ABSTRACT
Much of sports biomechanics is concerned with the study and evaluation of sports techniques-how sporting skills are performed. Obviously a physical and anatomical description and consideration of such techniques is vital. However, in order to be able to compare the observed technique with others it is necessary to quantify important characteristics of the technique. This requires mathematical analysis. The increased development of computer control of the main data collection equipment in sports biomechanics has increased the importance of mathematics. Fortunately, it has also lessened the need for repetitive and tedious calculations. For these reasons, an understanding of the mathematical concepts that underpin biomechanics is essential. These include aspects of calculus and vector algebra. This chapter introduces these concepts and, where necessary, basic mathematical equations, but does not include extensive mathematical development of the topics covered.
