Biomechanics Commons^™

Advances In Bone And Orthopedics 2025 – 5th Edition, Jean-Philippe Berteau, Laurent Pujo-Menjouet, Hélène Follet, Aurélie Levillain

Publications and Research

This volume brings together selected works from the 2025 Bone and Orthopedics Interdisciplinary Symposium (BONITOS), underscoring our community’s ongoing commitment to advancing research in biomechanics, bone health, and orthopedic science. The symposium unites leading experts from around the world, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas across disciplines. Organized in partnership with the French-speaking Society of Biomechanics, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), the University of Lyon, the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York (CUNY), and the American Association of Physical Therapists (APTA) – Brooklyn Staten Island Chapter, BONITOS 2025 represents …

Smart Glove Pitch Type Discrepancy Detection Algorithm For Youth And Collegiate Baseball Pitchers, Ethan B. Hemmerlin

Master's Theses

Pitch tipping refers to unintentional variations in a pitcher’s motion that reveal the pitch type, often due to inconsistent arm speed when throwing off-speed pitches like changeups. This issue is common in youth players with underdeveloped mechanics and makes it easier for batters to predict pitches. Wearable sensors, such as Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), provide a non-invasive way to quantify these subtle motion discrepancies. This study analyzed linear acceleration data from a glove arm IMU for 14 pitchers, evenly split between high school-aged (13-15 years) and college-aged (18-23 years) groups. The aim was to examine the linear accelerations of the …

Gamified Gait Rehabilitation Via Real-Time Biofeedback And Adaptive Hip-Exoskeleton Control, Mariya Huzaifa Tohfafarosh

Theses

Gait impairments arise from systemic diseases, age-related degeneration, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, or neurological conditions. While traditional rehabilitation can be effective, they often face challenges such as high costs, inaccessibility, and low patient engagement. To address these challenges, my work introduces a virtual reality-based rehabilitation (VRBR) system, integrating real-time motion and electromyographic (EMG) muscle activation feedback with a gamified virtual environment for enhanced adaptability and engagement. The system includes a custom-designed hip-exoskeleton that provides adaptive spring-like assistance or resistance, supporting both mobility-impaired users and strength training. Assistance levels can be tuned to match the user's progress. Additionally, a custom pressure insole was …

An Aquatic Treadmill Alters Lower Limb Walking Dynamics In Typically Developing Children And Children With Cerebral Palsy, Oluwaseye P. Odanye, Joseph Harrington, Aaron Likens, David Kingston, Brian Knarr

Journal Articles

This block-randomized crossover study investigated how a speed-modulated aquatic treadmill (AT) impacts the walking biomechanics of pediatric gait. Eight cerebral palsy (CP) and fifteen typically developing (TD) children walked at normal, slow, and fast treadmill speeds in AT and dry treadmill (DT) conditions. The joint angles of participants were calculated from inertial measurement units to derive sample entropy (SE) measures that quantified the regularity or complexity of motion. A hierarchical statistical model revealed that the CP group had lower SE values for the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the AT and at slower than faster treadmill speeds. Only the …

Biomechanics Of Softball Pitching And The Relationship Between Functional Field Tests And Pitching Performance, Joshua Spencer Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Over 2 million people in the United States play softball alone, yet softball literature in exercise science and biomechanics is still sparse. Research that exists for softball pitching has focused on injury mechanisms and prevention, with a small portion of the literature reporting on performance. Studies have reported evidence suggesting that vertical ground reaction forces of the stride leg are related to pitch velocity. However, no studies have investigated the role of the stride leg during the initial launch phase of the pitch. Research has investigated kinematics such as pelvic and thoracic rotation during the pitch, but no research has …

A Description Of Mental Health Policies In Ohio Secondary Schools, Laura L. Harris, Molly Rowe

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

OBJECTIVE To compare secondary school mental health policies implemented for the student body with those implemented for student athletes.

