PHYSIOTH 1002 - Clinical Biomechanics of Human Movement
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSIOTH 1002 Course Clinical Biomechanics of Human Movement Coordinating Unit Physiotherapy Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 5 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Corequisites PHYSIOTH 1001 Restrictions Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) Assessment Final examination, various assignments and continuous assessment tasks Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Deb Wadham
Course Coordinator: Leigh Rushworth
Phone: +61 8 8313 3690
Email: leigh.rushworth@adelaide.edu.au
Location Level 4, Engineering & Maths Sciences Building
Teaching staff: Ellen O'Callaghan
Email: ellen.o'callaghan@adelaide.edu.au
Location: Level 4, Engineering & Maths Sciences Building
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
Timetable information can be found in the MyUni website for this course. -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Describe basic concepts related to the biomechanical analysis of movement. 2 Apply biomechanical principles to describe the internal and external forces associated with human movement. 3 Identify and describe the biomechanical factors that contribute to efficient human movement. 4 Analyse and describe normal gait patterns using appropriate terminology. 5 Identify gait changes associated with pathology. 6 Perform basic clinical measurements to quantify and analyse human movement. University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2, 3, 4, 6 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
1, 2, 3, 4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
- Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
- Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
- Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
2, 4, 5, 6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Richards, J., Levine, D., & Whittle, M. (Eds). (2012) Whittle’s Gait Analysis, Churchill LivingstoneOnline Learning
All notes, resource manuals and papers for lectures, practicals, tutorial sessions and assessment tasks are available on MyUni as well as lists of suitable readings, online quizzes and links to external websites. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The approach to learning and teaching involves students’ progression through 12 weeks of dedicated coursework. Students will explore the domains of spatiotemporal measures and kinematics of gait, linear and angular kinetics, exercise prescription, balance, gait disorders, and work, energy, and power. Each week will be comprised of a lecture, tutorial, workshop, and online activities.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Workshops: 12 x 2 hours = 24 hours
Tutorials: 12 x 2 hours = 24 hours
Examination: 1 x 2 hours = 2 hours
Preparation for Practical and Tutorial Sessions: 1 hour per session = 24 hours
Preparation for Assessment Tasks = 35 hours
Weekly reading: 1 hour per week = 12 hours
Online modules: 2 hour3 per week = 24 hours
TOTAL = 145 hoursLearning Activities Summary
The following content will be covered within this course:
• Basic anatomy principles• Spatiotemporal measures of gait• Kinematic quantities• Anthropometry• Kinematics of gait• Linear kinetics• Angular kinetics• Kinetics of gait• Muscle activities• Exercise prescription• Work, energy, and power• Gait disorders• Balance• Range of motion• Muscle length• Muscle strength -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
The assessment for Clinical Biomechanics of Human Movement consists of:
Detailed information, including due dates, can be found in the MyUni wesbite for this course.Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome Examination Summative 40% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Assignment Summative 20% 1, 2, 3, 4 Continuous Assessment Formative & Summative 40% 4, 5, 6 Assessment Detail
Examination (40%) – The final examination consists of a written and practical component:
- Students will complete an end-of-semester written examination (20%) covering spatiotemporal measures and kinematics of gait, linear and angular kinetics, exercise prescription, balance, gait disorders, and work, energy, and power.
- Students will complete an end-of-semester practical examination (20%) covering clinical measurements to analyse human movement, including the assessment of range of motion, muscle length, and muscle strength.
Assignment (20%) - Students will complete a group assignment related to the learning activities of the workshop sessions in weeks 4-7. The assignment involves observational, spatiotemporal, and kinematic analysis of a healthy gait, and descriptive pathological gait analysis.
Continuous Assessment (40%) - Continuous assessment tasks will occur frequently throughout scheduled course time and will not require additional preparation time beyond normal expectations. The continuous assessment consists of two parts:- Two online quizzes (10% each)
- A mid-semester practical examination (20%) covering clinical measurements to analyse human movement.
Submission
No information currently available.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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