Preface

The ninth edition of Basic Biomechanics has been significantly updated and ­redesigned from the previous edition. As the interdisciplinary field of biomechanics grows in both breadth and depth, it is important that even introductory textbooks reflect the nature of the science. Accordingly, the text has been revised, expanded, and updated, with the objectives being to present relevant information from recent research findings and to prepare students to analyze human biomechanics.

The approach remains an integrated balance of qualitative and quantitative examples, applications, and problems designed to illustrate the principles discussed. The ninth edition also retains the important sensitivity to the fact that some beginning students of biomechanics possess weak backgrounds in mathematics. For this reason, it includes numerous sample problems and applications, along with practical advice on approaching quantitative problems.

Each chapter follows a logical and readable format, with the introduction of new concepts consistently accompanied by practical human movement examples and applications from across the life span and across sport, clinical, and daily living ­activities.

New content has been added to provide updated scientific information on relevant topics. All chapters have been revised to incorporate the latest information from the biomechanics research literature, and numerous new sport and clinical applications and examples are included. Topics added or expanded include articular cartilage repair, electromechanical delay, facet joint structure and function, hamstrings strains, barefoot running, baseball pitching, stand-up paddle boarding, bone health in microgravity, swimming technique, uses of exoskeletons, and careers utilizing biomechanics.

Balanced Coverage

Biomechanics is a field that analyzes the mechanical aspects of biological organisms. In this book focused on human biomechanics, anatomical and mechanical factors, as well as functional applications are covered. The integrated approach to coverage of these areas taken in previous editions is continued in this ninth edition.

Applications Oriented

All chapters in this new edition contain discussion of a broad range of updated human movement applications, many of which are taken from the recent biomechanics research literature. Special emphasis has been placed on examples that span all ages and address clinical and daily living issues, as well as sport applications.

Laboratory Experiences

The integrated laboratory manual at the end of each chapter includes a number of updates.

In addition to the sample problems, problem sets, laboratory experiences, end-of-chapter key terms lists, and lists of websites, the book contains other pedagogical features from previous editions. These include key concepts, marginal definitions, sample problems, ­chapter summaries, introductory and additional problems, references, and appendices.

Connect

The ninth edition of Basic Biomechanics is now available online with Connect, McGraw Hill’s integrated assignment and assessment platform. Connect also offers SmartBook 2.0 for the new edition, which is the first adaptive reading experience proven to improve grades and help students study more effectively. All of the title’s website and ancillary content is also available through Connect. Connect ­includes downloadable ancillaries, student quizzing, additional student exercises, and much more.

Resources for instructors and students include:

• Downloadable PowerPoint presentations with annotated lecture notes

• Instructor’s manual, originally developed by Darla Smith, faculty emerita, University of Texas at El Paso

• Test bank, available with Test Builder, which allows instructors to create and deliver online and printed (Word or PDF) tests

• Image library

SmartBook 2.0®

Available within Connect, SmartBook 2.0® makes study time as productive and efficient as possible by identify­ing and closing knowledge gaps. SmartBook 2.0 identifies what an individual student knows and doesn’t know based on the student’s confidence level, responses to questions, and other factors. SmartBook 2.0 builds an optimal, ­personalized learning path for each student, so students spend less time on concepts they already understand and more time on those they don’t. As a student engages with SmartBook 2.0, the reading experience continuously adapts by highlighting the most impactful content that person needs to learn at that mo­ment. This ensures that every minute spent with SmartBook 2.0 is returned to the student as the most value-added minute possible. The result? More confidence, better grades, and greater success.

SmartBook 2.0 is now optimized for phones and tablets. Its interactive features are also accessible for students with disabilities. Just like our new eBook and ReadAnywhere app, SmartBook 2.0 is available both online and offline.

Writing Assignment

McGraw Hill’s new Writing Assignment tool delivers a learning experience that ­improves students’ written communication skills and conceptual understanding with every assignment. Assign, monitor, and provide feedback on writing more efficiently and grade assignments within McGraw Hill Connect^®. Writing Assignment gives ­students an all-in-one place interface, so you can provide feedback more efficiently.

Features include:

• Saved and reusable comments (text and audio)

• Ability to link to resources in comments

• Rubric building and scoring

• Ability to assign draft and final deadline milestones

• Tablet ready and tools for all learners

Test Builder in Connect

Available within Connect, Test Builder is a cloud-based tool that enables instructors to format tests that can be printed or administered within a LMS. Test Builder offers a modern, streamlined interface for easy content configuration that matches course needs, without requiring a download.

Test Builder allows you to:

• access all test bank content from a particular title.

• easily pinpoint the most relevant content through robust filtering options.

• manipulate the order of questions or scramble questions and/or answers.

• pin questions to a specific location within a test.

• determine your preferred treatment of algorithmic questions.

• choose the layout and spacing.

• add instructions and configure default settings.

Test Builder provides a secure interface for better protection of content and allows for just-in-time updates to flow directly into assessments. 

Remote Proctoring & Browser-Locking Capabilities

New remote proctoring and browser-locking capabilities, hosted by Proctorio within Connect, provide control of the assessment environment by enabling security options and verifying the identity of the student.

Seamlessly integrated within Connect, these services allow instructors to control students’ assessment experience by restricting browser activity, recording students’ activity, and verifying students are doing their own work.

Instant and detailed reporting gives instructors an at-a-glance view of potential academic integrity concerns, thereby avoiding personal bias and supporting evidence-based claims.

MaxTRAQ™

The ninth edition of Basic Biomechanics can be used with MaxTRAQ™ software (for a small additional price). MaxTRAQ is a downloadable motion analysis software that offers an easy-to-use tool to track data and analyze various motion elected by the ­authors. The MaxTRAQ software includes video clips of golf swing, gait, and other ­motions; 2D manual tracking; coverage of distance and angles; and more!

Visit http://www.motionanalysisproducts.com/Motion_Analysis_Store.html to purchase MaxTRAQ software for use with Basic Biomechanics, 9e.  Each MaxTRAQ access code is unique and not related to any other registration or ID number.  Each code is good for one-time registration and is available by download.