Interdisciplinary Vertical Integration: The Future of Biomechanics

The field of biomechanics has grown rapidly in the past 30 years in both size and complexity. As a result, the term might mean different things to different people. This article addresses the issues facing the field in the form of challenges biomechanists face in the future. Because the field is so diverse, strength within the different areas of biomechanics also varies. Although the term might not always appear in the curriculum, principles in biomechanics are felt to be highly integrated into the broader fields of kinesiology, exercise science, etc. The major challenges facing the field, as suggested in this paper, include the development of significant hypotheses, integration with other disciplines such as psychology and motor control, “cross training” our graduate students so they might bring a richer perspective to collaborations with colleagues in other subdisciplines, and the development of funded postdoctoral experiences to support this aspect of student development. Because of the integrative nature of our work, questions are also posed related to the use of particular names, which at times places us in possibly more-restricted categories then we wish. These issues are, of course, open to debate.