Unit description
Enhances and develops student's theoretical and practical knowledge in the in the field of lower limb biomechanics.
Unit content
1. Biomechanical principles
- Kinematic and Kinetic concepts
- Clinical measurement tools of foot posture in podiatric practice
- Evidence base for assessing foot posture in podiatric practice
2. Assessment of the spine, hip and knee
- Locomotion, clinical gait analysis and analysis of dynamic movements
- Fundamental descriptions of gait cycle
- Terminology of gait
- Neurophysiological basis of gait
- Development of gait (childhood to old age)
3. Assessment of the foot and ankle
- Locomotion, clinical gait analysis and analysis of dynamic movements
- Fundamental descriptions of gait cycle
- Terminology of gait
- Neurophysiological basis of gait
- Development of gait (childhood to old age)
4. Root theory
- Historical perspective
- Normal versus ‘abnormal’ foot structure
- Pathomechanics
5. Tissue Stress Model & SALRE Theory
- Tissue properties and their relationship to gait
- The response of connective tissues to normal and abnormal gait
6. Electromyography and muscle activation
- The response of muscles to normal and abnormal gait
7. Sagittal Plane Theory
- Underlying principles
- Assessment
- Compensatory mechanisms
- Orthotic protocols
8. 2D and 3D analysis of gait and mobility
- Digital photography
- Video photography and video based software
- Treadmill analysis
- Plantar pressure systems
- In-shoe pressure systems
- Goniometry
- Force platforms
9. Pathomechanics
- Pathological gait
- Neurological considerations
- Structural considerations
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
Learning outcomes and graduate attributes
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | demonstrate knowledge of the kinematic and kinetic concepts | Creativity | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 2 | demonstrate knowledge of the mechanics of both normal and abnormal foot structure and function | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
| 3 | apply the techniques necessary for biomechanical observation and gait analysis | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 4 | apply contemporary theories to conduct, record and evaluate biomechanical examination of the lower limb | Intellectual rigour | Creativity | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||
| 5 | explain the relationship between biomechanical disorders and clinical manifestations in practice | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
Prescribed texts
Session 1
- Kirtley, C, 2006, Clinical Gait Analysis: Theory and Practice, Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
- Neumann, DA, 2009, Kinesiology of the Musculoskeletal System , Elsevier.
Teaching and assessment
Gold Coast
| Teaching method |
| Lecture on-site 2 hours (12 weeks) |
| Tutorial on-site 2 hours (12 weeks) |
| Assessment | |
| Exam: practical | 20% |
| Report | 40% |
| Exam: closed book | 40% |
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2015 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2
Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees
International
Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.