Introduction

Many students in the field of kinanthropology ask themselves: what is the use of studying biomechanics? Will biomechanics help us being a better teacher of physical education, a better coach or a better worker in the field of recreology? In this chapter We will present reasons why students of physical education, coaching, and recreology find biomechanics included in their curriculum.

If you are reading this text, you are likely to be a student or a teacher of physical education, a coach, or a specialist in the field of physical exercise. You are also likely to be engaged in sporting or „fitness“ activities. We often hear the following questions:

• Why do I have to do this skill exactly this way?
• Why do I have to use exactly this piece of equipment?
• What is the advantage of this technical execution?
• Why do I have to use exactly this load during strength training?

Good knowledge of biomechanics allows you to evaluate a technique of motions in a sport you never personally did, as well as a new technique in a sport you have been doing for years. Training methods based on the traditional approach always recommend which skills and techniques you should learn but biomechanics answers these questions, too, and many more. With the help of biomechanics it is possible to far better manage the teaching and training processes.

Using the knowledge of biomechanics you can achieve better performance of your charges and teach new skills to your students on a higher level or, as the case may be, in a shorter time.

Also students of sports training, physiotherapy, or sport medicine can use the knowledge of biomechanics in their work.