Blog 1: Biomechanics of Athletes Explained.
Part 1: What is Biomechanics & Why It Matters
Welcome to the first blog of our new series on The Biomechanics of Athletes!
Ever wonder why some athletes can run marathons without injury while others can't make it through a 5K? Or why your friend can deadlift heavy weight with perfect form while your back hurts just watching?
The answer is biomechanics — the science of how your body moves.
Understanding biomechanics isn't just for physical therapists and coaches. It's for anyone who wants to move better, perform better, and stay injury-free. Over the next five parts, Dr. Keirstyn of Endurance Therapeutics will break down the essentials of how your body works, why movement matters, and how to apply this knowledge to your training and sport.
Let's start with the basics…
What is Biomechanics?
Simple definition: Biomechanics is the study of how forces affect the body during movement.
Every time you run, jump, lift, throw, or even sit, your body experiences forces. How well your body handles those forces determines whether you perform efficiently or break down with injury.
Think of it this way: Your body is like a machine. When all the parts work together smoothly, the machine runs efficiently. When one part isn't working right, the whole system compensates — and eventually something breaks.
Why Biomechanics Matters for Athletes
1. Injury Prevention
Most sports injuries aren't random bad luck. They're the result of poor movement patterns repeated thousands of times.
Examples:
Runner with knee pain: Often caused by hip weakness forcing the knee to compensate
Volleyball player with shoulder pain: Usually from poor scapular mechanics during hitting
Cyclist with lower back pain: Frequently due to limited hip mobility forcing the spine to move excessively
Understanding biomechanics helps identify these faulty patterns before they cause injury.
2. Performance Enhancement
Better movement = better performance.
When your body moves efficiently:
You use less energy for the same output
You generate more power
You move faster with less effort
You recover quicker between efforts
Example: Two runners at the same fitness level. One has efficient biomechanics (smooth stride, minimal wasted motion). The other has poor mechanics (overstriding, excessive vertical bounce). The efficient runner will always perform better and tire slower.
3. Longevity in Sport
Athletes with good biomechanics can train and compete for decades. Those with poor mechanics break down early.
The difference: Understanding how your body should move and training it to move that way consistently.
Real-World Example: The Running Stride
Let's look at running — one of the most biomechanically analyzed movements.
Good Running Biomechanics:
Foot lands under the body (not way out in front)
Knee slightly bent on landing (absorbs impact)
Hips extend fully during push-off (generates power)
Arms swing naturally (counterbalance leg movement)
Minimal vertical bounce (energy moves forward, not up)
Good posture keeping your body straight and over your feet
Poor Running Biomechanics:
Overstriding (foot lands far in front of body)
Stiff-legged landing (impact goes straight to joints)
Limited hip extension (short, inefficient stride)
Excessive arm crossing (wastes energy)
High vertical bounce (energy wasted moving up instead of forward)
The Result: The runner with good mechanics can handle higher mileage with less injury risk. The runner with poor mechanics breaks down — usually at the knee, hip, or shin.
Common Misconceptions About Biomechanics
Myth 1: "There's one perfect way to move."
Truth: Biomechanics has principles, not absolutes. Individual anatomy (bone structure, limb length, flexibility) creates variation in "optimal" movement. The goal is efficient movement for YOUR body, not copying someone else.
Myth 2: "If it doesn't hurt, my mechanics are fine."
Truth: Poor mechanics often don't hurt immediately. They create small stresses that accumulate over time, eventually causing injury. By the time it hurts, the problem has been building for weeks or months.
Myth 3: "I've always moved this way, so it must be right for me."
Truth: Compensation patterns develop from previous injuries, lifestyle habits (sitting all day), or lack of training. Just because you've always moved a certain way doesn't mean it's optimal — or sustainable.
The Foundation: Three Biomechanical Principles
1. Efficiency
Efficient movement accomplishes the task with minimal wasted energy. Your body naturally seeks efficiency, but poor habits or weaknesses can override this.
2. Force Distribution
Forces should spread across multiple joints and tissues. When one area takes too much force (because another area isn't working), injury follows.
3. Stability + Mobility
Some joints need stability (core, shoulder blade). Others need mobility (hips, thoracic spine, ankles). Getting this balance right is critical.
How Understanding Biomechanics Changes Your Training
Once you understand how your body should move, you can:
Identify Your Weak Links:
Which joints are too stiff?
Which muscles are too weak?
Where are you compensating?
Train Smarter:
Focus on movements that transfer to your sport
Address weaknesses before they cause injury
Choose exercises based on what your body needs, not just what's trendy
Self-Assess:
Film yourself and look for obvious faults
Notice asymmetries (one side tighter or weaker than the other)
Recognize when fatigue changes your mechanics
Kinda sounds like having a super power having this knowledge right?
How Dr. Keirstyn Can Help
At Endurance Therapeutics, Dr. Keirstyn works with athletes of all levels to optimize movement and prevent injury. Through movement assessments and education, she helps you understand your unique biomechanics and what your body needs to perform at its best.
Whether you're dealing with pain, wanting to improve performance, or simply curious about how your body moves, biomechanical assessment provides the roadmap for training smarter and staying healthy longer.
Book an assessment to identify your movement patterns, address compensations, and build a plan tailored to your body and sport.
What's Next
In Part 2, we'll dive into the kinetic chain — how your body works as a connected system and why pain in one area often comes from dysfunction somewhere else. Understanding the kinetic chain is the key to solving mysterious aches and pains.
📍 Endurance Therapeutics | Oakville, Ontario
📞 905-288-7161