Unit rationale, description and aim
A sound understanding of the mechanical principles underpinning human movement is essential for applying exercise science in the contexts of health, fitness, and sports performance. This unit introduces students to foundational biomechanical concepts, focusing on external forces and their effects on human motion, and the principles of linear and angular kinematics and kinetics. Students will explore both theoretical frameworks and best practice approaches, gaining insight into how mechanical principles apply across a range of human movement scenarios. The aim of this unit is to develop essential skills in data collection and analysis for both qualitative and quantitative biomechanical assessment. The knowledge and skills acquired align with professional standards set by accrediting bodies in Exercise Science.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain biomechanical principles fundamental to th...
Learning Outcome 01
Apply fundamental biomechanical principles to huma...
Learning Outcome 02
Describe the methods utilised in biomechanics and ...
Learning Outcome 03
Analyse human movement by using biomechanical data...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Biomechanics and its methods
- Linear kinematics
- Angular kinematics
- Movement and forces
- Linear kinetics
- Angular kinetics
- Work, power and energy
- Centre of Gravity
- Fluid mechanics
- Introduction to applied biomechanics (including topics such as movement analysis concepts, technology, sport technique and injury)
Assessment strategy and rationale
In order to best enable students to achieve unit learning outcomes and develop graduate capabilities, standards-based assessment is utilised, consistent with University assessment requirements. A range of assessment strategies is used including:
Assessment task 1 - a quiz to assess the understanding and application of knowledge
Assessment task 2 - a presentation to assess the application of key skills and the synthesis of sourced information with unit content
Assessment task 3 - a final examination to assess student learning of unit content.
Transition pedagogies support assessment success through staged tasks, in-class practice activities, early and ongoing feedback, discipline-specific skill development, and enhanced peer collaboration to promote progressive learning and student engagement throughout.
Overview of assessments
To successfully pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of all learning outcomes, and achieve a minimum overall mark of 50% in the graded assessments.
Assessment 1: Quiz Assesses understanding and ap...
Assessment 1: Quiz
Assesses understanding and application of basic biomechanical principles
20%
Assessment 2: Presentation Assess the applicatio...
Assessment 2: Presentation
Assess the application of key practical skills and the synthesis of sourced information with unit content
35%
Assessment 3: Examination Assesses understanding...
Assessment 3: Examination
Assesses understanding of all unit content
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit adopts an active learning strategy, incorporating individual and group activities, cooperative and asynchronous learning. These diverse methods are designed to ensure students gain a thorough understanding of core content while developing and applying practical skills in the analysis of human movement. The teaching strategy aligns with the unit’s aims, learning outcomes, and graduate capabilities, as well as the expectations of relevant professional standards. With a focus on fostering independent learning, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own progress and to participate actively in collaborative and interactive learning experiences.
To support students transitioning from the Diploma to second‑year undergraduate study, the unit uses targeted transition pedagogies that strengthen discipline foundations and essential study competencies through an active, engaging and supportive learning approach.