Biomechanics Commons^™

Single Vs. Whole Muscle Group Assessments: Does The Specific Muscle Influence Its Association With Performance?, Carina M. Velasquez, Kealey J. Wohlgemuth, Mckenzie M. Hare, Kathryn E. Southall, Jacob A. Mota

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 11, 2025. Biometric Muscle size and echo intensity are thought to influence muscle function. Unfortunately, previous works often will examine a single muscle from a group of agonists as a metric of whole muscle performance. This approach may not always be the most appropriate to assess performance outcomes. The purpose of the study was to 1) quantify the association of muscle size and echo intensity with vertical jump performance (VJ), 2) Compare the associations between individual and whole muscle group size and echo intensity, 3) determine whether single or …

Differences In Dieting Behavior In Athletic Trainers, Emily Madrak, Ki L. Cole, Bridget M. Miller, Jennifer L. Volberding

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Introduction: Athletic trainers (ATs) have a foundational knowledge in many facets of health, including optimization of wellness. Though ATs may be actively trying to improve their own health, societal pressure can have a large impact on behavior. The purpose of this study was to identify differences between gender and years-certified in diet patterns in ATs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 2500 National Athletic Training Association members, It included a demographics section and five-item researcher-created questions regarding diet. Chi-square tests of independence were used to determine the relationship. Results: Significance was determined for gender and question 2, “Have …

Comparing Lower Extremity Kinematics Using Trazer And Inertial Motion Capture Systems, Gabriella Juoza-Clark Spt, Joellen Carter Spt, Nikki Stam Spt, Kevin Robinson Pt, Dsc, Ocs

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Introduction: This study assessed the validity of a non-immersive body motion tracking system (TRAZER) as an alternative to using Inertial Measurement Units (IMU)-based motion capture (MyoMotion) for lower extremity kinematic analysis. Methods: Twenty healthy participants (10 females, 10 males) with a mean age of 24.03 years (range: 20-33 years) and a mean BMI of 25.15 kg/m² (range: 18.45-32.23 kg/m²) performed double and single-leg squats. Data Analysis: Kinematic data from TRAZER and MyoMotion IMUs were compared using a mixed two-way ANOVA. Results: No significant differences were observed in knee flexion data across all movements (p > 0.05) and knee abduction during the …

Parameters Of Suspension Training On Core Performance: A Critically Appraised Topic, Sara Stiltner, Andrea Cripps

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Clinical Scenario: The core is a functional unit connecting the upper and lower extremities consisting of abdominal, back, and hip musculature. A highly functional core is essential within the kinetic chain and aids in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Traditional means of core stability training are performed on a stable surface. An emerging mode of core training is suspension training (ST), which utilizes a movement paired with instability to challenge the core stabilizers and increase motor unit recruitment.The purpose of suspension training is to increase muscle activation in core stabilizer’s, while mimicking functional movements.It was the purpose of this research to …

The Impact Of Athletic Retirement On Anxiety In Elite Athletes, A Critically Appraised Topic, Jordan Gorham, Emily Madrak

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Though there is growing interest in athletic mental health, this interest appears to diminish significantly once an athlete enters athletic retirement. The abrupt transition can precipitate mental health struggles, exacerbated by the lack of adequate preparation for lifestyle after retirement and the attachment of athletic identity to their sport. Consequently, these circumstances may increase symptoms associated with poor mental health, with a specific focus on anxiety. As the athlete retires and moves into different stages of life, research notes that athletes with stronger athletic identities have poorer mental health than those who had weaker athletic identity^. While the scrutiny …

Comparing Position Specific Gps Normative Data In Professional Female Club Soccer, Andy Seraphin, Christi Edson, Cory Price, Barrett Jones, Amanda Jagielo, Justin Mullner

Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences: Official Journal of the Ohio Athletic Trainers Association

Objective: To establish normative ranges in common performance tests for professional women’s club soccer. Setting:1^st division professional women’s soccer club in the United States

Participants: Twenty-eight healthy professional women’s soccer players (Age: 27.8 ± 5.1 years; Body Mass: 66.2 ± 6.7 kg). Main Outcome Measures: Season GPS data was analyzed and metrics included minutes, total distance, high speed running, total accelerations, total decelerations, and maximum speed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences between positions. Results: Statistically significant differences were found across all metrics in comparison to overall mean. Differences in each metric may be due to a …

Reliability Of Vertical Jump Force-Time Metrics In Collegiate Athletes Compared To Recreationally Active Individuals, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Robert Smith, Luke Chowning, Tyler Neltner, Quincy R. Johnson, Yang Yang, Thayne A. Munce

Faculty Scholarship

As neuromuscular performance assessment has become a fundamental component of athlete monitoring, ensuring strong measurement reliability is essential for supporting accurate data-driven decision-making. Thus, the purpose of this study was twofold: (i) to examine the reliability of countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) force-time metrics obtained using a portable force plate system (Hawkin Dynamics) and (ii) to determine whether absolute and relative reliability scores differ between well-trained individuals (i.e., athletes) and those less familiar with CMJ force-plate testing (i.e., non-athletes). Seventy-four participants volunteered to take part in this investigation, of whom thirty-nine were NCAA Division-I baseball and track-and-field athletes and thirty-five age-matched …

