All the right moves

Yes, I was a trampolinist for almost 10 years when I was younger. I used to train with Sophiane. Trampolining is a very technical sport where several factors have to be taken into account to determine the best technique to use. So I became interested in biomechanics while I was still an athlete. I needed to understand acrobatics first, so the transition to biomechanics research was a natural one, as it allowed me to combine two of my passions: physics and trampolining.

I've worked with the Canadian trampoline team throughout this Olympic cycle as a biomechanist. My role is not to coach them; they have an excellent coach for that. Rather, my role is to help the athletes correct mistakes they keep repeating. At their level of practice, athletes generally have good enough control of their bodies to make modifications to their movements. When things go wrong and they can't do it, it's often because the movements they're trying to modify are biomechanically useful: they allow them to turn faster, for example. My role is to find another way of having them achieve the same acrobatic result without being penalized by the judges. Let's say, for example, that Sophiane has an arm sticking out in the middle of her movement, which results in a deduction of 0.1 points. I could, for example, advise her to twist by making a wider movement with her legs.

I've been really lucky: the athletes have trusted me, even though sometimes my suggestions for techniques are different from what they're used to hearing. Sometimes I can see in their faces that they think my ideas are strange, but through discussion we always come up with a solution that works and that they're comfortable trying. It's super satisfying when I manage to help them correct a flaw they've been working a long time to correct without success. They're usually very grateful then.

At the time, I was analyzing every technical detail we'd been working on. Then when we found out she'd won bronze, I was so happy for her. She's been working for this for years and she deserves it so much.

Yes, it's a big step. But I'm passionate about research and already have other projects in the pipeline.

Yes, I'm going to continue with a post-doctorate. But before I do, over the next few months I'll be meeting with Canadian coaches and other biomechanics experts to share the results of my doctoral research. I'd like to pass on as much of the expertise I've acquired in aerial acrobatics as I can, to help our athletes in other sports, things like diving, gymnastics and freestyle skiing.