Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #biomechanics
Most recents (24)
Exoskeletons in construction:
Nice article posted to the Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin website & co-written by Prof. Zhenhua Zhu from UW-Madison & Mariya Sorenson, a construction manager with M.A. Mortenson.
They highlight 3 potential broad impacts of exos:
Nice article posted to the Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin website & co-written by Prof. Zhenhua Zhu from UW-Madison & Mariya Sorenson, a construction manager with M.A. Mortenson.
They highlight 3 potential broad impacts of exos:
1. Improving worker safety & fostering a better safety culture in the construction industry.
Exoskeletons can reduce fatigue, muscle strain & wear-and-tear injuries, which could lead to substantial cost savings.
Exoskeletons can reduce fatigue, muscle strain & wear-and-tear injuries, which could lead to substantial cost savings.
2. Alleviating the shortage of skilled construction workers.
Exoskeletons could help extend careers & attract candidates who might otherwise be deterred by physically demanding jobs.
Exoskeletons could help extend careers & attract candidates who might otherwise be deterred by physically demanding jobs.
🚀 5 years ago, I stumbled—somewhat unexpectedly—into the world of tech translation, commercialization & startups. It's been a wild & enriching adventure!
👨🏾🔬 As a scientist-turned-entrepreneur, this journey opened my eyes to the business world.
But...
👨🏾🔬 As a scientist-turned-entrepreneur, this journey opened my eyes to the business world.
But...
😡 Amidst all the positive learning & growth, there's one thing that truly gets under my skin: misleading marketing & unsubstantiated claims.
😬 Brace yourself: The wearable & assistive tech industry (think #exoskeletons, #prosthetics, sensors) is still plagued by this problem! Whether it's in clinical, occupational, sport, or recreational applications, we need to address it head-on.
Now...
Now...
Fortunate to teach 2 #biomechanics courses this semester: 1 for @Hope_Engineers & 1 for @HopeKinesiology. This week, I taught gait kinematics with the @Hope_Engineers & they made passive dynamic walkers. Forgot to get videos, so I’m posting this old one instead.
I taught fundamental #biomechanics in the @HopeKinesiology course. We applied the concepts to concussions in sports & read review papers. We had a panel discussion- students were “experts” on different subtopics they read about in the papers- helmet design, testing methods, etc.
For lab today, they made helmets and protective gear for eggs, based on the panel discussion & the review papers we read…and then did an egg drop. They are learning & having fun. I’ll call this a successful 1st week of classes. 🤩
Where do your research ideas originate from?
I used to source all of mine from academic literature & conferences, or from my own research.
But these can become echo chambers that limit thinking & creativity.
🔥 Here are 4 overlooked places to find impactful research problems:
I used to source all of mine from academic literature & conferences, or from my own research.
But these can become echo chambers that limit thinking & creativity.
🔥 Here are 4 overlooked places to find impactful research problems:
1️⃣ Your own life
• This is why I started studying low back #biomechanics
• I was a parent to young kids & experiencing back pain
• I was curious if we could create more practical exoskeletons that'd fit into my own life
It started as an undergrad project then grew into more:
• This is why I started studying low back #biomechanics
• I was a parent to young kids & experiencing back pain
• I was curious if we could create more practical exoskeletons that'd fit into my own life
It started as an undergrad project then grew into more:
2️⃣ Spending time w/ users
• In academia we often talk about this
• But we tend to involve users too late in R&D
• And I'm not convinced we spend enough time doing it
Hearing pain points directly from #prosthetics users is what prompted the daily activities we now study:
• In academia we often talk about this
• But we tend to involve users too late in R&D
• And I'm not convinced we spend enough time doing it
Hearing pain points directly from #prosthetics users is what prompted the daily activities we now study:
@BU_BMC_Rheum Abs 1912 @profdeepakkumar
❓Is altered facilitatory and inhibitory nociceptive functioning is related to lower physical activity in people with knee OA?
#ACR22
❓Is altered facilitatory and inhibitory nociceptive functioning is related to lower physical activity in people with knee OA?
#ACR22
Science is the foundation, but user feedback is the north star:
• to know what to prioritize
• to learn where to improve
• to remember why you sweat all the science details
This is a vital lesson for those doing applied research whose feedback is mostly from other scientists
• to know what to prioritize
• to learn where to improve
• to remember why you sweat all the science details
This is a vital lesson for those doing applied research whose feedback is mostly from other scientists
The combination of #biomechanics science and user-centric design is beginning to have the real-world impact the occupational #exoskeleton field long hypothesized it would.
