Biomechanics Lab

Photo of Professor Srikant Vallabhajosula in the Biomechanics Lab

The Biomechanics laboratory in the Francis Center is a THRIVING space on Elon campus. It is an 1828 sq. ft. space that is used actively for research and teaching purposes. It hosts state-of-the-art equipment to help analyze human postural control and movement including but not limited to walking, running, and jumping.

The laboratory is a shared teaching and research space for Departments of Physical Therapy Education, Exercise Science, Performing Arts and Athletics! Several graduate students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program and undergraduate students from Exercise Science, Dance Science, Psychology and Accelerated Pathways programs have conducted research in the Biomechanics laboratory and presented their results at the SHS Global Engagement and Research Forum, Spring Undergraduate Research Forum and several reputed scientific conferences like the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM), Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society Annual Conference and several others. These presentations have also yielded several publications in leading journals of the field like Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, Gait and Posture, Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy etc. The lab has also hosted work funded by external grant agencies like Parkinson’s Foundation, LSVT Global and Lung Cancer Initiative. To date, more than 50 student-led presentations and more than 15 publications have resulted from the work done in the Biomechanics lab.

Populations that have been studied in the lab include but not limited to children, athletes, postpartum women, healthy young and older adults, older adults at fall-risk, cancer survivors, individuals with Parkinson’s disease, individuals with multiple sclerosis, individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease etc. Sky is the limit!

If you are looking to gain research experience or get involved with the research in the laboratory, you can contact Dr. Gytis Balilionis.