|
News
& Ideas
BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING:
A shoe-in for aging bones
 Deepak
Vashishth, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, is conducting
state-of-the-art experiments to replicate conditions of wear and
tear on bones to study the impact of aging on fracture characteristics
of bone. His research could revolutionize the shoe industry and
potentially overhaul exercise programs for older people.
| |
Studying how loads affect bone of different
ages could lead to new shoe designs that limit the torsional
load, especially for older people whose bones are more vulnerable
to fracture, said Vashishth. It could also provide more insight
into the types of exercises that would have the least damaging
effects on older bones.
|
Researchers have long established that “axial
loading,” such as the load on bones from standing, can cause
bone damage.
Vashishth will examine the effects of axial loading
combined with torsional loading, a twisting action that occurs
when walking or running. This innovative combination will produce
a more complete picture of how older bones react to everyday activity
as well as to exercise.
Studying how loads affect bone of different ages
could lead to new shoe designs that limit the torsional load,
especially for older people whose bones are more vulnerable to
fracture, said Vashishth. It could also provide more insight into
the types of exercises that would have the least damaging effects
on older bones.
“We also hope to apply our data to predict
the failure rate of bone around joint implants, such as hip or
knee, which could lead to better implant designs,” he says.
Vashishth’s data come from the Israeli army,
whose soldiers exhibit the highest rate of fatigue fractures in
the world. The bones for the study are obtained from the National
Disease Research Interchange. Vashishth’s work is supported
by a $238,365 grant from the Whitaker Foundation.
CONTACT: Theresa Bourgeois, (518) 276-2840,
bourgt@rpi.edu
|