Athletic Trainers Confidence In Evaluating And Treating Emergent Conditions, Andrea Cripps, Jenny Toonstra, Sara Stiltner

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

OBJECTIVE The profession of Athletic Training (AT) has undergone a substantial educational overhaul in the last decade, adding more advanced knowledge and skills than ever before. With more than 50% of the profession having obtained their certification more than 10 years prior,¹ it is essential that we understand the varying levels of confidence in evaluating and managing these new skills, so that appropriate continuing education opportunities can be developed to bridge any gaps that may be identified. The purpose of this study to examine self-reported confidence in evaluating and managing acute care skills.

Sternocleidomastoid Syndrome In A Collegiate Basketball Athlete: A Case Study, Sara Stiltner, Rob Whitehurst, Eric Avers

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

BACKGROUND
20-year-old male basketball athlete with recurring upper and lower extremity instability injuries presented fall 2021 with shoulder and ankle instability. A past medical history of thermal capsulorrhaphy from high school with surgical intervention May 2021 (college first year). October 2021 athlete began experiencing rotator cuff strains in both shoulders. November 2021, December 2021, January 2022 athlete experiences recurrent right ankle sprains. Each ankle sprain resulted in two weeks of lost participation, followed by one week of active participation. The third ankle sprain associated with increased swelling and pain over medial ankle. Upon referral and MRI a deltoid ligament sprain …

Causes Of Athletic Trainer Attrition: A Critically Appraised Topic, Mckenna E. Tuttle, Klevione D. Brown, Elizabeth A. Starns

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

Athletic Training (AT) attrition has been a persistent issue within the profession for years^1,2. By identifying the factors contributing to the attrition rates among Athletic Trainers, targeted interventions can be developed to mitigate turnover and decrease attrition within the profession.

Kinematic Analysis Of Lower Extremity Movement Patterns During Functional Tests In Collegiate Track And Field Runners To Predict Injury Incidence, Maddie Hoyt, Brooke Parker, Bailey Weise, Andrew Busch

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

OBJECTIVE
Lower extremity overuse injuries are becoming increasingly more prevalent in endurance-based running sports^1,2,3,4,5,6. These injuries negatively impact an athlete’s sports performance and increase the risk of additional injuries^3,4. The purpose of this study was to first examine kinematic and kinetic variables within distance runners and compare those with previous lower extremity injuries to those without reported injuries; and second to understand if such variables predicted future injuries sustained throughout a track season.

Injury Epidemiology In Collegiate Marching Band, Morgan Davis, Jinghzen Yang, Matthew Brancaleone

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

OBJECTIVE
Marching bands have become more popular and physically demanding, with performers taking up to 16,174 steps on game days, which may increase their risk of musculoskeletal injuries. However, research on these performers remains limited. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of reported injury and pain and soreness experienced by marching artists within a collegiate marching band.

Atypical Anterior Tibial Stress Fracture Leading To Acute Fracture And Intermedullary Rodding, Emily Mulkey Swisher, Chad Cochran, Raymond Duffett

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

OBJECTIVE
This case highlights an unusual stress fracture progressing to an acute tibial fracture requiring intermedullary rodding.

The Athletic Trainer's Responsibility In Disability Exercise Adherence, Elizabeth Starns, Stephanie M. Kubiak, Rebecca J. Wehler

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

OBJECTIVE
This study examined exercise adherence to aerobic and strength training exercise guidelines in individuals with disabilities, highlighting the implications for athletic training (AT). Because disabilities impact over 25% of the U.S. population¹, an understanding of the varied exercise adherence patterns can inform inclusive AT best practices and assist in promoting exercise and sport participation.

Emergency Action Planning In Collegiate Athletics: An Evaluation Of The Current Adoption Of Best Practice Recommendations, Kyler Conn, Ken Blood, Genna Fusco

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

OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to assess the current adoption of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) best practice recommendations regarding emergency planning, outlined in the NATA Position Statement: Emergency Planning in Athletics, at the collegiate level.

