Newton’s Second Law in Sports Science and Biomechanics: Bridging Physics and Human Performance

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

Newton’s second law (F=ma) is a fundamental principle of classical mechanics, forming the basis for understanding motion and force in both theoretical and applied sciences. In recent years, its relevance has expanded into fields such as sports science and biomechanics, where accurate force modeling is essential for performance enhancement and injury prevention. This study aims to explore how Newton’s second law is applied within these domains, highlighting its role in improving athletic training, motion analysis, and safety protocols. A systematic review of twelve peer-reviewed articles from Web of Science and PubMed was conducted, with studies selected through clear inclusion and exclusion criteria. The literature reveals that applying F=ma enables detailed biomechanical modeling, helping to quantify ground reaction forces, evaluate acceleration during resistance training, and assess impact forces during athletic activities. Notably, pneumatic resistance training was associated with increased acceleration and power output, while traditional free-weight training improved maximal force generation. The principle also contributes to safety improvements, such as minimizing head acceleration in soccer and refining impact assessments with deformable objects. Despite these advances, challenges remain in force measurement due to limitations in mass estimation and equipment calibration. Overall, the findings underscore the critical role of physics-based approaches in biomechanics and support the integration of cross-disciplinary education to optimize performance and safety in sports settings.