Biomechanics face grand challenges due to the intricacy of living things. We need multidiciplinary approach (mechanical, chemical, electrical, and thermal ) to unravel these intricacies. We need to integrate observations from multiple length scales - from organ level to, tissue level, cell level, molecular level, atomic level, and then to energy level) Over these intricacies, their dynamism, the complexity of their response makes it very difficult to correlate empirical data with theoretical models. Among these challenges, which is the most important challenge. If we solve the most important challenge, we could solve most of the other challenges easily.
Biomechanics is both Art & Science because it does not follow Newton's Three Primary Laws predictably. I can stop rolling down a hill biomechanically at will. A bird can fly away when dropped from a tree as opposed to an apple or a piece of gold of the same mass.
The main problem that I have encountered in researching and practicing biomechanics clinically is that its researchers and clinicians are deterministically trying to study it quantitatively (Science) when n=1, there are too many variables to do so. The best that can currently be done is to study it stochastically (Art) or some hybrid of both (Art & Science).
When studying mankind biomechanically we need to seek disruptive biomechanical theories with new terminology and methods of research, diagnosis and treatment. Ones that consider the myofascial organ, the endocannabinoid system and the true actions and purpose of the CNS and neural strategy.
We need to abandon subtalar joint neutral, pronation and "normal" for words that lead us to a better understanding and control of human stance and movement efficiently and without injury or degeneration.
https://www.podiatrytoday.com/should-we-abandon-concept-subtalar-neutral-joint-position.
The application of mechanics to biology--biomechanics--bears great challenges due to the intricacy of living things. Their dynamism, along with the complexity of their mechanical response (which in itself involves complex chemical, electrical, and thermal phenomena) makes it very difficult to correlate empirical data with theoretical models. This difficulty elevates the importance of useful biomechanical theories compared to other fields of engineering.
The most important challenges in biomechanics are: physical activity and metabolic expenditure of exercises or sport actions, activity optimisation, relationship between morphology and function, and gait analysis.
Maybe more integrative systems, even in the analysis process as Complex Systems and Network Analysis.
The foundation of Biomechanics is Life, yet we donot have a proper definition of Life. There are many definition of Life in literature, may be hundreds of them, but still we are searching for a satisfactory definition of Life. I am not aware of any one definition of Life that explains all dimensions of life.
Please Go To This Link:
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Biomechanics_In_Sport
Biomechanics has been defined by Hatze, as the study of the movement of living things using the scince of mechanics. Principles of Biomechanics are very important to be integrated with other Kinesiology sciences to solve human movements problems.
Cen I. Bytyqi: Definition by Hatze is restricting biomechanics to movement science alone. Biomechanics deserves much larger definition. Also, we are discussing challenges, not definitions.
Dear Manivannan Muniyandi,
1. Computational challenges- the simulation of high resolution agent based modeling in biology often deals with large data sets. ABM(agent based modeling) on GPU platforms with high performance computing required, framework for parallel architecture and multi-scale nature of the model , handling between cellular movement and chemical interactions, force characteristics, are another challenges. Cellular movements occur at the speed of micrometer per hour.
2. Dynamism
3. Due to complexity of their mechanical response (which in itself involves complex chemical, electrical, and thermal phenomena), data correlation is difficult through the model.
4. Problem of the structural organization and integrity of the living cell.
5. Traditional biomechanical tools to study the forces, displacements, deformations, and stresses in tissue/cellular structures are often lacking.
6. The functional and physical wiring of the brain and spinal cord remain largely a mystery and are the focus of many efforts across the neuroscience and neurologic sciences is utmost a extreme challenge.
7. Difficult to understand reason behind pain whether it is physical/biomechanical reason or related from brain/nuero or other else.
8. Penetration depth for in vivo cardiac use. Due to fast vector of E-chord measuring velocity, distribution, location and imaging valves is so difficult.
Ashish
Biomechanics is both Art & Science because it does not follow Newton's Three Primary Laws predictably. I can stop rolling down a hill biomechanically at will. A bird can fly away when dropped from a tree as opposed to an apple or a piece of gold of the same mass.
