Des Moines Register
11-25-07
Professor seeks giant leap in bone research
By FRED LOVE • REGISTER CORRESPONDENT • November 25, 2007
Ames, Ia., Tim Derrick wants to conduct research for NASA. He is waiting for
the other shoe to drop.
The Iowa State University kinesiology professor specializes in the effects of
footwear on bone and muscles. His latest project could take his work into outer
space.
Derrick wants to explore the forces that weigh on astronauts' bones, either in
orbit or on another planet. NASA has accepted his preliminary proposal. He and
fellow researchers must now submit an in-depth plan by next month. They expect
a decision by February.
"Our area is looking at forces and stresses inside of the bone while someone is
performing particular activities," he said.
He said the research would involve a lot of computer work but would also include
experiments at the University of Colorado that involve bungee cords attached to
volunteers. The team would then use a system of cameras to create a computer
model of the subject's body to help estimate the forces at work.
Derrick said some stresses encountered by astronauts actually strengthen their
bones.
"Bone is very much like muscle. When you train it, it strengthens," he said. "You
don't want to overdo it, of course."
Derrick came to Iowa State in 1996 with degrees from the University of Oregon
and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He has studied various shoes
and how they impact the body for the past 23 years.
He said he keeps between 30 and 40 pairs of athletic shoes in his ISU office for
research.
Derrick competed in track and cross country in high school, which fueled an
interest in athletic footwear.
"My work combines my interests in physics, math and science with my love of
running," he said.
Derrick got his start at the University of Oregon, where a professor had a contract
with Asics, a footwear company. Derrick helped the professor collect data. His
adviser at the University of Massachusetts also conducted research for an
athletic shoe company.
At ISU, Derrick uses a machine that measures the impact to the heel during
simulated running conditions. He tests variables such as friction, weight, stiffness
and flexibility. He also looks at motion control, which is the ability of the shoe to
keep the foot from rolling over, and energy return, or how well the shoe bounces
back on certain surfaces.
Derrick recently finished tests on a new basketball shoe, the Starbury II, for
Consumer Reports magazine. The magazine asked Derrick to examine the
cushioning of the shoe, which sells for less than $30. He determined that the
cushioning is within typical standards of basketball shoes, most of which retail for
three times the Starbury ll's price tag.
Derrick has also performed tests on military combat boots.
"There's not much harder than an Army boot," he said.
He found that the boots led to stress fractures but that they also have some
advantages.
"They're not really expensive, and they're fairly waterproof," he said. "And they
protect the foot well."