ALCANTARA Ryan : Using accelerometers to measure a runner’s biomechanics and monitor injury riskALCANTARA Ryan

Summary: Long distance runners are susceptible to stress fractures, an overuse injury that affects the bones of the feet, legs, and pelvis. The repetitive nature of running lends itself to overuse injuries...

Summary: Long distance runners are susceptible to stress fractures, an overuse injury that affects the bones of the feet, legs, and pelvis. The repetitive nature of running lends itself to overuse injuries, as ground reaction forces of 2-3x body weight and muscle forces 6-10x body weight are exerted on the bones with each step. Measurement of ground reaction forces has led to the identification of biomechanical risk factors but is generally restricted to a laboratory environment. My research aims to use wearable devices like accelerometers and machine learning to predict biomechanical variables outside the laboratory and provide strategies for coaches, clinicians, and researchers to longitudinally monitor a runner’s injury risk.

Biography : Ryan Alcantara is a PhD candidate in the Applied Biomechanics Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder. Ryan completed his Masters degree in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2019 and completed his Bachelors degree in Human Biology at Seattle Pacific University in 2015. His research focuses on improving athlete performance by identifying physiological and biomechanical factors that affect long distance running and sprinting performance. Additionally, his research aims to use wearable devices and machine learning to improve methods of monitoring a runner’s biomechanics outside the laboratory.