intro
The Sport Biomechanics Lab is an applied science laboratory that consults with professional athletes, college athletes, and people from the general community. The researchers analyze movements of the body to improve performance. Wendi Weimar, Ph.D. is the director of the lab.
Weimar’s research focuses on the function of the lower extremity, specifically gait dynamics. One particular study that garnered tremendous attention compared the gait kinematics of individuals wearing sneakers versus flip-flops. This project led to an interview on Good Morning America and an estimated 600 million people interacting with this research. In addition, Weimar is the co-author of the third-most utilized kinesiology textbook.
Moreover, several of Weimar’s doctoral student conduct research in the Sport Biomechanics lab. One student is analyzing shoe lacing and its impact on foot function. Another student is studying gait while wearing high heels.
Weimar and the Sport Biomechanics Lab work closely with the Sports Medicine and Movement Lab directed by Gretchen Oliver, Ph.D. Both work with the Auburn University softball team and helped develop and implement “The Hop.” The video received over 6 million views on Facebook. It is a defensive jump designed to take slack out of the muscle and improve reaction time. Learn “How to Hop,” by watching this video.
Weimar wrote a blog for SportsEdTV about The Hop. It can be read on the SportsEdTV web site.
Research
The research in the Sport Biomechanics Laboratory is primarily focused on the lower extremity, with the main focus on gait. The Lab has completed studies investigating footwear and sprint mechanics. They have even studied the starts of Greyhounds and the walking gait of Western Pleasure Horses. Wendi Weimar, Ph.D. has worked with colleagues in the School of Veterinary Medicine, considering the role of footwear in hoof development in horses. She has also collaborated with the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences considering cleat-to-turf frictional properties.
Some of the lab equipment includes:
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a 10-camera MX Vicon motion capture system
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2 AMTI force platforms (one that can be used underwater)
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an 8 channel Noraxon EMG system
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a Gaitrite mat
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a Basic Balance Master
Outreach
The lab conducts youth sport camps in the summer. They use Dartfish and FitLight to help campers learn about movement and agility. Weimar and Oliver host the biomechanics Speed, Agility, & Conditioning Camp every summer in June. The camp is for 8 – 17 year olds. Please contact Wendi Weimar, Ph.D. for more information, or register on our Kinesiology Store.
Additionally, the lab assists with the School’s Sports Science Camps for high school and junior high students every summer. They teach the campers proper running form and how to improve their speed and power.
News
Dr. Wendi Weimar recently sat down with the Everything Auburn podcast team to talk about her research and the passion that drives her sport biomechanics research. The episode is available at https://ocm.auburn.edu/everything-auburn/. For bonus content and additional information, go to https://wire.auburn.edu/content/ocm/2024/11/111516-podcast.php.
