The Mathematics of Goniometer Readings

A goniometer is a device which measures joint angles, such as those made repetitively in ballet, dance, PIlates, and yoga. Goniometer readings often appear as sine waves, and can be analyzed as such.

Consider the following graph, excerpted from The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet: Volume 2 from Schottenbauer Publishing:

Discussion Questions

1. What is the initial position of the knee? Is the leg entirely straight?
2. What is the deepest angle of bending at the knee?
3. What is the range of angles contained in the graph?
4. Counting from the bottom of the first trough, what is the amplitude of the oscillation? 
5. Counting from the bottom of the first trough, what is the wavelength of the oscillation? 
6. What is the frequency of the oscillation?
7. How many knee bends are included in the graph?

Additional graphs of goniometer readings are available in the same volume, The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet: Volume 2 from Schottenbauer Publishing. Similar physics data is also available in Volume 2 of several other lab manual series, including The Science of Athletic Training, The Science of Exercise Equipment, The Science of Gymnastics, and more.


Additional Information

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