Injury Prevention & Mobility Biomechanics

Our research seeks to develop improved techniques for preventing disability and injury, especially in elderly individuals. Laboratory projects are aimed at either enhancing our understanding of risk factors for injury and mobility impairment, or developing and testing novel interventions. Most projects combine experimental measures of human movement dynamics with computer-based modeling efforts.

One focus of the lab is understanding how neuromuscular and behavioral variables affect postural stability and mobility. For example, we are determining how strength, flexibility, and reaction time affect one's ability to recover balance by sway or stepping. We are also developing techniques to determine whether age-related changes occur in the accuracy of self-perceived motor capacities (“capacity awareness”), and in the portion of those capacities one utilizes during daily activities (“capacity utilization”).

Another focus of the laboratory is the prevention of fall-related bone fractures (especially hip fractures and wrist fractures in the elderly). Here, we are examining the cause of age-related changes in fall protective responses (e.g., use of the hands to brake the fall), with the aim of developing exercise-based therapies for fracture prevention. We are also continuing to examine the role of energy-absorbing floors and hip padding devices in reducing impact forces and injury risk during falls.

 

Selected Publications:

Robinovitch, S,.N., Inkster , L., Maurer, J., and Warnick, B.: Strategies for avoiding hip impact during unexpected sideways falls. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 18: 1267-73, 2003.

Robinovitch, S.N., Heller, B., Liu, A., and Cortez, J.: Effect of strength and speed of torque development on balance recovery with the ankle strategy. Journal of Neurophysiology, 88: 613-620, 2002.

Hsiao, E.T. and Robinovitch, S.N.: Body configuration at step contact associates with elderly subjects' ability to recover balance by stepping during a backward fall. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, 56A: M42-M47, 2001.

Sandler, R. and Robinovitch, S.N.: An analysis of the effect of lower extremity strength on impact severity during backward falls. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 123(6): 590-598, 2001.

Robinovitch, S.N., Hsiao, E.T., Sandler, R., Cortez, J., Liu, Q.: Prevention of falls and fall-related fractures through biomechanics. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 28: 74-79, 2000.

Robinovitch, S.N., and Cronin, T.: Perception of postural limits in elderly nursing home and day-care participants. Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, 54A: B124-B130, 1999.

Chiu, J. and Robinovitch, S.N.: Impact response of the human body during falls on the outstretched hand. Journal of Biomechanics, 31(2): 1169-1176, 1998.