The main problem that I have encountered in researching and practicing biomechanics clinically is that its researchers and clinicians are deterministically trying to study it quantitatively (Science) when n=1, there are too many variables to do so. The best that can currently be done is to study it stochastically (Art) or some hybrid of both (Art & Science).
When studying mankind biomechanically we need to seek disruptive biomechanical theories with new terminology and methods of research, diagnosis and treatment. Ones that consider the myofascial organ, the endocannabinoid system and the true actions and purpose of the CNS and neural strategy.
We need to abandon subtalar joint neutral, pronation and "normal" for words that lead us to a better understanding and control of human stance and movement efficiently and without injury or degeneration.
https://www.podiatrytoday.com/should-we-abandon-concept-subtalar-neutral-joint-position.
AMR: can you please elaborate on what specific aspect of Articular Cartilage is a challenge?
Amr
Articular Cartilage degeneration & destruction is compensatory not causatory. It is clinically evident (a sign or symptom) and once advanced, it prevents restorative and regenerative therapeutics from working.
The Root Causes of cartilage wear, tear and eburnation are structural subluxations and dislocations of joints and overuse.
Dr Sha
Aravind Rudrarapu
This article may be one of the most important articles relating to biomechanics when applied to human movement and biomedical engineering of the lower extremity "from the ground up" (my interest)
Article Challenge of Biomechanics
I have requested the full article cannot wait to receive the body in order to confirm my suspicions.Dennis Shavelson DPM
The major issue may be that we are unable to understand what life is, We may have taken a reductionist approach and made models of life and studied the biomechanics using these models; most of the biomechanics research follows this approach. The kinematic and kinetic parameters are also reduced parameters of mechanics. Maybe we need an entirely different approach to study the real biomechanics without using the reductionist approach.
I agree with Ashish Thakur , who asserts:
" Ashish Thakur added an answer on June 9, 2020:
Dear Manivannan Muniyandi, 1. Computational challenges- the simulation of high resolution agent based modeling in biology often deals with large data sets. ABM(agent based modeling) on GPU platforms with high performance computing required, framework for parallel architecture and multi-scale nature of the model , handling between cellular movement and chemical interactions, force characteristics, are another challenges. Cellular movements occur at the speed of micrometer per hour. 2. Dynamism 3. Due to complexity of their mechanical response (which in itself involves complex chemical, electrical, and thermal phenomena), data correlation is difficult through the model. 4. Problem of the structural organization and integrity of the living cell. 5. Traditional biomechanical tools to study the forces, displacements, deformations, and stresses in tissue/cellular structures are often lacking. 6. The functional and physical wiring of the brain and spinal cord remain largely a mystery and are the focus of many efforts across the neuroscience and neurologic sciences is utmost a extreme challenge. 7. Difficult to understand reason behind pain whether it is physical/biomechanical reason or related from brain/nuero or other else. 8. Penetration depth for in vivo cardiac use. Due to fast vector of E-chord measuring velocity, distribution, location and imaging valves is so difficult." Ashish Recommended Share
Nancy Ann Watanabe
I echo your list of challenges that must be overcome for us to understand human biomechanics.
My problem is that these are deterministic challenges seeking quantitative answers to the dilemma that exists and will not be solved easily or timely especially in this Pandemic-Postpandemic moment.
The methodology & tools of stochastic research need to be given more validity and importance because it will harvest applicable and clinically usable treatments that bridge the road to deterministic research and applicable treatment methodology & tools. The alternative is to wait for quantitative research to surface which we simply do not have time for.
When dealing integratively and holistically, I would add two more challenged areas to your list that must be considered in order to complete your jigsaw:
1. The Myofascial Organ
2. The Endocannabinoid System
Understanding these will make the others more understandable.
Dennis Shavelson
From a Physiotherapy perspective; the greatest challenge will be to analyze the real-time intraarticular movements of joint surfaces in a specific joint when a person does even a simple movement.
Because if we could quantitatively measure in real-time motion it will be helpful in identifying the root cause, design rehabilitation, to evaluate the efficacy of many muscle strengthening regimens, surgical procedures, etc.
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