Alabama State University News January 11, 2013 College of Health Sciences to Highlight Biomechanics at Symposium, New Laboratory By Tina Joly ASU's Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics in the College of Health Sciences (COHS) is hosting a symposium that will help cycling enthusiasts improve their performance through biomechanics, which is the study of how and why people move. Dr. Lee Childers, assistant professor in the Master of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics (MSPO) program, will be the presenter at the symposium, titled "Cycling Biomechanics: Science Taking Your Performance from Zero to Hero." Childers has been an avid cyclist for more than 10 years, competing in cross country mountain biking and track cycling in the United States and Europe. "Cycling enthusiasts who attend the symposium will learn how to go faster. I will also discuss bicycle positioning and optimizing positions for performance as well as how to pedal properly," Childers said. The symposium will be held on Jan. 28 at 5:30 p.m. in ASU's John L. Buskey Auditorium. New Biomechanics Laboratory Following the symposium, the COHS will unveil its state-of-the-art biomechanics laboratory. Symposium attendees will be able to tour the new facility. "A biomechanics lab usually consists of some way to measure movement, a way to measure forces and a way to measure when muscles are active. The lab here at ASU will be taking this beyond the basics because it has a state-of-the-art motion system, a force measurement system and a wireless electromyography system (EMG)," Childers said. The force measurement system and EMG system help healthcare professionals understand how a patient moves and how to help a patient improve mobility. Childers is excited about the new lab and said it benefits ASU students, patients and the community. "The students will be using the lab to conduct their own research on running to reduce shin splints, prosthetic alignment and its effects on gait in people with amputations. We are also developing a collaborative effort with AUM to help them adapt exercise equipment for people with spinal cord injury," Childers said. Childers has published several articles and conducted cycling research for a number of years. Some of his research has been used to customize bicycles for people with amputations and to make recommendations for cycling prosthetic design. These recommendations have been used for the nation's returning veterans at Walter Reed and Balboa Naval Hospitals. For more information about the symposium or the laboratory, contact ASU's College of Health Sciences at 334-229-5053. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.