Simulation based upon medical data offers a fast and robust method for the prediction of fracture risk

The accurate estimation of activation forces remains a significant challenge in the field of injury prediction and simulation in sports. Precision in the field of biomechanical simulation has been improved through the use of medical data such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These have the added benefit of providing simulation that is patient-specific. As a developing research technique, the absolute accuracy of biomechanical simulation has been improved in line with the development of both imaging and simulation technology. Cutting-edge simulation methods are now able to describe the minutiae of biomechanical systems with ever-increasing complexity. As the complexity of progressive biomechanical simulation increases, research is being undertaken to determine if more simplistic methods may now be considered for the robust and accurate portrayal of general bone behaviour and fracture prediction. In this paper, the Computed Tomography based Finite Element (CT- FE) simulation process is examined and its application with regards to Sports Engineering is discussed. It is proposed that this method of patient-specific and geometrically-accurate simulation would provide an excellent tool for the investigation of injury mechanisms and equipment design, allowing a wide array of operating conditions to be simulated without the need for physical testing, which can be complex to the extent of unfeasible.