Biomechanics Lab

Students working in a research laboratory

About the Lab

The mission of the laboratory is to:

1) Educate students on the methods used in biomechanics research and to provide them with resources for conducting exceptional biomechanics research;
2) discover knowledge that pertains to neuromusculoskeletal performance and rehabilitation; and
3) develop evidence-based practices relating to injury prevention as well as the rehabilitation of movement and postural dysfunctions in persons with disability.

 

History

The USU Biomechanics Laboratory can be rooted back to the mid 1980’s when Steve Dunn began using a dedicated space in the HPER building to teach basic hands-on concepts related to biomechanics. By the early 1990’s Julianne Abendroth-Smith became the director of the laboratory and, with her appointment, basic kinetic and kinematic equipment were acquired. Dr. Eadric Bressel became the director in 2001 and has since advanced the laboratory to function as a multi-purpose space for educating students and conducting research into the sport and clinical biomechanics of human movement.  

In 2012, Dennis Dolny envisioned moving the Biomechanics Laboratory to the SCCE, which had a grand opening on May 3rd, 2018. The Biomechanics Laboratory is currently located on the 1st floor of the SCCE and is housed within the Dennis G. Dolny Human Movement Research Clinic. In the SCCE, the Biomechanics Laboratory is comprised of an aquatic suite providing access to an aquatic treadmill and a shared Motion Analysis Laboratory providing access to an instrumented over ground treadmill in addition to other relevant research technologies. The Biomechanics Laboratory is further supported by the Neuromechanics Laboratory, which provides access to an optical motion capture system.


Research Opportunities

Students working in the Biomechanics Laboratory will have the opportunity to be involved in projects that focus on relationships between anatomical structures, mechanics, and injuries and how they pertain to the rehabilitation of persons with disability. Currently, there are excellent opportunities to get involved with research focusing on aquatic-based exercise and rehabilitation across a variety of applications such as spinal cord injury, stroke, obesity, low back pain, osteoarthritis, and strength / conditioning. In addition, there are opportunities to get involved with research focusing on the sensorimotor and neuromuscular contributions to the performance of agile movement in sport and clinical populations.

Current Projects

Partner Involvement in an Aquatic Intervention for Lower Limb Pain


This project has been approved by the USU IRB and is being conducted in collaboration with several researchers from the USU College of Education and Human Services. The project is focused on evaluating the effects of partner involvement in aquatic exercise on lower limb pain, relationship dynamics, and overall well-being.

Comparative Effects of Eccentric-Driven Exercise on Measures of Muscle Function when Combined with Aquatic Plyometric Exercise


This project has been approved by the USU IRB and is being conducted in collaboration with Dr. Brennan Thompson, Director of the KHS Neuromuscular Research Laboratory. The project is focused on examining the efficacy of a combined eccentric strength training and aquatic plyometric training exercise regimen for improving functional measures of human movement performance.

Contributions of Vision to Neuromotor Control and Biomechanics of Depth Jumping


This project is currently under review by the USU IRB and is focused on evaluating the acute effects of stroboscopic vision on the neuromotor control and biomechanics of jumping and landing.

Labs and Facilities

Biomechanics Facilities

HPER Building

Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER)

There are three laboratory spaces that support biomechanics research at USU. The Neuromechanics Laboratory, directed by Dr. Chris Dakin, is located in the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) Building and occupies about 3,000 square feet of space. This laboratory features a three-dimensional (3-D) Vicon optical motion capture system, Bertec and AMTI force platforms, high speed Bassler video cameras, several electromyography (EMG) systems (Delsys, Cometa, and Neurolog), PCB accelerometers, electrogoniometers, a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, a FSA seat pressure system, eye tracking and virtual reality technologies, and many software programs such as Acknowledge, Polygon, Visual 3D, Matlab, Netforce, BioAnalysis, Labview, and EMGworks.

SCCE Building

Sorenson Center for Clinical Excellence (SCCE)

The Motion Analysis Laboratory is located in the newly constructed Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence (SCCE) building and occupies about 800 square feet of space. This laboratory is a shared space dedicated to clinical research and features an imbedded force-sensing treadmill (AMTI Mobius), APDM and IMeasureU inertial measurement units (IMUs), and various equipment for physical rehabilitation.

Aquatic Research Lab

Sorenson Center for Clinical Excellence (SCCE)

The Aquatic Research Laboratory is also located in the SCCE building and occupies about 800 square feet of space. This laboratory is dedicated to research involving aquatic-based exercise and rehabilitation and features an 8’x12’ underwater treadmill manufactured by HydroWorx (Model 2000). The underwater treadmill features a variable depth floor, water jet resistance, and a five camera underwater motion monitor system. This laboratory also features a waterproof force platform (AMTI), a metabolic cart (ParvoMedics), and flow meter for measure water current velocity.

Lab Facility

    

HPER Biomechanics Teaching Lab

    

    

Involvement

If you are interested in getting involved, contact Dr. Louder. Please note that availability within the lab is determined by the needs of the current projects. Visit the Research Opportunities page for this lab to learn more.

Talin Louder

Talin Louder

Assistant Professor

Kinesiology and Health Science

Office Location: SCCE 489