Description: In the world of biomechanics, engineers continuously aim to innovate and create new models for better understanding of their research. In this episode, Kristin Morgan (University of Connecticut) returns to the show as she explains how they use gait as a form of diagnostic tool in maximizing human performance. Having experiences on sports herself, Morgan presents how they use gait to measure recovery from physical impairment, specifically for ACL-related injuries. Aside from this, however, she also explains how they use the same tool to measure recovery from cognitive impairment. An insightful episode for all!

Keywords: biomechanics, models, metrics, gait, engineering, statistics, cognitive impairment, physical impairment

0:00 - Intro

03:01 - Creating models for performance optimization

07:23 - Why gait is an effective diagnostic tool

11:38 - Maximizing gait in creating models for post-ACLR

17:35 - Manifestation of different injuries & models

22:01 - Modeling motor control

26:28 - Applying other models in biomechanics

30:50 - Using asymmetric walking for recovery

39:30 - Understanding cognitive impairment recovery

44:19 - Moving forward with gait as diagnostic tool

45:40 - Taking inspiration from other fields / Statistics in Engineering

47:45 - Engineering and statistics hand in hand

52:50 - Limitations of modeling in biomechanics

54:20 - Starting a career in biomechanics

58:20 - Including cognitive impairment

1:00:20 - Tailoring models to specific cases

1:05:33 - Applying the models to injuries other than ACL