Biomechanics Research

Biomechanics is the study of the structure, function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems, at any level from whole organisms to organs, cells and cell organelles, using the methods of mechanics.

Research Labs

The Biomechanics Lab consists of faculty members Dr. Katherine Boyer  and professor emeritus Dr. Joseph Hamill. The Biomechanics Lab conducts studies on the fundamental and clinical aspects of human locomotion through the application of the principles of mechanics and associated scientific methodology. Dr. Boyer leads the Musculoskeletal Orthopedic Biomechanics Lab research group.

The UMass Integrative Locomotion Lab (UMILL) directed by Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer uses a comprehensive, integrative approach to study human locomotion. Our work covers the full health spectrum, from the neuromechanics of split-belt walking in individuals with neurological disease to the biomechanics and energetics of elite marathon runners.

The Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lab (NMBL) is directed by Dr. Sarah Roelker. NMBL studies the neuromuscular and biomechanical mechanisms underlying typical and impaired locomotion and dynamic balance using a combination of experimental and computational methodologies.