Students from the ABSS Career and Technical Education Center learned about the role of biomechanics in understanding and improving human performance on April 11, 2018. Presentations and activities about balance, running, throwing, and jumping showcased biomechanics as an emerging science.
Elon University joined the global biomechanics community on Wednesday, April 11, to host its third Biomechanics Day celebration. Produced by Exercise Science and Physical Therapy Education departments, the event drew more than 40 local high school students.
Broadly, biomechanics is the study of life using the tools of physics or mechanics. This general definition is often applied to the study of human movement and in understanding how injury can affect movement performance.
Stations were designed to demonstrate throwing, running, jumping, and balance as well as the associated technologies used to study and assess these activities.
Faculty members Sue Chinworth, Shefali Christopher, Joyce Davis, Srikant Vallabhajosula and Matthew Wittstein from the Exercise Science and Physical Therapy Education departments organized this event for the third year and provided clinical and research expertise to help guide the discussion. Several student volunteers also helped guide discussion and demonstrate how specific equipment is used in biomechanics.
National Biomechanics Day is a worldwide celebration of biomechanics in its many forms for high school students and teachers. The American Society of Biomechanics started National Biomechanics Day as an educational outreach to enhance the awareness of a cutting-edge science and promote its education prior to the collegiate level.
This annual event will continue to serve the community by providing an engaged opportunity to learn about biomechanics.