TYPICAL BIOMECHANICS PROJECTS

[Guest guest]

While I was checking through files from my biomechanics days at my former

university, I came across a small selection of various Research and Design

projects which I supervised over the years, so I thought that I might share

with you some of those which relate to strength and sports training in order

to give some idea of the type of work that characteristically is done in

applied biomechanics at many universities.

All of these projects lasted a full academic year and students very often had

to construct biomechanics measuring devices and sports training machines,

since that was the specific focus of the final and postgraduate years of the

mechanical engineering courses that I taught. Some of the higher level

student work related directly to my own research and aspects of it were used

in the preparation of my " Supertraining " textbook.

These projects might also be of some value in guiding students on this list

who may be thinking of devising their own projects as part of their present

studies.

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SENIOR PROJECTS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

School of Mechanical Engineering

University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

SUPERVISOR: Dr M C Siff

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Abrahams Y, Kokotle L, Reddy & Kavar S Engineering analysis of the Genesis

Leg Extension machine

Aligianis G, De Visser J, McClean D & Ruiter G Engineering analysis of the

Polaris 306 Leg Extension machine

Arnold A, Gilley I, G, Glen A & Houston C Biomechanical analysis of

the Challenger Pec Deck machine

Arumugam P, Lutchamma-Dudoo C, Takane P & Mabunda O Ergonomic evaluation of

the Schnell Preacher Bench Curl Machine

Arumugam P, Lai Cheong J, Padayachy D, Pontuti A & Chang C Engineering

analysis of the Universal DVR Seated Leg Press machine

Bailie G, Grover P, D & Stockill C Engineering analysis of the

Schnell Pec Deck machine

Baird G, du Sautoy S, Laverty P & Lindsey A Ergonomic analysis of the

Genesis Pec Deck machine

Baptista M, Button R, Hill J & Kamerman J Engineering analysis of the

Genesis Donkey Calf Raise machine

Becker P, Probert J, Slongo C & Sguazzin A Engineering analysis of the

Universal Leg Extension machine

Bisset J, Gendt E, Joubert F & Schaaf J Engineering analysis of the

Universal Leg Extension machine

Bosch D & Galloway A Analysis of the force-time characteristics of explosive

movements of the lower extremities

Botsane S & Segapo M Biomechanical analysis and modification of the Genesis

Leg Extension machine

Brock C, Furman R, Levin D & Smart G Engineering analysis of the Joubert

Seated Calf machine

Brown M, Gunn G, Mepham D & W Biomechanical and ergonomic analysis

of the GYMTRIM TriGravity Home Exercise machine

Burton W & Schaaf J Analysis of the force/strength characteristics of the

human spine

Cohen Y, Sachs G, Shankman & Cohen M Engineering analysis and redesign of

the Genesis and Universal Back Hyperextension machines

D, Hingst G, Joyce G & Venth M Engineering analysis of the SKIFIT S530

ski simulator exerciser

D & Hatzipanis S Biomechanical analysis of the forces exerted on the

vertebral column by a Stauffer Passive Exercise machine

Forsyth S, Kruger J, Leong Son L & Shapiro L Biomechanical analysis of the

Genesis Stepper machine

French J, Proietti-Formaggio M, Bosch D & Galloway A Ergonomic analysis of

the Rons Inclined Leg Press machine

Gilley I Measurement and Analysis of the contact forces of the foot during

human locomotion

Hafeez M, Carawan A, Kong E & Maxwell T Biomechanical analysis of the

Joubert Leg Extension machine

Hager K, M, Hogo G & Trevisan W Engineering analysis and redesign of

an inverse Leg Press machine in the Wits University gymnasium

Harding A, Budeli S, Sibanda J & Moloi L Biomechanical analysis of the

Genesis Pec Deck machine

Harvey E & Tyrer D Biomechanical measurement of dynamic and static force

during elbow flexion

Hirschowitz P & Khubedu Force Measurement in the Human Neck

Horwood S The force developed on the foot on impact after a jump

Isherwood N, Maskell P, Ritchie S & Votin A Engineering analysis of the

Ron’s Hack Squat machine

