Biomechanist

Linking Mechanics to Physiology & Performance

(12/15/22) I no longer update this website. For info, see my UT Austin Human Locomotion Lab website

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Owen N. Beck

McCamish Postdoctoral Fellow Emory University

(12/15/22) I no longer update this website. For info, see my UT Austin Human Locomotion Lab website

Hello, I am a McCamish Postdoctoral Fellow spanning Emory University's Neuromechanics Lab and Georgia Tech's PoWeR Lab. I study how biomechanics affect physiology and performance. Within this broad scope, I have a particular interest on how body dimensions and muscle-tendon mechanics affect metabolism, fatigue, balance, and speed.

I'm joining the University of Texas at Austin as an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology & Health Education beginning January 2023!

I'm currently looking to build a team of curious and motivated individuals interested in the biomechanics of human performance. Prospective graduate students (MS & PhD), please contact me with your research interests and a CV, and consider applying to the MCRS program.

Email: obeck3[at]gatech[dot]edu

Twitter: @Owen1Beck

My research aims to 1) identify factors that limit locomotion performance, and then 2) mitigate such limiting factors using biomechanical interventions. To accomplish these aims, I study participants with different physical characteristics, from frail older adults to elite athletes, using experimental techniques that allow me to assess muscle-tendon mechanics in vivo. I also study participant muscle-tendon mechanics using biofeedback, wearable devices, and exercise/rehabilitation programs.

Walking Biomechanics

Walking.mp4

Running Speed

Running.mp4

Kangaroo

Hopping.mp4

ExoBoots for Balance

Balance.mp4

Leg Metabolism

Flexing.mp4

Fascicle Mechanics

Muscle.mp4

Awards

McCamish Parkinson’s Disease Innovation Program Training Fellowship (2021-2023) $120,000
National Institute of Health Fellowship (NIA NSRA F32) (2019-2021) $152,000
Atlanta Science Communication Fellowship (2018) $600
Best Graduate Student Podium Presentation Award, Rocky Mountain American Society of Biomechanics Conference (2017) $100
Beverly Sears Graduate Student Research Grant (2017) $1,000
University of Colorado Graduate Assistance Travel Award (2014,15,16) $900
American Society of Biomechanics Student Travel Award (2014) $300
Professional Service Award, Dept. of Kinesiology, Humboldt State University (2013)
NCAA Student Athlete All-Academic Award (2010)

Publications

24. Allen S.A., Beck O.N., Grabowski A.M. (2022) Evaluating the “Cost of Generating Force” Hypothesis Across Frequency in Human

Running and Hopping. Journal of Experimental Biology. 225(18): jeb244755. doi.org/10.1242/jeb.244755. Link

23. Beck O.N., Trejo, L.H., Schroeder, J.N., Franz J.R., Sawicki G.S. (2022) Shorter Muscle Fascicle Operating Lengths Increase the

Metabolic Cost of Cyclic Force Production. Journal of Applied Physiology. 133:3, 524-533. doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00720.2021. Link

22. Tacca J.R., Beck O.N., Taboga P., Grabowski A.M. (2022) Running-Specific Prosthesis Model, Stiffness, and Height Affect

Biomechanics and Asymmetry of Athletes with Unilateral Transtibial Amputations Across Velocities. Royal Society Open Science. 9: 211691.

211691. Link

21. Beck O.N., Taboga P., Grabowski A.M. (2022) Sprinting with Prosthetic versus Biological Legs:

Insight from Experimental Evidence. Royal Society Open Science. Link

20. Krupenevich R.L., Beck O.N., Franz J.R., Sawicki G.S. (2021) Reduced Achilles Tendon Stiffness Disrupts Calf Muscle Neuromechanics in Elderly Gait. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. doi: 10.1159/000516910. Link

19. Beck O.N., Golyski P.R., Sawicki G.S. (2020) Adding Carbon Fiber To Shoe Soles May Not Improve Running Economy: A Muscle-Level Explanation. Scientific Reports. 10, 17154. Link

18. Beck O.N., Gosyne J., Franz J.R., Sawicki G.S. (2020). Cyclically Producing the Same Average Muscle-Tendon Force with a Smaller Duty Increases Metabolic Rate. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 287:20200431. Link Data

17. Alcantara R.S., Beck O.N., Grabowski A.M. (2020) Lower Limb Mass Has No Effect on Biomechanical Asymmetry But Increases Metabolic Power In Runners With A Unilateral Transtibial Amputation. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 120, 1449-56. Link

16. Nuckols R.W., Dick T.J.M., Beck O.N., Sawicki G.S. (2020) Dynamic Ultrasound Measurements Elucidate Links between Soleus Muscle Mechanics and Energetics during Human Walking with Elastic Ankle Exoskeletons. Scientific Reports. 10, 3604. Link

