Author: Maria Holland

Goats Defying Gravity

This video describes how mountain goats can influence robot design based on the biomechanical principles that influence their impeccable balance. It explains how a mountain goat’s center of mass, controlled limb force generation, and specialized hoof anatomy can all be mimicked in robotics and why it is relevant.

Credits:

Biomechanics of the Butterfly Position

The butterfly position is the cornerstone of modern ice hockey goaltending. However, many have questioned if it is the cause of increasing non-contact goalie hip and groin injuries. In this Notre Dame Biomechanics in The Wild video, we investigate if the butterfly method is to blame.

References:

  1. Whiteside D, Deneweth JM, Bedi A, Zernicke RF, Goulet GC. Femoroacetabular Impingement in Elite Ice Hockey Goaltenders: Etiological Implications of On-Ice Hip Mechanics. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2015;43(7):1689-1697. doi:10.1177/0363546515578251
  2. Frayne, Ryan J., “The Effects of Ice Hockey Goaltender Leg Pads on Safety and Performance” (2016). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 4221. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/4221
  3. Philippon MJ, Ho CP, Briggs KK, Stull J, LaPrade RF. Prevalence of Increased Alpha Angles as a Measure of Cam-Type Femoroacetabular Impingement in Youth Ice Hockey Players. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013;41(6):1357-1362. doi:10.1177/0363546513483448
  4. Wörner T, Clarsen B, Thorborg K, Eek F. Elite Ice Hockey Goalkeepers Have a High Prevalence of Hip and Groin Problems Associated With Decreased Sporting Function: A Single-Season Prospective Cohort Study. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2019;7(12). doi:10.1177/2325967119892586

Included Photos:

  • Équipe de hockey de Riverbend, Alma (Québec) – Unknown Author (Wikimedia)
  • Princeton hockey team LCCN2014688836 – Bain News Service (Wikimedia)
  • 1911 Coupe de Chamonix – England vs. Belgium – Meurisse M. Williams (Wikimedia)
  • Hockey-vs-rit 30289172813 o – United States Air Force Potographer (Wikimedia)
  • Portillo pd1 5 17 – Jenn G (Wikimedia)
  • FAI Example – From Whiteside [1]
  • Hip Rotations – From Whiteside [1]

Included Videos:

  • NHL Oldest Footage – Delta Highlights (YouTube)
  • Patrick Roy: The Butterfly Effect – Red Hot Hockey (YouTube)
  • Emergency Goalie Steals the Show in Chicago – NHL (YouTube)
  • Business people’s hands doing analysis and planning a business project in an office (Videezy)

Music:

  • Aurora on the Boulevard – National Sweetheart (YouTube Audio Library)

Archerfish: Nature’s Master Marksmen

The name archerfish refers to seven species of freshwater fish that are all members of the Toxotes genus. These fish derive their name from their ability to hunt land-based creatures, ranging from insects to small lizards, using jets of water shot from their mouth with remarkable accuracy. They only grow to a maximum of a foot long, but they’ve been recorded in the wild propelling their water jets distances of up to two meters. A recent study in the Journal of Experimental Biology was conducted by Stephan Schuster to investigate the mechanics behind their unorthodox hunting technique.

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