A single laboratory exercise in introductory physics that includes a bit of calculus, a little programming, some breadboard wiring, and making mathematical connections between motion, net force, and power provides a nice STEM experience for students. If you can add in a biomechanics component you hopefully have something that overall can be an effective and fun learning experience. Several authors have attempted to incorporate their own students’ physical activity when performing laboratories to increase student interest in the physics. What follows is a description of a lab performed recently in our AP Physics course with the goal of measuring the power generated in performing a single bench press.
References
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See for example the following websites: http://eliteform.com/; https://www.nsca.com/education/videos/the-use-of-velocity-based-training-in-sports/; https://assess2perform.com/products/bar-sensei; https://www.zybeksports.com/; http://www.elitesportdevelopment.com/; https://www.freelapusa.com/top-10-power-measurement-tools-in-strength-and-conditioning/.
6.
Arduino Web Editor
, Arduino website, https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software; Vernier, https://www.vernier.com.7.
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Within the Vernier site are details for hardware and software necessary to communicate with the Arduino products
. See, for example, https://www.vernier.com/engineering/arduino/connect/breadboard/.13.
Readers can download the modified code at
TPT Online
, http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.5126821 under the Supplemental tab.14.
D.
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Gwendolyn
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et al., “Maximal power at different percentages of one repetition maximum: Influence of resistance and gender
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).© 2019 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2019
American Association of Physics Teachers
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