End-users explain this best:
End-users explain this best:
“When you show you care about people, that retains people,” one warehouse worker who piloted a back exosuit said. “Everybody in here, we’re all sore. We’re all hurting. But for the first time in a long time I won’t be hurting walking out of this building [because of the exosuit]”
I wish I learned this tip earlier in my career:
👉🏽 If you do R&D on wearable or assistive tech, wear/use prototypes regularly in your daily life. It helps empathize with end users. And improves your ability to design and test for usability & practicality.
Here's why (brief 🧵)
👉🏽 If you do R&D on wearable or assistive tech, wear/use prototypes regularly in your daily life. It helps empathize with end users. And improves your ability to design and test for usability & practicality.
Here's why (brief 🧵)
1. It builds your intuition.
In retrospect, this tip seems obvious. But most researchers & developers don't do it. It took me >10 years of biomedical R&D to realize it.
Once I did, it transformed how I evaluate and develop new #exoskeletons, #prosthetics, #bionics & #wearables
In retrospect, this tip seems obvious. But most researchers & developers don't do it. It took me >10 years of biomedical R&D to realize it.
Once I did, it transformed how I evaluate and develop new #exoskeletons, #prosthetics, #bionics & #wearables
2. It provides clarity.
You'll notice design constraints you never knew existed. You'll think more deeply about user experience. And you'll create better lab and field evaluations more quickly.
It helps preempt fatal flaws before you start any serious design or testing work.
You'll notice design constraints you never knew existed. You'll think more deeply about user experience. And you'll create better lab and field evaluations more quickly.
It helps preempt fatal flaws before you start any serious design or testing work.
This week, I enjoyed visiting the vibrant, creative, & interdisciplinary researchers in @jointbme @CLEAR_NCSU_UNC.
I gave a seminar on lessons from translational #biomechanics R&D.
I shared 6 actionable tips to improve iterative, user-centric development in academic labs: 🧵
I gave a seminar on lessons from translational #biomechanics R&D.
I shared 6 actionable tips to improve iterative, user-centric development in academic labs: 🧵
@jointbme @CLEAR_NCSU_UNC 1. Spend more time with users
• Get to know users deeply
• Don't focus conversations on your research/tech
• Give time for users to discuss their life & pain points
Use info to build user stories that complement technical requirements, & help prioritize studies or features
• Get to know users deeply
• Don't focus conversations on your research/tech
• Give time for users to discuss their life & pain points
Use info to build user stories that complement technical requirements, & help prioritize studies or features
@jointbme @CLEAR_NCSU_UNC 2. Perform early user testing
• Most academics involve users too late
• People often feel they need a good prototype
• But this is a missed opportunity
There are lots of ways to test with and learn from users before you have a complete prototype or formal study protocol.
• Most academics involve users too late
• People often feel they need a good prototype
• But this is a missed opportunity
There are lots of ways to test with and learn from users before you have a complete prototype or formal study protocol.
Want to improve your scientific presentations?
Every great seminar and conference speaker I've seen in my 15 years as an academic researcher did these 10 things. These can 10x your research visibility and impact. And this will unleash new opportunities. 🔥🚀
Let's dive in:
Every great seminar and conference speaker I've seen in my 15 years as an academic researcher did these 10 things. These can 10x your research visibility and impact. And this will unleash new opportunities. 🔥🚀
Let's dive in:
1. Start with something engaging
• Funny story
• Personal anecdote
• Interesting statistic (that the audience doesn't know)
The first thing you say determines whether the audience will be leaning in to listen or picking up their phone to check email. Act accordingly #SciComm
• Funny story
• Personal anecdote
• Interesting statistic (that the audience doesn't know)
The first thing you say determines whether the audience will be leaning in to listen or picking up their phone to check email. Act accordingly #SciComm
2. Explain the significance
• What's the broader impact on your field?
• What's the future impact on society?
• Why should anyone care?
It doesn't matter if you're presenting to experts in your field or a broad audience. Succinctly and clearly explain why your work matters.
• What's the broader impact on your field?
• What's the future impact on society?
• Why should anyone care?
It doesn't matter if you're presenting to experts in your field or a broad audience. Succinctly and clearly explain why your work matters.
