PANTHER at ISB 2025
Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics in Stockholm Sweden July 27 – 31, PANTHER researchers from Eastern Carolina University will present their latest work on the influence of repetitive loading on neural impairment and cognitive function within fast boat operators and crew.
The importance of this issue was reported in the NYTimes in November of 2024. The article reported that:
In a questionnaire sent to boat team veterans by one retired chief, nearly all who replied — about 300 — said they had experienced concussion symptoms from riding on the boats, and most were still experiencing symptoms years later. Nearly a quarter said they had been suicidal.
PANTHER’s work aims to understand the actual impact levels and forces acting on the bodies of fastboat crewmembers – to quantify the relationship between repetitive loading and biomechanical markers of neurological function to determine what magnitudes are sustainable.
The results from the project will provide insight into the exposures that lead to neural injury in fast boat crews. This information can be used by future studies to develop effective countermeasures to maintain force health and readiness.
