Sports Biomechanics Laboratory
Research Field
📌 Professional Background
- Deputy Researcher, Taiwan Institute of Sports Science (since 2024)
- Ph.D., Human Physiology / Exercise Movement Science, University of Oregon, USA (2005)
- Industry experience as R&D Manager and Innovation Studio Founder (Taiwan)
- Former Assistant Professor (product design), Tainan University of Technology (Taiwan)
- Former Assistant Research Professor, National Cheng Kung University Advanced Medical Device Technology Center (Taiwan)
- Former Assistant Professor at University of Nebraska at Omaha & Duquesne University (USA)
🔬 Research Interests
- Sports biomechanics & motion analysis (force–time curves, RFD, coordination metrics)
- Youth athlete development & bio-banding (maturity offset stratification, longitudinal monitoring)
- Medical device & product innovation (rehabilitation tools, sports equipment, biomedical implants)
- Applied analytics & data integration (coach-friendly KPIs, predictive modeling)
🏆 Notable Achievements
- Publications in Journal of Biomechanics, Foot & Ankle International, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, IJERPH
- Holder of multiple patents in Taiwan & internationally (decellularized corneal scaffolds, inflatable mattress systems, suspension baby beds)
- Principal Investigator for NSTC & Ministry of Education funded projects in sports science and product innovation
- Bridging sports science, biomedical engineering, and industrial design for cross-disciplinary impact
🌍 Impact in the Field
- Advanced evidence-based training in youth sports, especially rowing, by integrating biomechanics and maturity stratification
- Innovated medical and sports technologies enhancing athlete safety, rehabilitation, and performance monitoring
- Strengthened global knowledge exchange through international teaching and research experience
🤝 Commitment to Mentorship
- Hands-on guidance in biomechanics data collection & analysis
- Interdisciplinary training across physiology, engineering, and design
- Career development support with transferable skills for academia & industry
- Promoting inclusive growth and fair opportunities for diverse student backgrounds
✨ Summary
Dr. Shing-Jye Chen is a cross-disciplinary scholar whose expertise in biomechanics, medical device innovation, and youth athlete development positions him as a strong mentor and leader. His work not only advances scientific understanding but also translates into practical tools that improve training fairness, athlete safety, and long-term talent cultivation.
📌 Internship Research Areas — TISS Sports Biomechanics Lab
Principal Investigator: Dr. Shing‑Jye Chen
| Research Area | What Interns Will Do | Skills You’ll Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Rowing Biomechanics | Assist in ergometer and on‑water testing; collect force–time curve data; analyze peak force and RFD | Motion capture, force sensor calibration, biomechanical data analysis |
| Current Project (Internal Funding) | Validate and test reliability of Novel loadsol foot‑stretcher sensors and Novel hand‑grip force sensors on rowing machines and sculling boats; synchronize with direct load cell pulling force data | Data synchronization, validity & reliability testing, advanced sensor integration, applied biomechanics |
| Maturity Stratification (Bio‑banding) | Apply anthropometric measurements to estimate PHV maturity offset; help stratify athletes into Pre‑, Circa‑, Post‑PHV groups | Growth & development assessment, statistical modeling, fairness in athlete grouping |
| Coordination & Motion Analysis | Use IMU systems to capture joint sequencing, rhythm, and bilateral symmetry; process kinematic data | Sensor technology, signal processing, coordination metrics |
| Prediction Modeling (Land‑to‑Water) | Contribute to building models linking ergometer KPIs to on‑water performance; assist in recalibration with longitudinal data | Mixed‑effects modeling, PCA/fPCA, predictive analytics |
| Applied Innovation | Explore prototype development for sports and rehabilitation tools; support visualization dashboards for coaches | Product design thinking, KPI visualization, interdisciplinary collaboration |
✨ Summary for Applicants:
This 3‑month internship at the TISS Sports Biomechanics Lab offers the chance to work on cutting‑edge rowing biomechanics projects, including the validation of novel force measurement systems. Interns will gain hands‑on sensor experience, advanced data analysis skills, and mentorship, while contributing to impactful research that bridges laboratory innovation with real on‑water athlete development.
🚣 Current Project — TISS Internal Funding (Rowing/sculling Biomechanics)
Project Title
- Validation and Reliability of Novel Force Measurement Systems in Adolescent/Elite/Adult Rowing
Background
- Rowing performance depends on precise biomechanical monitoring. Traditional ergometer load cells provide direct pulling force data, but new wearable and sensor technologies (e.g., Novel loadsol in-shoe force sensors and hand grasping sensors) offer additional insights into foot‑stretcher loading and hand‑grip dynamics. Synchronizing these signals with rowing machine and on‑water sculling measurements is crucial to ensure data validity and reliability.
Objectives
- Data Synchronization: Establish robust synchronization protocols across ergometer load cells, loadsol sensors, and hand‑grip force sensors.
- Validity Testing: Compare sensor outputs against gold‑standard load cell measurements during rowing machine trials.
- Reliability Assessment: Conduct repeated trials to evaluate intra‑ and inter‑session consistency in both land‑based and on‑water sculling contexts.
- Applied Translation: Integrate validated force metrics into KPI dashboards for coaches, linking land‑based ergometer data to on‑water rowing performance.
