Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Biomechanics Lab (Face-to-Face)

KIN 3065-04

Course: KIN 3065-04
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31356

Course Description

Lab to accompany KIN 3060. This laboratory provides hands-on experience quantifying and analyzing human motion from a biomechanics perspective. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): KIN 3060 or instructor permission Prerequisite(s): KIN 3020 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Optional Materials:   
Text: Hamill, J. & Knutzen, K. (2021). Biomechanical basis of human movement (5th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott-Raven Publishers. (Option to get the 4th edition instead.) 
 
Required Materials: 
Online readings and videos: as assigned by the instructor - will be made available on Canvas. 
Hard copy or electronic copy of lab assignments found on Canvas 
Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or similar spreadsheet software 
Calculator with trigonometry functions 

Learning Outcomes


Students will develop practical biomechanics data collection and analytical skills: 

  • Identify, define, and use physical descriptors of movement for qualitative movement analysis. 
  • Actively explore Newton’s laws of motion through quantitative analysis of human movement.  
  • Define, identify, and use various data collection and analysis tools common in biomechanics.  
  • Identify, and distinguish principles of kinetics and kinematics necessary to solve problems of human movement. 
  • Analyze and synthesize biomechanical data and knowledge to solve problems and answer questions related to human movement and performance.  
  • Understand and conduct basic human movement analyses and apply the concepts to several tasks such as walking, running, and throwing.

Course Requirements

Course Evaluations: 
  1. Lab Experiences - 140 pts 
  2. Movement Analysis Project - 60 pts TOTAL 200 pts 

  1. Lab Experiences:  Weekly experiences will be assigned. Typically, you will need to collect and/or analyze some data during your lab session and complete a brief analysis and critical assessment of the data outside of lab. This can include spreadsheet calculations, diagrams, basic statistics, graphing, and writing. You will have one week to complete each lab experience starting with your weekly lab session. To complete the experience you must submit the required materials on Canvas BEFORE the beginning of your next lab session. Specific instructions will be provided each week. 
  2. Movement Analysis Project: You will use techniques in lab to complete an analysis of a movement activity and contribute your data to a class data set. Instructions will be provided throughout the semester. At the end of the semester, you will complete an analysis of aggregate class data.  

  • GRADING: (percentage of points received) 
94 – 100% = A 73 – 76%   = C 
90 – 93%   = A- 70 – 72%   = C- 
87 – 89%   = B+ 67 – 69%   = D+ 
83 – 86%   = B 63 – 66%   = D 
80 – 82%   = B- 60 – 62%   = D- 
77 – 79%   = C+ 0 – 59%   = F 

Course Outline

This outline is tentative and may be altered by the instructor.

Week 1: Introduction to Lab, Biomechanical Data and Spreadsheets
Week 2: Biomechanical Models and Measurement
Week 3: Electromyography and Motor Control
Week 4: Anatomical Landmarks, Sensor and Marker Placement
Week 5: Kinematics and Video Analysis
Week 6: 3-Dimensional Video Analysis
Week 7: Data Processing and Joint Kinematics
Week 8: Balance and Center of Mass
Week 9: Exploring Ground Reaction Force
Week 10: Jump Style, GRF and Impulse
Week 11: Data Reduction and Reporting
Week 12: Work, Power, Energy
Week 13: Joint Torque

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  1. Late Work and Make-Up Policy:  All lab worksheets should be completed by the scheduled date and time. For lab worksheets this is at the beginning of the next lab session. If you miss a lab for any reason, you will not receive full credit on the lab worksheet unless PRIOR consent is given by the instructor and you have completed any arranged make-up activities. Lab worksheets will be submitted on Canvas. Due dates will be posted on Canvas, and I will do my best to remind you in class when items are due. It is your responsibility to pay attention to posted due dates on Canvas. Lab worksheets received within 24 hours after the due date will receive up to half credit. Items submitted more than 24 hours after the due date will receive a score of zero. 

Exceptions to this policy will only be made if the student misses: 
  1. for school-related activities that are made known to the instructor PRIOR to the due date.  
  2. for extreme medical or family emergencies when presented with proper evidence (e.g., physician note, funeral program) within a week of occurrence. 

If you miss a lab or activity for an excused reason (e.g., documented illness or accident, religious holiday), I will arrange an opportunity to “make up” the missed activity in a way that resembles the lab activity as closely as possible. Since it is not always possible to replicate these activities, please make every reasonable effort to be present. It is your responsibility to initiate contact with me so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Otherwise, you will not be able to make up that assignment.

Attendance Policy

Attendance and participation in labs is REQUIRED as it is difficult to access lab materials and experiences outside of lab time. I expect you to attend all lab sessions so you do not miss out on hands-on, practical experiences. Significant portions of data collection, and analysis will be completed in lab, and if you are not there you will not always be able to replicate the experience. If you have to miss lab for an excused reason, I can help you get any missed data, material, and announcements.  
Labs will involve applying sensors and tools to yourself or your peers and taking measurements of human subjects. You will be asked to participate in labs in the role of a test subject and/or researcher/clinician. Labs may require you to complete a variety of physical activities (walking, running, jumping, throwing, etc.) and measurements such as video recordings, and forces. Participation in the course may expose you to certain foreseeable and unforeseeable risks such as, but not limited to discomfort, illness, or injury. Knowing of these risks, you freely and voluntarily participate in the course and hereby agree to assume and accept any and all associated risks. You should READ THE LAB WORKSHEET BEFORE YOU COME TO LAB, and make sure that you arrive at class prepared (dressed appropriately, proper tools, etc.) to participate in the planned activities. Completing the lab worksheets includes participating in the activities during lab. If you do not attend the lab (for any unexcused reason), you may not receive full points for submitting the lab worksheet.

Course Fees

$7.50

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.