Kinematics of Human Motion Laboratory

Description:
Mechanical analyses of motion can be conducted from a kinetic or kinematic
approach. Kinetics involves the explanation of motion with respect to the variables
causing motion. Kinematics is that branch of mechanics, which describes the
motion of bodies without reference to force or mass. Describing motion in terms of
position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration fall under the category of
kinematics.

Objective:
The purpose of this laboratory experience is to allow the student to collect
and analyze data on him/herself and to understand the meaning of the terms used
to describe the kinematics of human motion. The various kinematic formulas will be
used to determine linear displacements, velocities, and accelerations of an
individual while performing the 60-yard dash.

Data Acquisition:
Each student will run a 60-yard dash as part of the laboratory experiment.
The 60-yard dash will be marked with cones at the following points: 0, 10, 20, 30,
40, 50 and 60 yards. One student will be positioned at each cone as a timer.
Another student will collect the times from the timers. Before each individual runs
the time trial, he/she will give his/her data sheet to the student that will be
recording the times.
On signal, each subject will begin their 60-yard sprint while all timers start
their watches simultaneously. Only when the runner has passed each respective
position (cone) should the timer stop his/her watch. The timer will then tell the
recorder the time the person ran and then clear his/her watch. These procedures
will be repeated for each student in the class.
Record the elapsed times at each cone on the data sheet below.

DATA SHEET FOR 60-YARD DASH TIMES

NAME: Delaney
START 0 SEC
10 YDS 1.99 SEC
20 YDS 3.36 SEC
30 YDS 4.81 SEC
40 YDS 5.82 SEC
50 YDS 7.41 SEC
60 YDS 8.8 SEC
 DATA ANALYSIS:
1. Enter the recorded times in column #3 of the linear kinematics
worksheet provided.
2. Calculate the time intervals between each pair of cones (i.e. 0-30 ft; 30-60
ft, 60-90 ft; etc.) and enter in column #4, Time Interval = tf to.
3. Calculate the average velocity for each time interval in units of ft/sec by
using V = d/t and enter in column #5. The displacement d is found in
column #2 and the time is from column #4. Average velocity is the slope
of the distance-time curve.
4. Calculate the midpoints of the time intervals and enter in column #6. The
midpoints are found by adding one-half of the time interval (column #4)
to the initial time of that interval (to) found in column #3.
5. Calculate average acceleration between successive velocities and enter
into column #7. The velocities and times are from columns #5 and #6,
respectively. Acceleration is the slope of the velocity-time curve.

a=

LINEAR KINEMATICS WORKSHEET

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Cone Location Displacement Recorded Time Time Interval Average Midpoint of Average
(ft) for Interval (ft) (sec) (sec) Velocity Time Interval Acceleration
(ft/sec) (sec) (ft/sec/sec)

0 0 0

30 30 1.99 1.99 15.08 .995

60 30 3.36 1.37 21.90 2.68 4.05

90 30 4.81 1.45 20.69 4.09 -.86

120 30 5.82 1.01 29.70 5.32 7.32

150 30 7.41 1.59 18.87 6.62 -8.33

180 30 8.8 1.39 21.58 8.11 1.82

6. Plot distance-time curve on the kinematics graph. The x-axis is time in

seconds (column #3) and the y-axis is distance from 0 ft to 180 ft (column
#1). Mark each distance/time coordinate and connect them with straight
lines, beginning from 0 seconds.
7. Plot velocity-time curve on the kinematics graph. The x-axis is time in
seconds (column #6) and the y-axis is average velocity in ft/sec (column
#5). Note that each velocity is an average velocity and represents the
velocity at the midpoint for its respective time interval. Mark each
velocity/time coordinate and connect them with straight lines, beginning
with the time for the first average velocity.
Study Questions:
1. Based upon the graphs, analyze your performance in terms of velocity
and acceleration.
Based on the graphs, I did have an ideal performance for displacement
because my displacement graph was linear. I did not have an ideal
performance for velocity. I did not keep a constant velocity
throughout the whole sprint. I accelerated in the beginning and then
leveled off, but then I accelerated again. Right after I accelerated, I
decelerated and then I leveled off. There should have been no
acceleration or deceleration at all.

2. Explain what ideal graphs for a world-class runner would look like for
each graph.
An ideal displacement graph for a world-class runner would gradually
increase, sort of like a wide J or linear. This is because the
displacement should gradually increase as the runner advances. An
ideal velocity graph for a world-class runner would have a constant
velocity with no acceleration. This is because there is no increase of
velocity and there is no acceleration, the runner should be running at
the same speed the whole distance.