Methods
- Instrumentation: Concept2 ergometer with direct load cell pulling force measurement
- Novel loadsol (foot‑stretcher force)
- Novel load hand sensors (grip force)
- IMU systems for motion synchronization
Testing Protocols:
- Baseline ergometer trials (lab setting)
- On‑water sculling sessions with synchronized force and motion capture
- Reliability checks via repeated measures and ICC analysis
Expected Outcomes
- Validated multi‑sensor force measurement system for rowing biomechanics
- Reliability indices for novel loadsol and hand‑grip sensors in adolescent athletes;
- Integrated data synchronization pipeline for land‑to‑water translation
- Practical tools for coaches to monitor technique, force application, and progression
✨ Summary for Applicants:
This internally funded project at TISS Sports Biomechanics Lab offers interns the chance to work directly on cutting‑edge sensor validation in rowing biomechanics. Participants will gain experience in data synchronization, validity and reliability testing, and applied performance modeling, contributing to a project that bridges laboratory innovation with real on‑water athlete development.
🏅 Honor — TISS Sports Biomechanics Lab (PI: Dr. Shing‑Jye Chen)
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Principal Investigator
Funded projects in health-care biomechanics in infant-sleeping aired mattress product innovation.
International Academic Recognition
Publications in leading journals (Journal of Biomechanics, Foot & Ankle International, IJERPH, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport).
Patent Holder
Inventor of several Taiwanese and international patents, including decellularized corneal scaffolds, multi‑functional inflatable mattress systems, and suspension baby beds.
Cross‑disciplinary Leadership
Experience as Assistant Professor in the United States (University of Nebraska at Omaha, Duquesne University), and Assistant Research Professor at National Cheng Kung University.
Mentorship Excellence
Recognized for guiding students in interdisciplinary projects combining biomechanics, physiology, engineering, and design.
✨ Summary for Applicants:
The PI and the TISS Sports Biomechanics Lab have earned national funding, international publications, and patents, reflecting strong academic credibility and innovation. Interns joining the lab will be mentored in a research environment that values excellence, innovation, and global collaboration.
🎓 Educational Background — Dr. Shing‑Jye Chen
Ph.D. in Human Physiology / Exercise Movement Science
University of Oregon, USA — 2005
M.S. in Exercise Movement Science
University of Oregon, USA — 2000
B.S. in Exercise Movement Science
University of Oregon, USA — 1997
Associate Degree in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology
Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan — 1989
✨ Summary for Applicants:
Dr. Chen combines a strong foundation in clinical medical sciences (radiology, anatomy, physiology) with advanced training in sports biomechanics and exercise science from the United States. His international academic journey equips him to mentor interns in both rigorous scientific research and applied innovation.
Job Description
Required Skill Sets and Qualities
The candidate must bridge the gap between engineering, AI, and human movement science.
Technical Expertise:
• Biomedical Engineering (BME) Foundation: Strong knowledge of human body motion/kinematics, anatomy/physiology, and kinetics.
•[needed] Programming & Development: Proficiency in Python and Visual Studio; comfortable with GitHub for collaborative coding and version control.
• [needed] Problem-Solving: Ability to resolve complex technical issues related to sensor synchronization and data noise in field-based sculling environments.
•[plus- AI & High-Performance Computing: Experience with AI-based prompt writing for various platforms and familiarity with NVIDIA CUDA Isaac for accelerated simulation or robotics-based biomechanical modeling.]
• [plus-Modeling Software: Hands-on experience with AnyBody or OpenSim for musculoskeletal simulation.]
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Based on the focus on academic publication, the preferred candidate levels are:
• Master’s or PhD Students: Highly preferred due to the required depth in biomedical engineering and independent research capabilities.
Skill sets or Qualities
Ideal Personality Traits & Lab Fit
The TISS lab is a "living laboratory" that values interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal intern should possess:
• Research-Driven Mindset: A strong motivation to contribute to the institute’s mission of transforming theoretical data into practical training protocols.
• Interdisciplinary Flexibility: The ability to communicate technical engineering concepts to coaches, athletes, and physiologists.
• Proactive Innovation: As TISS is a young and rapidly evolving institute, the intern should be comfortable helping to shape workflows and tools from the ground up.
• Meticulous Attention to Detail: Essential for managing high-precision datasets from SIMI motion analysis and Noraxon IMU systems.
The students, who specialize in programming/coding in 1. Phython/2. Visual Studio code/3. Google AI studio-Vibe Code with Gemini/4. Matlab, etc., are the main potential candidates working in this stage of the lab.
Internship-related fee required by the school/institution
Fees and Living Expenses
The Taiwan Institute of Sports Science (TISS) does not charge tuition or internship fees for international interns. However, interns are responsible for their own living expenses during the internship period, including accommodation, meals, transportation, and personal expenses. TISS may assist in providing information or recommendations for nearby accommodation if needed.
Estimated Living Expenses (3-month Internship)
- Accommodation: NTD 30,000–45,000
- Meals:
• Lunch at staff cafeteria (NTD 135/meal, 5 days/week): ~ NTD 8,100
• Other meals: NTD 18,000–24,000 (off TISS) - Transportation: NTD 3,000–4,500
- Personal living expenses: NTD 6,000–9,000
Total estimated cost for 3 months: approximately NTD 65,000–91,000