As a leading manufacturer of data acquisition systems and sensors for injury biomechanics testing, DTS is proud to sponsor National Biomechanics Day on April 7, 2021. It is exciting that National Biomechanics Day has now “Gone International” with universities, laboratories and high schools from around the world participating in what has become a global day of science and inspiration.

Over the last 30 years, DTS test and measurement solutions have been a critical component in a variety of important biomechanics testing, including the development of the U.S. Army WIAMan Blast Manikin (officially known as the Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin). The ‘human response’ of WIAMan is based on extensive biomechanics and cadaveric research done in partnership with top universities throughout the country. Each university focused on key injury areas primarily in the lower extremities like the spine, pelvis and feet to create predictable under-body blast UBB patterns. The data also allowed the team to develop a Finite Element Model, an extenstive software-based injury library, in addition to validated analysis techniques.  

According to the National Biomechanics Day (NBD) event organizers, biomechanics investigates the broad expanse of biology in the physical world and it makes substantial contributions to basic biology, medicine and health, human and animal movement and performance, biomedical engineering, prosthetics and human-machine interactions, among many other endeavors. National Biomechanics Day seeks to expand the influence and impact of Biomechanics on our society. By teaching young people about Biomechanics, one goal is that this will increase the number of people entering Biomechanics and create more career opportunities in Biomechanics. Careers may focus on Biomechanics science, but may also include the practical application of Biomechanics in commercial, medical, industrial, and other settings. As the number of biomechanists increases, so will the impact on society as well as society’s understanding and appreciation of Biomechanics in the hopes of making Biomechanics the “breakthrough science of the 21st century.”

All NBD events and activities involve young people performing isokinetic tests, or EMG tests, or mo-cap tests, or so many other living-science activities. The end result after each and every NBD test is amazement and awe, which supports the NBD motto of “Science meets fun on National Biomechanics Day.”