Biomechanics Expert Opines on Mud Run Participant's Injuries

Case Overview

This case involves a female plaintiff who suffered injuries during a nonprofit fundraising race that was designed to give funds to a local charity. The race was in a “mud run” format, with a number of obstacles strewn throughout the race’s course by event staff. Many of the obstacles involved climbing, yet participants were not provided with any supplemental safety equipment or personal training prior to the race. At the time of the incident in question, the Plaintiff had arrived, along with several other members of her team, at the base of a vertical wall that was serving as an obstacle on the course. The bottom of the wall on one side was a mud filled trench, while the other was hard gravel. The Plaintiff was required to scale the wall via a rope anchored to the top of the wall. At some point, the Plaintiff slipped and fell on the gravel at the other side of the wall, causing a devastating ankle injury.

Questions to the Biomechanical Engineering expert and their responses

Please briefly describe your experience with injury biomechanics and kinesiology relating to athletics.

I have been involved in a number of injury cases requiring biomechanics information. These have been most common in gymnastics, cheerleading, trampoline parks, and others.

Does any of this experience relate to landing surfaces?

I suspect that the 'rocks' in question may have been p-gravel. If this is the case, then there have been studies of playground-related impacts on everything from asphalt to dirt, grass, ground-up tires, wood chips and others. Most impacts are not simply straight down and involve other force/torque components that will probably increase the difficulty of the analysis. It should be common sense that if people can fall from any height above their standing height that the landing surface requires special precautions. There are a variety of ways to reduce the harshness of an impact including everything from instruction, to matting, inflatable equipment, and ropes and harnesses.

About the expert

This expert is a sport scientist, trained in exercise physiology and bio-mechanics. He recently served as the National Director of Education for the National Strength and Conditioning Association in Colorado Springs, CO. He has served as the Director of the Monfort Family Human Performance Research Laboratory at Colorado Mesa University. At the U.S. Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, he was Recovery Center Leader, Head of Sport Biomechanics and Engineering, and Senior Physiologist. He has over 40 years experience in Olympic sports. This expert has served as an associate professor at the University of Utah's Department of Exercise and Sport Science and Co-Director of the Motor Behavior Research Laboratory with adjunct appointments in Bioengineering and Physical Therapy. He was the Department Chair of Exercise Science & Sports Medicine at California Lutheran University and Director of the Human Performance Laboratory. Other positions include: Director of Research and Development for USA Gymnastics, Scientific Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation, and Chair of the United States Elite Coaches Association for Women's Gymnastics. He has written 11 books, over 25 book chapters, received over $Â¼ million in grants and contracts, published over 300 articles on sport performance, over 35 professional awards. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, certified as an Athlete Recovery Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Wilderness EMT, and has several certifications in emergency communications, emergency medicine, and search and rescue.

E-077885

Specialties:

Biomechanical Engineering

Biomechanics Expert Opines on Mud Run Participant’s Injuries