Patents & the patent process are rarely discussed in #biomechanics & #engineering fields of academia (at least in my experience). But they should be.
At @CREATEatVandy we held a roundtable discussion on patents/IP, fueled by great questions from students, postdocs & staff.
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At @CREATEatVandy we held a roundtable discussion on patents/IP, fueled by great questions from students, postdocs & staff.
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I encourage other researchers to organize a similar event. Intellectual property (IP) is an important topic, but a common blindspot for university graduates (BS, MS, PhD), which leads to misperceptions & missed opportunities for translating science & tech into societal impact.
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How we did it: Prof. Michael Goldfarb (wearable tech pioneer) & I led a 90-minute discussion. We provided a brief overview of #patents, but mostly we just addressed/discussed questions from trainees & staff. You could also bring in university tech transfer office if helpful.
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#writingtherapy Balm of Gilead.
#suvivorTOUGH
#STEMtoo @debs41968646
Readers:
These letters I post, to my abuser & enablers, are personal, raw & purient. I am sorry.
I'm attempting to forge a new process for #meToo justice.
My disclosures are intended to motivate via #SHAME.
#suvivorTOUGH
#STEMtoo @debs41968646
Readers:
These letters I post, to my abuser & enablers, are personal, raw & purient. I am sorry.
I'm attempting to forge a new process for #meToo justice.
My disclosures are intended to motivate via #SHAME.
Occupational #wearables for monitoring low back load have potential to improve ergonomic assessments & enable personalized, continuous monitoring of overexertion injury risk in the workplace.
#biomechanics #ergonomics
Encouraged by what we discovered:
mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/2…
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#biomechanics #ergonomics
Encouraged by what we discovered:
mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/2…
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We wanted to know: if we can only use a small number of wearable sensors to monitor low back loading, then which sensors should we use, where should we place them, what type of algorithm should we employ, & how accurately can we monitor back loading during material handling?
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To address this we synchronously collected data from the #biomechanics lab & from #wearables to analyze 10 individuals each performing 400 different material handling tasks. We explored dozens of candidate solutions that used IMUs on various body locations & pressure insoles.
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Four years ago @leonscottmd asked if we could use #wearables to monitor & eventually reduce bone stress injury risks in runners. Based on our latest #biomechanics study I'm more & more convinced answer is going to be: Yes!
What we figured out so far:
authors.elsevier.com/c/1byHRcBxf01UA
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What we figured out so far:
authors.elsevier.com/c/1byHRcBxf01UA
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Here's a few things to discuss...
#1 what causes overuse injuries like stress fractures?
#2 how do current wearables assess injury risk?
#3 benefits of multi-sensor algorithms
#4 epidemiological evidence from occupational health suggests this approach can work
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#1 what causes overuse injuries like stress fractures?
#2 how do current wearables assess injury risk?
#3 benefits of multi-sensor algorithms
#4 epidemiological evidence from occupational health suggests this approach can work
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#1 What causes stress fractures (& other overuse injuries)?
Converging, multidisciplinary evidence indicates overuse injuries are consistent with a mechanical fatigue failure process, in which tissues accumulate microdamage due to repetitive loading. (Fig from Edwards 2018)
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Converging, multidisciplinary evidence indicates overuse injuries are consistent with a mechanical fatigue failure process, in which tissues accumulate microdamage due to repetitive loading. (Fig from Edwards 2018)
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Excited to share our new #biomechanics publication on the effect of low-profile elastic #exosuits on back muscle fatigue. #exoskeleton #exosuit
nature.com/articles/s4159…
Challenging experiment, but we learned a lot in the process. Here are the top 4 lessons I took away....
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nature.com/articles/s4159…
Challenging experiment, but we learned a lot in the process. Here are the top 4 lessons I took away....
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First, huge kudos to lead author @lamers_erik who completed his PhD last month!
During his time @CREATEatVandy he completed a series of studies on quasi-passive wearable assistive devices spanning from foot prostheses to back-assist exosuits
Super proud of the work he did!
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During his time @CREATEatVandy he completed a series of studies on quasi-passive wearable assistive devices spanning from foot prostheses to back-assist exosuits
Super proud of the work he did!
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Next some background: When I talk to scientists they often want to know how much exosuits reduce muscle activity, or joint torque, or metabolic rate, or about the optimal assistance levels, specific design features, etc.
And I love this technical aspect of research, but...