Chitosan Nanofibrous Dressing Increased Angiogenesis And Anti-Inflammatory Response In An Acute Wound Model In Rats: A Comparative Study, Yury Salkovskiy, Mahboubeh Ghanbari, Carlos P Jara, Sara Cartwright, Pinaki Mondal, Colman Freel, Sayed Ahmadreza Razian, Jason Mactaggart, Mark A. Carlson

Journal Articles

Purpose

Chitosan-based materials are promising for wound healing because of their antibacterial efficacy, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, though their healing mechanisms remain unclear. This study explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms of wound healing with chitosan nanofibrous dressings.

Methods

Thirty-nine Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups based on the type of dressings administered: (1) chitosan nanofibrous dressing + transparent film, (2) commercial scaffold + transparent film, and (3) transparent film alone (control). Full-thickness wounds (2 cm × 2 cm) were created on the dorsum, splinted, and covered with dressings. Evaluations at 7, 14, and 21 days included histological analysis, …

Effect Of Fiber Structure Heterogeneity On The Estimation Of Material Parameters For Cardiac Scar Tissue Mechanics, Desmond Maximilian Flanagan

All ETDs from UAB

Over one million Americans suffer from myocardial infarction (MI) per year. After MI, the heart muscle is replaced by scar, whose mechanical properties play a critical role in outcomes for surviving patients. Previously, Caggiano et al. induced MI in rats, and ex-tracted the scar tissue samples for microscopy and mechanical testing. Building on this, we investigate the effect of incorporating microscopy-derived fiber heterogeneity on the estimation of stress and material parameters. We studied the effect of fiber orientation heterogeneity on the mechanical characteriza-tion of scar tissues using finite element models (FEM) that replicated biaxial tests. We used three constitutive models—Mooney-Rivlin, …

Optimizing Hip And Knee Assistance For Walking And Sit-To-Stand Transitions: An Intrinsic Muscle Mechanics Based Predictive Approach, Neethan Ratnakumar

Dissertations

As the global population ages, the demand for wearable assistive technologies continues to rise, driven by their potential to enhance mobility and independence in older adults. Effectively designed controllers for lower-limb exoskeletons to assist sit-to-stand (STS) and walking are crucial for delivering efficient, safe, and comfortable assistance during daily activities. Traditionally, controller optimization involves biomechanical modeling and user-specific customization. Musculoskeletal simulations play a central role in this process by providing insights into human-exoskeleton interaction dynamics, thereby informing and refining control strategies.

This work presents a simulation-driven approach for developing exoskeleton controllers for walking and STS using two distinct methods: optimal …

The Illusion Of Internal Models In Biological Movement, Madhur Mangalam

Journal Articles

The concept of internal models dominates contemporary theories of sensorimotor control, with researchers across neurosciences, specifically motor control, routinely explaining observed behaviors through computational representations that supposedly exist within the nervous system. In this perspective, I present a critical examination of internal model frameworks in sensorimotor control. I argue that representational approaches mischaracterize biological systems for several fundamental reasons: (1) Internal models require homuncular interpreters, creating infinite regress problems; (2) The purported neural implementations of internal models remain empirically elusive despite decades of research; (3) Biological movement systems exhibit multiscale, nonlinear, and non-Gaussian dynamics that fundamentally defy reduction to conventional …

Cardiac And Coronary Hemodynamics: Using An Integrated Ex-Vivo Beating Heart Experiments And Computational Modeling, Chenghan Cai

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Cardiovascular function arises from the complex interactions among the heart, the arterial system, and the coronary circulation. Questions such as how variations in left ventricular (LV) loading conditions affect LV and aortic functions through LV–aorta interactions; and how coronary artery diseases, such as stenosis, impact cardiac function and myocardial perfusion including left and right coronary perfusion via LV–coronary interactions, remain understudied. To answer these questions, this thesis focuses on two core objectives: (1) investigate the effects of LV loading conditions on LV and aortic functions through LV–aortic interactions by performing ex-vivo beating rat heart experiments, and (2) elucidate the impact …

Effects Of Chronic Marijuana Use On Postural Control During Quiet Standing, Johnathon S. Ashcraft

Master's Theses

Marijuana, Cannabis Sativa, is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States, with more than 60 million people reporting use in 2022 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023). As marijuana consumption has increased, so have questions surrounding its acute and long-term effects. Its acute effects are well documented; however, the long-term effects are not as well understood. It is hypothesized that chronic marijuana users will exhibit a decrease in postural stability during quiet standing when compared to non-users, so the purpose of this study was to compare postural control of chronic marijuana users and non-users in …

