Master’s in Biomechanics & Human Performance Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in biomechanics and human performance engineering: 12 modules covering mechanics of human movement, biological tissues, motion capture, dynamometry, surface EMG, inverse dynamics and modelling, gait and running, sports technique, exercise physiology, data analysis and injury prevention, with ISB and SENIAM recommendations and Vicon Nexus, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply the principles of mechanics to the analysis of human movement.
Plan and run motion capture and dynamometry sessions.
Record and process surface electromyography signals.
Build musculoskeletal models and perform inverse dynamics.
Assess sports technique and propose performance improvements.
Analyse biomechanical data statistically with reproducible tools.
Design injury prevention and return-to-sport protocols.
Who it's for
- Sports biomechanists working with athletes and clubs.
- Performance analysts in high-performance sport.
- Movement science researchers.
- Biomechanics laboratory engineers.
- Injury prevention specialists.
- Sports footwear development engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter high-performance sport.
What you'll work with
- ISB recommendations on joint coordinate systems (International Society of Biomechanics conventions)
- SENIAM recommendations for surface EMG (sensor placement and signal processing)
- WMA Declaration of Helsinki (ethical principles for research involving human subjects)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) (protection of personal data)
- ISO 7250-1 (basic human body measurements)
- Law 14/2007 on Biomedical Research (Spanish biomedical research framework)
- Vicon Nexus
- OpenSim
- Visual3D
- MATLAB
- Python with SPM1D
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Linear and angular kinematics of the body1.2Newtonian dynamics of body segments1.3Rigid body models and anthropometry1.4Dempster's segmental inertial parameters1.5Mechanical work, energy and power1.6Anatomical reference planes and axes1.7Lever laws in the musculoskeletal system1.8ISB units and conventions1.9Dimensional analysis and allometric scaling1.10Practical: calculating segmental centre of mass
2.1Mechanical properties of cortical and trabecular bone2.2Viscoelasticity of tendons and ligaments2.3Articular cartilage and lubrication2.4Skeletal muscle mechanics2.5Force–length and force–velocity relationships2.6Tissue adaptation and Wolff's law2.7Overuse injury mechanisms2.8Tensile testing of soft tissues2.9Mechanical properties of fascia2.10Lab: stress–strain curve of a tendon
3.1Marker-based optoelectronic systems3.2Plug-in Gait and CAST marker protocols3.3Calibration and capture volume3.4Markerless capture with computer vision3.5IMU inertial units and sensor fusion3.6Trajectory filtering and Butterworth filters3.7Soft tissue artefact errors3.8Validity and reliability of measurements3.9Definition of joint coordinate systems3.10Lab: capture session with Vicon
4.1Force platforms and centre of pressure4.2Instrumented pressure insoles4.3Ergometers and instrumented cycle ergometry4.4Load cells and calibration4.5Ground reaction forces in walking and running4.6Vertical stiffness and the spring–mass model4.7Synchronisation of forces and kinematics4.8Jump analysis and rate of force development4.9Isokinetic dynamometry and joint moments4.10Practical: analysis of a countermovement jump
5.1Physiology of the myoelectric signal5.2Electrode placement according to SENIAM5.3Amplification, filtering and rectification5.4Normalisation to maximum voluntary contraction5.5Frequency analysis and muscle fatigue5.6Activation and co-activation patterns5.7Synchronisation with kinematic data5.8EMG limitations and interference5.9Mechanomyography and muscle ultrasound5.10Lab: EMG during a squat
6.1Segmental Newton–Euler equations6.2Joint moments and powers6.3Musculoskeletal models in OpenSim6.4Scaling models to the subject6.5Inverse kinematics and optimisation6.6Estimation of muscle forces6.7Joint contact forces6.8Validation with experimental data6.9Motor control models and synergies6.10Practical: inverse dynamics of gait in OpenSim
7.1Gait cycle and spatiotemporal parameters7.2Foot rocker mechanisms7.3Running economy and energy cost7.4Foot strike patterns in running7.5Effect of sports footwear7.6Asymmetries and variability7.7Pathological gait and compensations7.8Treadmill versus overground analysis7.9Running analysis with inertial sensors7.10Case study: biomechanical report on a runner
8.1Deterministic performance models8.2Biomechanics of throwing and striking8.3Technique in swimming and cycling8.4Kinetic chain and energy transfer8.5High-speed video analysis8.6Biomechanical feedback in training8.7Force–velocity and power profile8.8Monitoring of external load8.9Biomechanics of team sports8.10Case study: technical optimisation of a sprint
9.1Energy metabolism and thresholds9.2Oxygen uptake and cardiopulmonary exercise testing9.3Heart rate and heart rate variability9.4Lactate and training zones9.5Neuromuscular fatigue and recovery9.6Thermoregulation during exercise9.7Interaction between physiology and mechanics9.8Acute and chronic load models9.9Infrared thermography in sport9.10Practical: incremental test with gas analysis
10.1Python programming for biomechanics10.2The C3D format and data management10.3Time series analysis10.4SPM1D statistical parametric mapping10.5Repeated measures statistics10.6Machine learning in biomechanics10.7Visualisation of movement data10.8Reproducibility and open science10.9Public gait databases10.10Lab: gait analysis pipeline in Python
11.1Biomechanical risk factors for injury11.2Anterior cruciate ligament injury11.3Functional return-to-sport tests11.4Movement screening and its validity11.5Training load and injury11.6Ethics and data protection for athletes11.7Communication with coaches and clinicians11.8Footwear, orthoses and external aids11.9Biomechanics of hamstring injury11.10Case study: return-to-sport protocol after ACL injury
12.1Research question and state of the art12.2Experimental design and sample size12.3Ethical approval and consent12.4Capture and measurement protocol12.5Data processing and modelling12.6Statistical analysis of results12.7Discussion and application to performance12.8Writing in journal article format12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it is compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Vicon Nexus, OpenSim, Visual3D, MATLAB and Python with SPM1D, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for laboratory motion capture sessions, jump tests and force platform dynamometry, and sports technique analysis with high-speed video. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: ISB recommendations on joint coordinate systems, SENIAM recommendations for surface EMG, WMA Declaration of Helsinki, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR), ISO 7250-1, Law 14/2007 on Biomedical Research.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Vicon Nexus, OpenSim, Visual3D, MATLAB and Python with SPM1D, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme's software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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