UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit, students develop an understanding of the biomechanical principles of human movement and how these apply to the lower limb. Students learn the necessary skills to perform measurements of lower limb biomechanical assessments, to apply both critical thinking and evidence based practice to podiatric patient assessment. Students will be able to synthesise their understanding of human movement with clinical findings to implementing appropriate management plan(s) to enhance movement and function of the patient. This unit includes lectures and laboratories where students use text references, online resources, published journal articles, simulated case studies and a group project to develop their understanding of the biomechanical principles as they apply to locomotion and injury prevention.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe the fundamental concepts of biomechanical principles and the application of these to human movement

; (2) demonstrate safe practice in performing biomechanical assessments of the lower limb and foot and explain the rationale for these assessments; (3) analyse the findings of biomechanical assessments and clearly communicate the impact of these findings on human movement, injury prevention and podiatric care

; (4) use evidence based medicine and biomechanical findings to safely and effectively create patient-centered management plans; (5) explain incorporating the patient's perspective, goals and individual biomechanics to improve human performance in physical activities; and (6) discuss the literature on podiatric biomechanics and the diagnosis, detection and management of common biomechanical conditions affecting the lower limb including use of ESM.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignment(s); (2) test(s); (3) professional behaviour assessment; and (4) examination(s). Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the professional behaviour assessment and examination(s) components.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Madison Champion

Unit rules

Prerequisites

(1) a.
96 points credit including completion of all level 2 units in Major of Podiatric health and Medical Sciences Major (MJD-PHMSC).
or b.
Enrolment in

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine 91870.
and (2) students enrolling in this unit via the assured pathway MJD-PHMSC and/or the graduate entry DPM must comply with the requirements of the School's Infection Control, First Aid, Working with Children's check and Police Clearance check requirements prior to the commencement of Level 3 PODI units, as detailed in the DPM course rules.

Co-requisites

PODI3000 Professionalism in Practice (ID 7835).
PODI3116 Clinical Podiatric Practice 2 (ID 7822).
PODI3117 Pharmacotherapeutics for Podiatrists 1 (ID 7823).
PODI3118 Research and Evidence in Practice (ID 7840)

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
(1) Tractograph (estimated cost - $15)
(2) Textbook - Michaud TC. Human locomotion: the conservative management of gait-related disorders. Newton Biomechanics; 2011. (estimated cost - $100).

Contact hours

Approximately 6 hours per week, including lectures 2-3 hours per week and a combination of: seminars, clinical skills workshops, team and case based learning workshops, e-learning sessions, tutorials, and self-directed online learning.

Note

Recommended texts (not compulsory):

Knudson, D. V., & Morrison, C. S. (1997). Qualitative analysis of human movement. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Blazevich, A. J. (2007). Sports biomechanics: The basics. London: A&C Black

Hamill, J. and Knutzen, K. (2009). Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement, 3rd edn: Williams & Wilkins.

Richards, J. (2008). Biomechanics in Clinic and Research: Churchill Livingstone.

Bartlett, R. (1999). Sports Biomechanics: Preventing Injury and Improving Performance: Taylor & Francis.

Peyton, C. and Bartlett, R. (2008). Biomechanical Evaluation of Movement in Sport and Exercise: the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Guidelines. TJ International Ltd.

Hong, Y. and Bartlett, R. (2010). Handbook of Biomechanics and Human Movement Science: Routledge.

Winter, D. A. (1990). Biomechanics of Human Movement, 2nd edn: John Wiley & Son.