Effect Of Hearing Status On Modified Balance Error Scoring System Performance, Matthew Brancaleone, Claire Akard, Jaclyn Caccese

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

OBJECTIVE
Concussion assessments typically include evaluations of self-reported symptoms, neurocognitive function, and postural control. Specifically, postural control is often assessed using the modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS). Although normative mBESS data exist, they may not be appropriate for all athletes, such as those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HoH). Given the relationship between the cochlea and the vestibular system, athletes who are D/HoH may exhibit differences in postural control due to potential vestibular dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare mBESS performance between athletes who are D/HoH and athletes who are hearing.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax In A Male High School Wrestler, Laura Breese, Sara Stiltner

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

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND
A pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space, it is a life threatening condition and can be classified as spontaneous, acquired, or by pathophysiology. (1)(2) This specific case presents the incident of a spontaneous pneumothorax in an adolescent population.

Effects Of Altered Somatosensory Input On Gait Kinetics And Kinematics Via Different Footwear In Individuals With Chronic Post-Stroke Hemiparesis, Daniela Casillas, Lesley Ruiz

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Purpose/Hypothesis: Individuals with post-stroke hemiparesis walk with significant asymmetries, leading to slow, effortful walking, and a high risk of falls. One contributing factor is altered sensation on the plantar surface. Studies examining altered somatosensory input via insoles, vibration and other tactile stimuli observed improvements in hemiparesis gait. This study investigates whether altering somatosensory input through different footwear can affect kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity during walking post-stroke. We hypothesized the barefoot conditions would have increased dorsiflexion (heel-strike, swing), increased plantarflexion during toe-off, increased muscle activity and kinetics, compared to memory foam conditions.

Participants: 13 individuals with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis (4F/9M, …

Core Temperature While Swimming In Warm Open Water With And Without A Wetsuit, Katsiaryna Afanasyeva

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Triathlon is a popular sport which attract participants from all over the world. In general, triathlon is a safe sport with risk of death being about 1.74 deaths per 100,000 participants (Harris et al., 2017). The swimming portion of the race can be dangerous, posing particular risks due to open water conditions and the physical demands of the event. This study investigated the effects of wetsuit use on core temperature in warm open-water swimming (27.9–28.3°C). Four experienced triathletes (2 males, 2 females; age 49.50 ± 7.83 years) completed two 700-meter open-water swims at a submaximal pace—once wearing their personal full-sleeve …

Torque Efficacy Of Cadmus Bracket Design Using Clear Aligners, Joseph Soderberg

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Introduction: Clear aligner therapy (CAT) is an alternative option for clinicians to use for orthodontic treatment as opposed to fixed appliances. Many patients prefer clear aligner therapy due to its esthetic looks, removability, ease of oral hygiene, and comfort. Clear aligner companies boast to clinicians that it can be used more efficiently and effectively than fixed appliances in many orthodontic cases. Although these claims have been made, there is a lack of evidence to prove that clear aligner therapy is more efficient or effective. This research will focus on torque control. This project is designed around a new, pre-manufactured attachment …

The Influence Of Intrinsic Foot Muscles In Modulating Foot Shape Relative To Substrate And The Efficacy Of Different Strengthening Approaches, Luke R. Lotsis

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Cross-sloped surfaces create an asymmetrical substrate for foot contact, introducing a slip force within the transverse plane and a gravitational pull within the coronal plane that increases the tendency to topple downslope. To maintain stability, the foot must make structural adjustments across the hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and hallux. In chapter 1, I investigated how IFMs respond to varying substrate conditions and balance demands, providing insight into their functional role in maintaining stability and adapting foot structure in static and dynamic locomotor tasks. Twenty-four healthy adults participated in a series of dynamic walking trials on flat, cross-sloped and sandy substrates and …