15. Taboga P., Beck O.N., Grabowski A.M. (2020) Prosthetic Configuration Affects the Top Sprinting Speeds of Athletes with Bilateral Transtibial Amputations. Plos One. 15(2): e0229035. Link

14. Sawicki G.S., Beck O.N., Kang I., Young A.J. (2020) The Exoskeleton Expansion: Improving Walking and Running Economy. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 17(25). Link

13. Taboga P.T., Drees E.K., Beck O.N., Grabowski A.M. (2020) Running-Specific Prosthetic Model Affects Top Sprinting Speed in Athletes with Unilateral Transtibial Amputations. Scientific Reports. 10, 1763. Link

12. Beck O.N., Punith L.K., Nuckols R.W., Sawicki G.S. (2019) Exoskeletons improve locomotion economy by reducing active muscle volume. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 47(4):237-45. Link

11. Beck O.N., Grabowski A.M. (2019) Athletes With vs. Without Leg Amputations: Different Biomechanics, Similar Running Economy. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews. 47(1):15-21. Link

10. Beck O.N., Azua E.A., Grabowski A.M. (2018) Asymmetric Step Times Increase the Metabolic Cost of Running. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 118(10):2147-54. Link

9. Beck O.N., Grabowski A.M., Ortega J.D. (2018) Neither Total Muscle Activation nor Co-activation Explains How Older Runners Retain Youthful Walking Economy. Gait and Posture. 65:163-8. Link

8. Beck O.N., Kipp S., Byrnes W.C., Kram R. (2018) Viewpoint & Last Word on Viewpoint: Use Aerobic Energy Expenditure Instead of Oxygen Uptake to Quantify Exercise Intensity and Predict Endurance Performance. Journal of Applied Physiology. 125(2):672-4. Link

7. Beck O.N., Grabowski A.M. (2017) Case Studies in Physiology: The Biomechanics of the Fastest Sprinter with a Unilateral Transtibial Amputation. Journal of Applied Physiology. 124(3):641-5. Link

6. Beck O.N., Taboga P., Grabowski A.M. (2017) How do Prosthetic Stiffness, Height, and Running Speed Affect the Biomechanics of Athletes with Bilateral Transtibial Amputations? Royal Society Interface. 14(131). Link

5. Beck O.N., Taboga P., Grabowski A.M. (2017) Prosthetic Model, but not Stiffness or Height, Affects the Metabolic Cost of Running for Athletes with Unilateral Transtibial Amputations. Journal of Applied Physiology. 123(1):38-48. Link

4. Beck O.N., Taboga P., Grabowski A.M. (2017) Reduced Prosthetic Stiffness Lowers the Metabolic Cost of Running for Athletes with Bilateral Transtibial Amputations. Journal of Applied Physiology. 122(4):976-84. Link

3. Beck O.N., Taboga P., Grabowski A.M. (2016) Characterizing the Mechanical Properties of Running-Specific Prostheses. Plos One. 11(12):e0168298. Link

2. Beck O.N., Kipp S., Roby J.M., Grabowski A.M., Kram R., Ortega J.D. (2016) Older Runners Retain Youthful Running Economy Despite Biomechanical Differences. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. Apr;48(4):697-704. Link

1. Ortega J.D., Beck O.N., Roby J.M., Turney A.L., Kram R. (2014) Running for Exercise Mitigates the Age-Related Deterioration of Walking Economy. Plos One. 10.1371/journal.pone.0113471. Link

Beck O.N. & Kipp S. (2021) Comment on Viewpoint: World class cyclists must risk it all- including their bone health. Journal of Applied Physiology. 131, 29-33, Link *Non-peer reviewed article.

Service & Outreach

Scientific Expert: Blake Leeper vs. World Athletics I & II. 2018-2021. Link

Organizing Committee Member: Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics 2020 & 2021 Link, Dynamic Walking 2018 & 2021 Link.

Volunteer: 5280 Challenge Link, Colorado Adaptive Mobility Clinic, American Society of Biomechanics National Conference 2018.

Sci Communication Blog: Agnes Scott College Cross Country Link

Atlanta Science Festival Event Director: How Humans Move: Physiology & Biomechanics. Event Ad: Humans are constantly in motion. But have you ever stopped to consider how, precisely, we're able to move the way we do? Join Georgia Institute of Technology PoWeR Lab for a fun afternoon demystifying what makes us run fast, the electricity required to flex your muscles, and so much more. You'll get your blood pumping through fun exercises while you test high-tech gadgets and learn how engineers are designing wearable devices that will make it easier for humans to walk in the near future. Link