What Is a Biomechanics Test?

A biomechanics test evaluates the human body for research or diagnostic purposes. In the testing, technicians collect data on an aspect of the musculoskeletal system through activities like imaging studies, force plate measurements, and observation. Testing may be requested as part of a workup of a patient with a suspected biomechanical condition. It can also be conducted during research to learn more about how the body responds to stress and to test devices used to protect the body or address injuries.

In this type of testing, the goal is to collect information about how a specific aspect of the musculoskeletal system performs. A patient with walking problems might undergo a gait analysis test, for example. During the biomechanics test, care providers ask the patient to walk, jog in place, and engage in other movements. They can watch closely while the patient moves to identify specific problems with the feet and legs and develop a report for the physician who requested the testing.

Other testing can measure bone density, collect information about skeletal alignment, evaluate compression on the vertebrae, and measure other properties of the musculoskeletal system. When used for diagnostic purposes, a biomechanics test is usually ordered to uncover the reason for a patient’s symptoms. It can also be useful as part of a follow-up evaluation for a patient after treatment to determine whether it was effective. Testing can help care providers make adjustments to treatment, if necessary, to address issues identified during testing.

Before surgical procedures and other treatments involving biomechanical systems, a care provider might request a biomechanics test. This can collect information useful for a treatment plan, like data on the spine a doctor will use to select the right implant in surgery and adjust it appropriately. For corrective devices like orthopedic devices used to balance the gait, it can also be important to have as much data as possible on the patient to make sure they will fit right and be comfortable for the patient.

Testing for research can be conducted to test for responses to different conditions and collect data used to design safety systems, orthopedic implants, and related devices. Knowing what happens to the body in a car accident, for example, can allow technicians to develop better systems to protect drivers and passengers. A biomechanics test can also establish strain loads to use in specific vehicle crash testing to determine if simulated crashes would be survivable.