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And I love this technical aspect of research, but...
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New 800+ runner study:
"the beneficial effect of greater shoe cushioning on injury risk in the present cohort is not associated with attenuated VIPF & VILR. These GRF metrics may be inappropriate markers of the shoe cushioning-injury risk relationship"
tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10…
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"the beneficial effect of greater shoe cushioning on injury risk in the present cohort is not associated with attenuated VIPF & VILR. These GRF metrics may be inappropriate markers of the shoe cushioning-injury risk relationship"
tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.10…
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If a part INSIDE our car engine kept wearing out, we wouldn't measure pressure UNDER the tires to troubleshoot.
If muscles/bones/tendons INSIDE our body get injured due to overuse, then we shouldn't expect force UNDER our feet to be the key to understanding/resolving either.
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If muscles/bones/tendons INSIDE our body get injured due to overuse, then we shouldn't expect force UNDER our feet to be the key to understanding/resolving either.
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In college I was a triple jumper & bruised my heel (fat pad). GRF (the force under my heel) would have made sense to monitor, & blame. I'm all for GRF when it's justified. IMO it often doesn't seem to be.
As #biomechanics field we must go deeper.
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
3/3
As #biomechanics field we must go deeper.
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
3/3
Happy to share @pennmotionlab latest paper + 1st collab with @kgSilbernagel and @UDtendongroup. We calculated #achilles tendon #biomechanics over a range of #rehabilitation exercises to rank progressive loading...
journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Full…
journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Full…
We calculates 3 aspects of loading biomechanics 1) peak load, 2) impulse, and 3) loading rate. We think peak load is most important in healing tendon so we gave that the strongest scaling factor, then impulse, then rate...
But you might think Achilles loading parameters should be weighted differently. So we made an app for that... a macro in excel actually. So you can calculate the loading rankings based on your own intuition...
One of my new favorite videos
In lab we prove feasibility. Exos reduce EMG, fatigue, etc.
In realworld we learn true value & get insights like:
"Normally I'd put it [saw] on my knee. Which hurts my knee. Now I don't have to. I go like that [use #exosuit] without hurting"
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In lab we prove feasibility. Exos reduce EMG, fatigue, etc.
In realworld we learn true value & get insights like:
"Normally I'd put it [saw] on my knee. Which hurts my knee. Now I don't have to. I go like that [use #exosuit] without hurting"
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Has anyone had success designing lab #biomechanics experiments that enable us to get at these kinds of insights earlier in R&D?
Often there's tension btw highly-controlled experiments (academia loves) vs. open-ended/realistic tests (industry prefers).
Ideas? Suggestions?
2/2
Often there's tension btw highly-controlled experiments (academia loves) vs. open-ended/realistic tests (industry prefers).
Ideas? Suggestions?
2/2
Thanks for all the great @BiomechanicsDay posts, videos & memories shared this week! Refreshing, energizing & inspiring! @CREATEatVandy & I posted on a few social media sites. Compiling here into #NBD2020 ode to #biomechanics! What biomech is to us...
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#Biomechanics is about improving lives. Improving mobility & independence for those w/ disabilities. Preventing injury & sustaining health in others.
We aim to advance understanding of how people move, & translate science/engineering out of the lab.
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engineering.vanderbilt.edu/create/
We aim to advance understanding of how people move, & translate science/engineering out of the lab.
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engineering.vanderbilt.edu/create/
#Biomechanics is studying human movement and musculoskeletal loading to inform how we design #wearables, #exoskeletons and #exosuits to support and protect manual material handlers and other workers in physically demanding jobs.
@EmilyMatijevich @lamers_erik @volgy
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@EmilyMatijevich @lamers_erik @volgy
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So @aaron_s_fox jumped the gate on me :) w/ a thread on the #ACL #injury & #AFLW #sport #womanprobs conversation & he did a great job but I'd like my perspective to come in that special 'tone' I may be known for in presentations... My first twitter thread! Expect sarcasm and gifs
1st, I posted my perspective on #injury #women #athlete #development #biomechanics in another tweet, if you missed it, short editorial: bit.ly/3a5Al1x & presentation bit.ly/32hbogF Read those after this thread of fun, I hope the GIFs help you "hear" my tone :)
I’ve seen a bit about #ACL #injury and #menstrualcycles including news stories about organisations ready to study the menstrual cycle and #training - Let me give you some basic information to help you #factcheck before you start #cheering or #praising
Excited to share our #preprint entitled "Achieving drastically improved estimates of tibial bone force and damage during running using wearable sensors." Questions, comments & feedback welcomed.
