# Biomechanics Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2022 · $148,865

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The Biomechanics Core (BC) will facilitate the training of investigators in the conduct of new and expanded
research on how metabolic disease and inflammation interact with age-related disease to determine key health
outcomes. The Specific Aims include: providing interdisciplinary expertise, training and technical support for
the biomechanical and other physiological aspects of Research Career Development, a Pilot Exploratory
Study, a Developmental Project (DP) and 8 External Projects (EPs, Aim 1); providing individual guidance on
(Aim 2) and evaluating methods (Aim 3) related to mobility and functional status, the biomechanics of aging,
and to the training of geriatric physicians and other clinicians in the biomechanics relevant to impaired mobility,
falls and fall-related injuries, urinary incontinence and prolapse in the older adults; and assisting with computer
modeling and simulation related to the above goals (Aim 4). BC-supported investigators will have substantial
access to the UM Biomechanics Research Laboratory of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the
Mobility Research Center at the UM Geriatrics Center. The DP will enhance a BC-invented uroflowmeter by
designing and testing a microsensor to measure mid-stream urine sodium in real time. This modification will
challenge the existing paradigm of needing an indwelling catheter to accurately measure urine output and urine
biomarkers, and the invention will help differentiate kidney failure from normal kidney function with low blood
volume. The EPs include improving the treatment of hip arthroplasty, urinary incontinence and pelvic organ
prolapse, preventing decubitus ulcers, and wearable sensors to determine real world physical activity and falls
in older adults. By structuring the BC as a separate Core, the OAIC achieves economic efficiencies in terms of
reduced equipment and service that would be duplicated if separate biomechanics components were pursued
by individual OAIC projects. Since its inception, the BC has served as a consulting service to faculty
performing multidisciplinary research on geriatric mobility problems. Consequently, the BC has positively
impacted the quality of the research conducted in and beyond the OAIC, as demonstrated by its productivity in
terms of peer-reviewed articles, the success of young investigators granted with K08, K12, K23, K99/R00
awards, and extramural research projects awarded by R03, R21, R01, P50 and RC2 mechanisms.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10448479
- **Project number:** 5P30AG024824-18
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES Anthony ASHTON-MILLER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $148,865
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2004-09-30 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10448479

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10448479, Biomechanics Core (5P30AG024824-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10448479. Licensed CC0.

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