Examining The Use Of Two-Dimensional Video Capture And A Pressure Sensing Walkway For Collection Of Obstacle Crossing Measures, Ashlyn M. Jendro

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Obstacle crossing research is crucial for providing insights into how and why people trip and fall. However, a growing body of literature has proposed that laboratory-based studies may not directly translate into real-world settings due to the complex nature beyond the sterile lab. Unfortunately, the absence of real-world obstacle crossing literature is likely due to a lack of available validated methods for collection of data outside the laboratory. This dissertation explored two potential methodologies (i.e., 2D motion capture and a pressure sensing walkway) that are more portable and cost-effective for collecting real-world obstacle crossing measures. It is hypothesized that 2D …

Towards Improving Computational Modeling Of The Lumbar Spine - Impact Of Material Properties And Laminotomy On Spinal Biomechanics, Isaac K. Kumi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Spinal ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical stability of the lumbar spine. These dense, collagenous tissues not only resist excessive motion but also distribute loads between spinal components to protect neural structures. Traditionally, the mechanical response of ligaments has been modeled using linear elastic assumptions, which treat the tissue as having a constant stiffness regardless of loading history. While this simplifies analysis, it fails to capture the time-dependent behaviors, such as creep, stress relaxation, and hysteresis, that are characteristic of biological tissues.

Viscoelastic modeling may provide a more physiologically accurate representation by incorporating both elastic and viscous …

Computational And Experimental Analysis Of Knee Kinematics And Gait Variability: The Effects Of Load, Speed, And Fatigue On Human Motion, Alfirio Trejo Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the biomechanical behavior of the human knee under varying conditions of motion, load, and fatigue, with a focus on clinical angle analysis and gait stability. Four studies were conducted using motion capture data and a modified Grood and Suntay Joint Coordinate System (JCS) to evaluate knee joint kinematics—specifically flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and internal-external rotation. The first study examined the effects of incremental weight loads during isolated knee extension exercises, revealing dose-dependent increases in abduction and internal rotation that may contribute to joint stress. The second study assessed the impact of walking speed and asymmetric loading on gait, showing …

Changes In Co-Activation And Lower Limb Stiffness During Prolonged Load Carriage, Matthew V. Robinett

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Overuse musculoskeletal injuries are a common, costly challenge for the armed services. A stiffer lower limb during routine prolonged load carriage tasks may be necessary to attenuate elevated ground reaction forces but further increases musculoskeletal overuse injury risk. Quantifying leg and joint stiffness provides comprehensive and joint level insight into the attenuation of ground reaction forces, and subsequent injury risk. But, it is currently unknown how prolonged load carriage affects leg, knee and ankle stiffness, and knee and ankle muscular activation. Purpose: This study sought to quantify leg, knee, and ankle stiffness, and the activation and coordination of associated …

Ergonomic And Biomechanical Assessment Of Vertical Ladder Climbing For Exoskeleton Integration In Construction Tasks, Ehsan Shourangiz

LSU Master's Theses

Active exoskeletons are increasingly utilized in physically demanding industries such as construction and manufacturing to reduce strain and lower the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, supporting worker safety and long-term health. However, most existing systems are designed for repetitive tasks like lifting or prolonged standing, with limited consideration for dynamic activities such as vertical ladder climbing. Ladder climbing is common and physically demanding in industrial environments, often required to access elevated areas like scaffolding, tanks, or rooftops. Since exoskeletons are intended to remain worn throughout multiple tasks, requiring workers to remove and re-don the device during ladder climbing would reduce …

A Comparison Of Measured Versus Estimated Metabolic Equivalents (Mets) During The Farmer's Carry And Sled Push Exercises On A Commercially Available Step Mill, Colin Miller, Ethan Remotigue, Shane Hammer, J. Jay Dawes, Taylor K. Dinyer-Mcneely

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 6: Issue 1, Article 8, 2025. The Stairmaster 10G ergometer allows users to perform non-traditional movements such as the sled push and farmer’s carry, which involve substantial upper and lower body contributions. Standard MET calculations for stair stepping do not account for this increase upper-body workload, so there is potential for error when aiming to determine exercise intensity based exclusively on estimated METs. The primary purpose of this study is to compare the metabolic and physiological effects of two training modes on the Stairmaster 10G ergometer, specifically evaluating the accuracy of MET values …

The Myth Of The Bayesian Brain, Madhur Mangalam

Journal Articles

The Bayesian brain hypothesis—the idea that neural systems implement or approximate Bayesian inference—has become a dominant framework in cognitive neuroscience over the past two decades. While mathematically elegant and conceptually unifying, this paper argues that the hypothesis occupies an ambiguous territory between useful metaphor and testable, biologically plausible mechanistic explanation. We critically examine the key claims of the Bayesian brain hypothesis, highlighting issues of unfalsifiability, biological implausibility, and inconsistent empirical support. The framework’s remarkable flexibility in accommodating diverse findings raises concerns about its explanatory power, as models can often be adjusted post hoc to fit virtually any data pattern. We …