M.S. in Biomechanics Students Participate In International Conference

Two Barry students specializing in biomechanics in the Master of Science in Movement Science program presented their research at the International Symposium of Biomechanics in Sport in Salzburg, Austria this past summer. In addition, former Barry graduate of the same program Dave Fortenbaugh presented along with their major professor Dr. Monique Mokha

A “sport biomechanist” uses the tools of mechanics (physics) to study the anatomical and functional aspects of people in motion to improve performance, and/or reduce the risk of injury. At the conference, students were able to present their work in front of an audience from around the globe, attend lectures and presentations from experts in their field and absorb the cultural diversity of South Eastern Europe.

Nicole Jacobs presented a work in progress entitled, "Do Ankle Stabilizers Influence Dynamic Stability in Persons with Functional Ankle Instability?" She was also co-author of another presentation given at the conference by Dr. Mokha. Nicole is in her last year here at Barry where her thesis will be on skateboarders. She hopes to be among the first in this sport to actually quantify the movements to enhance athletes abilities in this sport. Currently Nicole also teaches a section of our Kinesiology lab on campus.

Kimitake (Kimi) Sato CSCS PES also gave an oral presentation entitled, "Comparison in Force Generation and Time of Foot Contact in Four Different Cutting Angles Between Athletes and Non-Athletes." Kimi is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified performance enhancement specialist. Kimi teaches strength and conditioning classes on campus as well. He is also one of two research associates at Barry University’s Runner’s Clinic where he assists in running biomechanics and prescribes appropriate exercises for each runner. Kimi is in his last semester here at Barry and his thesis will focus on the highly popular area of core training.

David Fortenbaugh presented work from his M.S. thesis at Barry on "Differences in Angular Velocity among Selected Kinematics during a Left-Handed Pitcher’s Pick-off Move." Left-handed pitchers have a natural advantage to concealing their decision to either pitch to a batter or throw a runner out at first base. David’s findings of subtle body mechanic differences may aid baserunners in focusing on what the differences are so they know when to make their move. David is currently working on his PhD at the University of Miami in the Department of Industrial Engineering where he continues to focus on sport biomechanics.

Dr. Monique Mokha presented her paper entitled, "Pre-season Time to Stabilization Measures in Five Collegiate Teams." Dynamic stability is an important component to safe and effective athletic performance. She found that male basketball players had longer stabilization times while female volleyball players had the shortest stabilization times. Dr. Mokha directs the Biomechanics Laboratory here at Barry while teaching in the Athletic Training and Biomechanics programs.