The Fourier transform is at the heart of many engineering disciplines, including human movement biomechanics. The major focus of this chapter is to introduce concepts related to the discrete Fourier transform. In biomechanics, human movement is captured as analog signals and evaluated usually as digital signals. Linear and angular kinematics, kinetics, and electromyographic data should be treated like any other digital signal. The Fourier transform is the alpha and the omega in biomechanical data collection and digital signal processing. Students of biomechanics must understand the basic concepts of digital processing in order to be responsible users of commercial equipment and software.
Review by Paul H. King, Vanderbilt University, December 14, 2020 – IEEE Pulse
