Biomechanics | NES | HHS

Graduate Studies in Biomechanics Program

Biomechanics is a field of specialization that integrates the mechanical and biological aspects of living systems. In biomechanics, the methods of engineering are used to quantify and understand how the body moves, how movement is controlled, and the forces acting on biological tissues during movement. Biomechanics comprises an integral part of exercise science, sports medicine, orthopedics, ergonomics, and physical therapy, and a wide variety of career opportunities in research and development exist for biomechanists within academic, clinical, and industrial settings.

The biomechanics program at Oregon State University is structured as one of the complementary subdisciplines comprising Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. The goal of the biomechanics program is to provide students with training and practical experience in the basic tools and methods needed to be successful in researching human movement, whether in clinical, occupational, or sports applications. Coursework in the program therefore encompasses engineering, life sciences, and research methods. The program is very flexible and can be tailored to individual interests.

Research in biomechanics at OSU is primarily focused on clinical and ergonomic applications of biomechanics. Current research projects of the faculty and graduate students include:

factors contributing to falls following a perturbation,
motor adaptations to repeated perturbation exposure,
mathematical models of balance recovery,
injury risk during transfers of people with disabilities on board an aircraft,
spatial requirements for transfers of people with disabilities in an aircraft lavatory,
knee joint kinetics during lateral false-step and cutting maneuvers,
changes in landing technique with age in children.

Recent undergraduate, master's, and doctoral student thesis/dissertation topics have dealt with:

preventing falls from unpredictable balance disturbances (L. Welsh, MS)
forces at the hip during different jumping activities by children (B. Black, MS)
Achilles tendon forces during a round-off back handspring (C. Piazza, BS)
effects of fatigue on stress fracture risk during running (S. Sasimontonkul, PhD)

Collaborative research has also been conducted with researchers at OSU in Sports Medicine, Movement Studies in Disability, the Bone Research Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering, and the National Center for Accessible Transportation. Past research projects have been supported by agencies that include the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institutes of Health. The results have been disseminated though publications and conferences of organizations that include the American and International Societies of Biomechanics, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the American College of Sports Medicine.

Biomechanics Laboratory

The Biomechanics Lab, located on the ground level of the Women's Building, includes an open data collection space with dimensions adequate for a wide variety of activities, including locomotion. Attached are workspaces for data analysis, graduate student offices, and storage. Research equipment includes: a 9-camera optical 3D motion capture/analysis system, 2 force plates, 16-channel telemetered electromyography, a treadmill with force measurement capability, and microcomputers and software to collect and analyze data. A 3D video analysis system also allows data collection outside the laboratory. Strength and balance testing equipment are available for cooperative use with other departmental laboratories that are located in close proximity. Such proximity makes collaboration and sharing of resources a simple matter, and interdisciplinary research is encouraged.

Biomechanics Faculty

Mike Pavol

Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory and primary faculty contact for biomechanics. Research interests are in the biomechanics of falls and fracture prevention in older adults, and in the biomechanics of transfers of people with disabilities. Both experimental and computer modeling approaches are used. Previous research has also included sports and strength measurement applications.

Background

Applicants for graduate study in biomechanics should have a demonstrated aptitude in physics, mathematics (including calculus), and problem solving. The ideal background for an entering graduate student in biomechanics would also include coursework in basic engineering mechanics, computer programming, human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, and motor control.

Few beginning graduate students are proficient across such a wide spectrum. Students may therefore be required to supplement their graduate program with selected undergraduate course work. The specifics of such supplementary course work will be unique to each student and the details would be determined in consultation with the student's major professor


	Limit results to this site.		Health and Human Sciences » Nutrition and Exercise Sciences » Graduate Programs » Biomechanics. Graduate Studies in Biomechanics Program Biomechanics is a field of specialization that integrates the mechanical and biological aspects of living systems. In biomechanics, the methods of engineering are used to quantify and understand how the body moves, how movement is controlled, and the forces acting on biological tissues during movement. Biomechanics comprises an integral part of exercise science, sports medicine, orthopedics, ergonomics, and physical therapy, and a wide variety of career opportunities in research and development exist for biomechanists within academic, clinical, and industrial settings. The biomechanics program at Oregon State University is structured as one of the complementary subdisciplines comprising Nutrition and Exercise Sciences. The goal of the biomechanics program is to provide students with training and practical experience in the basic tools and methods needed to be successful in researching human movement, whether in clinical, occupational, or sports applications. Coursework in the program therefore encompasses engineering, life sciences, and research methods. The program is very flexible and can be tailored to individual interests. Research in biomechanics at OSU is primarily focused on clinical and ergonomic applications of biomechanics. Current research projects of the faculty and graduate students include: factors contributing to falls following a perturbation, motor adaptations to repeated perturbation exposure, mathematical models of balance recovery, injury risk during transfers of people with disabilities on board an aircraft, spatial requirements for transfers of people with disabilities in an aircraft lavatory, knee joint kinetics during lateral false-step and cutting maneuvers, changes in landing technique with age in children. Recent undergraduate, master's, and doctoral student thesis/dissertation topics have dealt with: preventing falls from unpredictable balance disturbances (L. Welsh, MS) forces at the hip during different jumping activities by children (B. Black, MS) Achilles tendon forces during a round-off back handspring (C. Piazza, BS) effects of fatigue on stress fracture risk during running (S. Sasimontonkul, PhD) Collaborative research has also been conducted with researchers at OSU in Sports Medicine, Movement Studies in Disability, the Bone Research Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering, and the National Center for Accessible Transportation. Past research projects have been supported by agencies that include the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institutes of Health. The results have been disseminated though publications and conferences of organizations that include the American and International Societies of Biomechanics, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the American College of Sports Medicine. Biomechanics Laboratory The Biomechanics Lab, located on the ground level of the Women's Building, includes an open data collection space with dimensions adequate for a wide variety of activities, including locomotion. Attached are workspaces for data analysis, graduate student offices, and storage. Research equipment includes: a 9-camera optical 3D motion capture/analysis system, 2 force plates, 16-channel telemetered electromyography, a treadmill with force measurement capability, and microcomputers and software to collect and analyze data. A 3D video analysis system also allows data collection outside the laboratory. Strength and balance testing equipment are available for cooperative use with other departmental laboratories that are located in close proximity. Such proximity makes collaboration and sharing of resources a simple matter, and interdisciplinary research is encouraged. Biomechanics Faculty Mike Pavol Director of the Biomechanics Laboratory and primary faculty contact for biomechanics. Research interests are in the biomechanics of falls and fracture prevention in older adults, and in the biomechanics of transfers of people with disabilities. Both experimental and computer modeling approaches are used. Previous research has also included sports and strength measurement applications. Background Applicants for graduate study in biomechanics should have a demonstrated aptitude in physics, mathematics (including calculus), and problem solving. The ideal background for an entering graduate student in biomechanics would also include coursework in basic engineering mechanics, computer programming, human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, and motor control. Few beginning graduate students are proficient across such a wide spectrum. Students may therefore be required to supplement their graduate program with selected undergraduate course work. The specifics of such supplementary course work will be unique to each student and the details would be determined in consultation with the student's major professor