osf.io/preprints/spor…
@EmilyMatijevich @leonscottmd
#wearables #biomechanics
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osf.io/preprints/spor…
@EmilyMatijevich @leonscottmd
#wearables #biomechanics
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@EmilyMatijevich @leonscottmd This is a follow up to our 2019 paper which raised concerns that common GRF, impact, load rate, acceleration & tibial shock metrics are often being misused & misinterpreted in scientific studies & commercial #wearables that seek to track injury risk.
journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
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journals.plos.org/plosone/articl…
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@EmilyMatijevich @leonscottmd Here we share progress on using wearable sensors signals (from IMU + pressure insole), multi-sensor algorithms, physics-based #musculoskeletal modeling & machine learning to more accurately monitor tibial load, & expected bone microdamage due to this loading. #biomechanics
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One of the most common questions I hear is: could occupational #exoskeletons cause muscle atrophy/loss? Interestingly I’ve never heard anyone ask: when workers develop overuse injuries (& miss work for days, end up immobilized for weeks, or leave) does it cause muscle atrophy?
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I’m far more concerned about the latter scenario, which we know occurs regularly. Based on current scientific evidence, given the modest unloading provided by most #exoskeletons & #exosuits, & given the strenuous jobs done by industrial users, atrophy seems unlikely (imho).
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Relevant excerpt from Krogh-Maden et al. in the Journal of Applied Physiology:
“...most literature suggests that reduced muscle loading must be drastic, such as limb immobilization or bed rest, to observe muscle atrophy."
physiology.org/doi/full/10.11…
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“...most literature suggests that reduced muscle loading must be drastic, such as limb immobilization or bed rest, to observe muscle atrophy."
physiology.org/doi/full/10.11…
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1/ Working on a little show and tell for my students next week looking at #bone strength, #biomechanics and the power of the cylinder.
#AnatEd #MedEd
Before we begin, anyone want to place bets on how much weight one piece of paper can support?
#AnatEd #MedEd
Before we begin, anyone want to place bets on how much weight one piece of paper can support?
2/ Step 1: Take an ordinary A4 sheet of blank 80gsm printer paper and a few bits of sellotape*.
(*other brands are available)
Step 2: roll slightly over one turn and affic with said tape.
(*other brands are available)
Step 2: roll slightly over one turn and affic with said tape.
3/ Step 3: Begin carefully applying loads to the superior aspect of the cylinder. #unnaturalcauses @GRRMspeaking
New #prosthetics publication that came out during @ISB_ASB2019 characterizes how individual prosthesis user gait biomechanics were affected by the next-generation @OssurCorp Propriofoot (ankle adaptation to slope) during incline walking. 1/n
sciencedirect.com/science/articl…
sciencedirect.com/science/articl…
@ISB_ASB2019 @OssurCorp Previous studies on similar microprocessor-controlled ankles have focused on group-level results (inter-subject mean). Our study builds upon this by presenting subject-specific results and investigating to what extent individual responses agree with the group-level results. 2/n
@ISB_ASB2019 @OssurCorp The ProprioFoot increased minimum toe clearance for all subjects. Despite the ankle behaving similarly for each user, we observed marked differences in individual responses, e.g., intersubject differences in landing patterns, center of pressure (COP) knee angles and moments. 3/n
The latest chapter in our quest to create assistive #exoskeletons #exosuits #mechanizedclothing that can integrate seamlessly into daily life & be concealed under everyday clothing. 1/n #ExoskeletonsForEveryone
@MatthewYandell @Joshuatacca @ExoskeletonRep
ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/86673…
@MatthewYandell @Joshuatacca @ExoskeletonRep
ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/86673…
We were inspired by the assistive ankle exoskeleton made by @gregory_sawicki & @StevenHCollins. We loved that it was lightweight & unpowered. But we really wanted a version that could be inconspicuous, both audibly & visually (fit under pants without protruding elements). 2/n
To accomplish this we invented a new under-the-foot friction clutch mechanism that is low-profile (5 mm tall), quiet & unmotorized. It uses the person's own body weight for the clutching function, enabling it to operate across various gait speeds, for walking & also running. 3/n