Joyce G, G, Waites A & Woodin H Biomechanical analysis of the Genesis

Leg Curl Machine

Kong E Research into development of a visual method to analyse motion in a

three-dimensional dynamic system

Kong E & Maxwell T Analysing the relative motion of points in

two-dimensional dynamic systems: the dynamics of the lower extremities

during Aerobic Step exercise

Luvhimbi B, Moroke A, Mushidzhi T & Xaba S Engineering analysis of the Ron's

Leg Press machine

Mahlaela T et al Biomechanical analysis and redesign of the Genesis Bicep

Curl machine

Mattheus B, Feris C, Huang Po-Chung & Leatherbarrow S Biomechanical analysis

of a standing pulley Bicep Curl machine

Mitchley S, Meyer S, Kuhn G & Schafer F Biomechanical analysis of the

Genesis Hack Squat machine

Olival J, De Mello Koch G, Burton B, Smoller A & Fallon T Biomechanical

analysis of the Genesis Seated Biceps Curl machine

Peverini F, Milner A, Pillay T & Gaio N Engineering analysis of the

Challenger Leg Extension machine

Ringer M Stress analysis on the surface of a human intervertebral lumbar disc

Sachs G Research into Grip Strength and Shape of Grips in Sports Equipment

Salzmann E, Siebert T, Mornau R & Hesse R Engineering analysis and

modification of the Genesis Shoulder Press machine

Segapo M & Modipane I Biomechanical analysis and comparison of punching

characteristics of boxers and karateka

Thlabanelo T, Biyela S, Ndlovu S & Legoete T Ergonomic analysis of the

Genesis Pec Deck machine

Thuntsane E Determination of forces on joints during muscular activity on

the Ron’s Leg Press machine

Van der Merwe S, Trodel W, Rebel G & Blagden H Ergonomic and biomechanical

analysis of the Universal Squat machine

Whitehead T & Venth M Biomechanical analysis of forces and torques during

the swing and impact phases of leg action during kicking a target

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DESIGN PROJECTS

Aitken C & Calvert M Design of a treadmill based on a modular component

concept

Carpenter A Design of an ambulatory rehabilitation treadmill using an

overhead support harness

Glover D Design of a lung function testing device

Gortzen J & E Design and construction of a manual rural wheelchair

Houston C Design of a multi-modal, multi-purpose machine for the

rehabilitation and testing of muscles

Mathibela M & Takane P Design of an ankle testing and rehabilitation machine

Milner A Design of force plates to test the start technique of sprint

athletes and the effectiveness of different configurations of the starting

blocks and hand positions

Ringer M Design of a system to analyse the stress distribution on the

surface of a human intervertebral lumbar disc

Sachs G Design of a grip strength meter

Senior N & Stacey T Design of an isokinetic leg exerciser

Speedy R Design of a non-intrusive myotensiometer (and research into the

dynamics of muscle tension during elbow flexion)

Van der Merwe L Design of a standing wheelchair

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RESEARCH PROJECTS

Bosch D & Galloway A Analysis of the force-time characteristics of explosive

movements of the lower extremities

Burton W & Schaaf J Analysis of the force/strength characteristics of the

human spine

Gilley I Measurement and Analysis of the contact forces of the foot during

human locomotion

Harvey E & Tyrer D Biomechanical measurement of dynamic and static force

during elbow flexion

Hirschowitz P & Khubedu M Force Measurement in the Human Neck

Horwood S The force developed on the foot on impact after a jump

Kong E & Maxwell T Analysing the relative motion of points in

two-dimensional dynamic systems: the dynamics of the lower extremities

during Aerobic Step exercise

Mitchley S, Meyer S, Kuhn G & Schafer F Biomechanical analysis of the

Genesis Hack Squat machine

Ringer M Stress analysis on the surface of a human intervertebral lumbar disc

Sachs G Research into Grip Strength and Shape of Grips in Sports Equipment

Segapo M & Modipane I Biomechanical analysis and comparison of punching

characteristics of boxers and karateka

Whitehead T & Venth M Biomechanical analysis of forces and torques during

the swing and impact phases of leg action during kicking a target

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Dr Mel C Siff

Denver, USA

Supertraining/