NATICK, Mass. (April 11, 2016) -- High school students from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, toured the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine on April 7 as part of National Biomechanics Day.
The tour allowed students to learn how USARIEM's Military Performance Division researchers use biomechanics to improve performance and prevent injury in Soldiers.
"Many kids are unaware that the field of biomechanics exists," said Dr. Rebecca Fellin, a biomedical engineer from MPD. "By celebrating National Biomechanics Day, we can get the message out that you can use science and math in sports, performance and exercise, as well as injury research."
National Biomechanics Day is a nationwide event organized by the American Society of Biomechanics that aims to advance biomechanics science and education by increasing awareness and appreciation of the field. This year, about 80 biomechanics labs throughout the United States participated in the event by demonstrating biomechanics in its many forms to high school students and teachers.
During the day, Fellin, Dr. Joseph Seay, an MPD biomechanics researcher, and Dr. John Ramsay, from the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center biomechanics group, led the students through three experiments. Students explored how researchers used biomechanics in jumping, landing and muscle sensor experiments. Three Soldiers, Sgt. Stephen Mason, Sgt. Czarina Rodriguez and Spc. Jiyo Torres, assisted the researchers with the experiments.
"I am hoping the students will be able to see that not only is science fun, but you can also answer important questions by studying how people move, especially in terms of injury and performance," Fellin said.
USARIEM's mission is to optimize warfighter health and performance through medical research.
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