biophysical and biomechanical factors that influence the locomotor apparatus, in order to be able to apply this knowledge in their future professional work.

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 - 01. List the basic principles of physics applied to the musculoskeletal system.
  • MAT02 - 02. Demonstrate skills related to critical reasoning and decision making by solving questions and exercises.
  • MAT02 - 03. Identify evaluation and measurement systems in biomechanics, as well as their application in pathology and sports.
  • MAT02 - 04. Identify the physical bases to properly apply therapeutic exercises using suspension and poleotherapy systems.

Syllabus

The programme is organised into a theoretical and a practical block.

Theoretical block

1. GENERALITIES: the biomechanics of the human body.
2. BIOPHYSICS: kinematics and kinetics.
3. STRUCTURAL BIOMECHANICS: spine and upper and lower limbs.
4. CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS: morphostatic posture and human gait.
5. BIOMECHANICS and TECHNOLOGY: 2D and 3D systems.

Practical block

1. Assessment of morphostatic posture.

2. Gait assessment.

3. Technology applied to morphostatic and gait analysis.

 

The course programme may be modified for unforeseen reasons (group performance, availability of resources, changes in the academic calendar, etc.).

Teaching and learning activities

In person



The teaching methodology of the sessions will be entirely face-to-face and based on the expository method. This methodology will be complemented with exercises and problem solving. For unforeseen reasons, some classes may be held in online mode.

In the practical block, students will act as study subjects and also as evaluators.

Attendance is MANDATORY in the practical classes. A 20% of absences will be allowed. Absences must be justified. Failure to justify these absences will result in the loss of the right to sit the exam at the first sitting.

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The final mark for the course consists of a theoretical part (70%) and a practical part (30%). This percentage will only be applied in the case of passing both blocks (theoretical and practical) with a minimum mark of 5 out of 10. In the case of failing only one of the two parts at the first sitting, the student will only have to take the exam for the failed block at the second sitting. In the event of failing a block again at the second sitting, the marks obtained in each block will be recorded independently.

In the theory block, a multiple-choice theory exam will be taken.

The practical block will be assessed by means of a practical exam, individual practical work and continuous assessment throughout the teaching period.

Bibliography and resources

Basic bibliography:

  • Kapandji, A.I. Cuadernos de fisiología articular. 5ª edición. Editorial Panamericana. 1997. Barcelona.

  • Miralles Marrero RC, Miralles Rull I, Puig M. Biomecánica clínica de los tejidos y las articulaciones del aparato locomotor. 2ª ed. Barcelona: Masson; 2005.

  • Miralles Marrero RC, Miralles Rull I. Biomecánica clínica de las patologías del aparato locomotor. Barcelona: Masson; 2007. 

  • Prat pastor, J.M. Biomecánica de la marcha humana normal y patológica. Valencia: Instituto de Biomecánica de Valencia, d.l.: 2005.

  • Dufour, M. Biomecánica funcional: miembros, cabeza y tronco. Masson, 2006. Barcelona.

  • Perry, J. Gait analysis : normal and pathological function. Thorofare: slack incorporated, cop. 2018.

  • Viel, E. La marcha humana, la carrera, el salto: biomecánica, exploraciones, normas y alteraciones. Masson 2002. Barcelona.

Recommended bibliography:

  • Flanagan, Sean P. Biomechanics: a case-based approach. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2014.

  • Buckup K. Clinical tests for the musculoskeletal system: examinations-signs-phenomena. 2nd ed. Thieme; 2008.

  • Buschmann J, Bürgisser GM. Biomechanics of tendons and ligaments: tissue reconstruction and regeneration. Duxford, United Kingdom: Elsevier/Woodhead Publishing, an imprint of Elsevier; 2017.

  • Crowell B. Light and Matter [Internet]. Fullerton College; 2015.

  • Enoka RM. Neuromechanics of human movement. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics; 2015.

  • Fucci S, Benigni M. Biomecànica de l’aparell locomotor aplicada al condicionament muscular [Internet]. 1988.

  • Hall SJ. Basic biomechanics. Seventh edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education; 2015.

  • Hamill J, Knutzen K, Derrick TR. Biomechanical basis of human movement. 2015.

  • Knudson D. Fundamentals of Biomechanics [Internet]. 2017 

  • McGinnis PM. Biomechanics of sport and exercise. 2013.

  • Müller B, Wolf S, editors. Handbook of Human Motion [Internet]. 1st ed. Springer International Publishing; 2018 

  • Neumann DA. Kinesiology of the musculoskeletal system: foundations for physical rehabilitation /[edited by] Donald A. Neumann. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby/Elsevier; 2010.

  • Nordin M, Frankel VH. Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001.

  • Oatis CA. Kinesiology: the mechanics and pathomechanics of human movement. 2017.

  • Peterson DR. Biomechanics: Principles and Practices. 2015.

  • Biomechanics: principles and applications. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2008.

  • Richards J. The Comprehensive Textbook of  clincal Biomechanics [Internet]. 2018

  • Robertson DGE, Caldwell GE, Hamill J, Kamen G, Whittlesey SN. Research Methods in Biomechanics, Human Kinetics; 2014 

  • Schneck, Bronzino. Biomechanics: principles and applications. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2003.

  • Winter DA. Biomechanics and motor control of human movement. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley; 2009.

  • Bartlett, R. Sports biomechanics: reducing injury risk and improving sports performance.routledge, 2012. London; New York.

  • Frisch, H. Método de exploración del aparato locomotor y de la postura: diagnóstico a través de la terapia manual. Paidotribo, 2005. Barcelona.

  • Whittle, MW. Gait analysis: an introduction. Londres: Butterworth Heinemann, 2005.

  • Gage, JR. The identification and treatment of gait problems in cerebral palsy. London: Mac Keith press, 2009.

  • Mcginnis, PM. Biomechanics of sport and exercise. Champaign, IL: human kinetics, c2005.

  • Bartlett, R. Introduction to sports biomechanics: analysing human movement patterns. Abingdon: Routledge, 2007.

  • Patté J. Le grand livre de la méthode Mézières. Paris: Ed. Eyrolles; 2018.

  • Ramírez-Moreno J, Revilla JR. Análisis, evaluación morfoestática y de la extensibilidad muscular mediante fotometría digital. Actualitzacions en Fisioteràpia 2008; 3: 11-18.

  • Reyes M, Clapés A, Ramírez J, Revilla J. Automatic digital biometry analysis based on depth maps. Comput Ind. 2013;64(9):1316–25.

  • Reyes M, Clapés A, Escalera S, Ramírez J, Revilla JR. Posture Analysis and Range of Movement Estimation Using Depth Maps. In: Advances in Depth Image Analysis and Applications. Springer. Berlin; 2013. p. 97–105.

 

Recommended websites:

Instituto Biomecánico de Valencia   www.ibv.org

Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society   www.gcmas.org

International society of biomechanics   isbweb.org

International Society of Sport Biomechanics   https://isbs.org/

ESMAC - European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children  https://esmac.org/

 

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:
  • E1 09/06/2026 G1 08:00h
  • E1 09/06/2026 A15 08:00h
  • E1 09/06/2026 A16 08:00h
  • E1 09/06/2026 G2 08:00h
  • E2 01/07/2026 G1 12:00h
  • E2 01/07/2026 A15 12:00h
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