Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in salamanders that allows them to jump with minimal push-off force. This 'hip-twist jump' creates a high amount of elastic energy, enabling the animals to propel themselves upwards.
A study by Brown University researchers found that lighter non-wood bats did not launch the ball at significantly higher speeds than wood bats, particularly for younger players. The study's results suggest that coordinated rules for bat performance in youth baseball are needed to ensure player safety and enjoyment.
Peter Barrance, a senior research scientist at Kessler Foundation, received the 2013 Clinical Biomechanics Award for his study on tibiofemoral contact location changes associated with lateral heel wedging. The study used weight-bearing MRI and was funded by NIDRR.
Studies of gorilla teeth reveal an evolutionary trade-off between food processing efficiency and tooth durability. As teeth wear, functionality diminishes but contact areas increase to distribute forces.
Research found that cushioned heel trainers alter an adolescent runner's biomechanics and diminish performance by promoting a heel-strike pattern. In contrast, runners with track flats and barefoot had a forefoot or mid-foot strike pattern.
Researchers found that pea aphids can land upright on their feet, using passive rotation to right themselves during free fall. The insects' ability to adapt to extreme situations has been studied in detail and published in Current Biology.
A recent British study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science may revolutionize the way healthcare professionals assess glaucoma risk. The study used a new method to measure intraocular pressure, correcting for corneal biomechanics, and found accurate measurements of eye pressure with improved accuracy.
Researchers analyzed golf swings of 10 professionals and 5 amateurs, finding consistent rotational-biomechanic elements among pros. Key findings include highly consistent peak X-factor and free moment, essential to power generation in professional golfers.
Researchers found that adolescent great whites struggle with capturing and killing large marine mammals due to their weak jaws. However, they can maintain high bite forces using a unique jaw muscle arrangement, a trait common among successful predators.
Thay Q. Lee will receive $1.4 million to support his research on the biomechanics of flexing and kneeling in veterans with total knee arthroplasty. His work aims to improve quality of life for injured veterans and others.
Researchers investigate how our bodies function, including why we chew food to create a firm blob for safe swallowing. Fingerprints are also examined, with tests suggesting they may aid grip and skin flexibility, but the true purpose remains unknown.
A study simulated car crashes involving pregnant women, aiming to improve safety in the automotive industry. The research aims to better understand how crash forces specifically affect pregnant women and their developing babies.
Human performance experts Peter Weyand and Matthew Bundle conclude that Oscar Pistorius' artificial lower limbs provide a significant competitive advantage in sprint running. The blades allow him to reposition his limbs 15% more rapidly, reducing muscle forces required for sprinting by less than half.
The Virginia Tech Center for Injury Biomechanics received the Army Modeling and Simulation Award for developing the Facial and Ocular Countermeasures Safety (FOCUS) headform, a state-of-the-art test dummy capable of measuring impact loads to the face and eyes.
The Journal of Dental Biomechanics will cover tissue and material biomechanics, with a focus on hard and soft tissue analysis. The journal aims to provide a platform for researchers to share vital research and developments in dental biomechanics.
The study utilizes biomechanics to improve understanding of heritable heart disorders and prevent children's spinal injuries. New materials and treatments are also discovered to aid in surgical implants development.
A study by Wageningen University found that weight and a saddle induce an overall extension of the horse's back, contributing to soft tissue injuries. The researchers hope to generate guidelines for riding techniques and maximum weight limits to prevent such problems.
Studies investigate shoulder pain, seat position impact, ACSM target heart rate guidelines, wheel camber effects, Smart Wheelchair Component System, portable ramps, self-efficacy in amputations, and neuroprosthesis technology for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Francisco Valero-Cuevas is awarded a research grant to study the biomechanics of the human thumb, aiming to improve surgical procedures for hand injuries. He will use cadaver hands and a dynamometer to measure the force of the thumb in various directions.