Sport and aging are often studied as separate domains in biomechanics, but when you think about it, they share something fundamental: the importance of movement in enhancing human potential. Whether analyzing an athlete's performance or studying mobility in aging populations, we're ultimately trying to understand how movement shapes our capabilities and quality of life.
This October, I had the privilege of attending the 2nd Biomechanics in Sport and Ageing Symposium in Budapest, Hungary. What drew me to this conference was its unique approach to bridging two fields typically studied in isolation: sports and aging. Having transitioned from studying musculoskeletal conditions to sports biomechanics myself, I've seen firsthand how these domains can inform each other, even though they often operate at different speeds and with different resources.
Before I get started, I want to add that I'm grateful to Tibor Hortobágyi for the invitation and for spearheading this unique symposium. The event wouldn't have been possible without the incredible organizational efforts of Kata Kádár and Eszter Kerekes. Special thanks to András Hegyi and Annamária Péter not only for their work in organizing but also for their welcoming hospitality.
AI and Movement: Where Are We Headed?
The conference started with a thought-provoking keynote by Professor Peter van Ooijen from the University Medical Center Groningen on AI in Healthcare. His reference to Geoff Hinton's 2016 prediction about no longer needing to train radiologists sparked an important question: Could AI eventually reduce the need for biomechanists?
For now, the answer seems clear: we still need experts for interpretation, and we need to understand the foundational principles of movement. In fact, I'd argue we've barely scratched the surface of biomechanics' potential in health and sport. The key lies in gathering standardized, accurate data to train models – not just movement data, but paired with meaningful outcomes, whether that's disease progression or precise performance metrics beyond simple binary measures like "goal" or "no goal."
Professor Neil Cronin from the University of Jyväskylä expanded on this in his keynote on AI in sports science biomechanics, in particular, measuring movement outside of a lab. His insights raised crucial questions about data standardization and sharing across research groups. Chris Richter, Head of Data & Technologies at byte, reinforced these perspectives, noting that while "AI is magical, it's not magic." AI will help us collect data faster and at higher frequencies, but the real challenge lies in making that data meaningful.
From Theory to Practice: Making Movement Matter
Professor Claudine Lamoth from the University of Groningen emphasized the importance of having clear research questions and uniform methodology. Her advice to always conduct exploratory data analysis resonated strongly – sometimes we're so eager to apply sophisticated analyses that we forget to simply visualize and understand our data first.
In my talk on "Advancements in AI for Biomechanical Assessment of Physical Function," I shared our work at the Joe Gibbs Human Performance Institute, where we're tackling these challenges head-on. What sets our approach apart is the automation of data collection and our focus on environmental validity. Picture this: athletes playing 3v3 basketball while we simultaneously capture their movements through markerless tracking, ground reaction forces, heart rate, and ball trajectories – all synchronized and automated. Now that we've successfully integrated these systems, I'm thrilled about the possibilities ahead. With our ability to generate and analyze massive amounts of synchronized biomechanical and performance data in real-world settings, we can begin building more sophisticated and ecologically valid performance models. This opens up new frontiers in understanding the relationship between movement patterns and athletic performance, potentially revolutionizing how we train and develop athletes.
What made this conference particularly special was getting to know these brilliant researchers beyond their impressive work. Whether it was sharing two pours of wine with Neil (anything less is just offensive) while he shared a seat with the local dog, or chatting with Claudine about how sometimes the best opportunities come from following your curiosity rather than a well-laid path, I was struck by how these accomplished scientists are also incredibly warm, engaging people who share a genuine passion for advancing our field. It was also meaningful to meet Claudine, as hosting her PhD student, Roos, in our lab has already shown me the importance of knowledge transfer across institutions – her bright ideas and fresh perspectives are exactly what we need to keep pushing the field forward. These personal connections reminded me that great science often grows from great relationships.
Beyond the Conference: Exploring Budapest
While the conference was intellectually stimulating, Budapest itself offered its own lessons. Beyond the great food, wonderful cafes, and kind people, two experiences stand out: The House of Music and a dinner at a local Hungarian home.
The House of Music's exhibition uses position-tracking headphones to create an interactive journey through musical history. As I giggled my way through exhibits where instruments came alive as I approached them, I was reminded that technology isn't just about utility – it's about creating joy and wonder.
Even more memorable was a dinner hosted by a local Hungarian woman who served her grandmother's recipes using ingredients from local producers. Around her table sat visitors from Ethiopia, Canada, and various corners of the world. Our conversation reminded me how seemingly different lives can find common ground through shared experiences and curiosity.
Looking Forward
This symposium reinforced my belief that the future of biomechanics lies in breaking down silos – between sports and aging, between academia and industry, between technology and human expertise. While academia might take a slower, more thorough approach to studying disease, and industry might move faster but often lacking in validation in sports, both approaches have their merits. By learning from both worlds, we can advance the field as a whole.
As I left Budapest, I carried with me not just new insights about biomechanics and AI, but also a renewed appreciation for life's broader perspective. Sometimes we need to keep our heads down, focused on our goals. But occasionally, we must look up and remember how vast and beautiful the world is, filled with incredible people and stories waiting to be discovered.
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