Sudden unexpected infant death and sudden infant death syndrome, more commonly known as SUID or SIDS, is the leading cause of mortality in infants aged 1-12 months, often occurring in unsafe sleep environments or within products not designed for sleep. Yet, as Mannen notes, the role of biomechanics in these tragedies has been vastly understudied.

The study’s findings could disrupt the infant product industry in a positive way. By providing evidence-based data on how product design affects breathing biomechanics, the research aims to inform manufacturers and regulatory bodies.

This project’s integration of biomechanics and respiratory science could establish new research paradigms. For instance, it will use technologies such as motion capture cameras, respiratory monitors, and electromyography to quantify how factors like head and neck flexion or abdominal compression affect breathing. Computational modeling will complement these experimental methods, providing detailed simulations of infant respiratory mechanics under various conditions.

Mannen’s work in the Boise Applied Biomechanics of Infants (BABI) Lab is also a testament to Boise State’s commitment to experiential learning. Students in her lab are gaining hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and collaborating on high-impact research.

“This research could lay the foundation for a biomechanics-based understanding of infant respiration, influencing everything from product development to caregiving practices,” Mannen said. “We’re building the knowledge base that manufacturers, policymakers, and clinicians need to make informed decisions.”