Sustaining life is important, but we also need to think about how we can ensure that people are healthy enough to do the things they enjoy.
When Mickelle MacCabe (EXSC ’25) sprained her ankle, she had no idea the injury would spark an interest in muscle mechanics—eventually lending new insights into how the body heals and moves. “I sprained it during the semester in which I took a class from Dr. Bruening,” MacCabe shares, “and who better than a biomechanics professor to explain in detail what had happened to me?” What began as a casual conversation about her injury fostered a deeper curiosity regarding the mechanics of muscle movement. Eager to learn more, MacCabe joined the Bruening research team alongside Logan Smith (EXSC ’26).
Together, the researchers explored the influence of the flexor hallucis longus muscle on healthy foot function. Investigating how muscle contraction angles impact force production, their work offers meaningful insights for treating foot pathologies and improving physical rehabilitation, especially in cases of injury or chronic conditions like cerebral palsy. Smith shares MacCabe’s passion for the work, describing it as a rare opportunity to work on research with a broader impact. “A lot of research today often targets one very narrow issue,” he explains. “But this project feels different. It’s exciting to be part of something that’s going to be applicable not just to one problem, but to a wide range of rehabilitation and clinical settings.” Their research not only provides a deeper understanding of a critical muscle but also sets the stage for broader innovations in rehabilitative care.
“Have you ever pushed against a door and noticed that the closer the angle, the harder it is to open the door?” MacCabe asks. “Now imagine the same concept applied to muscles—the angle at which they contract can directly affect the amount of force they produce.” The team’s research has revealed that the strongest force is produced when the foot is at 90 degrees with the big toe extended.
This research has the potential to provide physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) with evidence-based information to develop optimal exercises for patients undergoing rehabilitation. As MacCabe explains, PTs focus on improving gross motor skills, like walking, while OTs address fine motor skills, such as helping patients complete daily activities. “People always say, ‘PTs help you walk; OTs help you walk with clothes on,’” MacCabe chuckles. Though distinct, both medical disciplines will benefit equally from the results of the study.
The research, funded by a $2000 CURA grant, involves ultrasound and MRI analysis to study muscle-tendon interactions. The 18 participants studied had results showing muscle force output and movement during ankle articulations. To better understand muscle movement, the team used Ultrasound scans to study movement of the flexor hallucis longus tendon, revealing muscle activity during what was initially thought to be a static, isometric exercise. MRI data collection is still ongoing to further investigate muscle-tendon interactions.
Smith’s experience as a CNA allows him to view the project’s potential through a uniquely empathetic lens. “I work with a lot of patients that have lost the ability to walk,” he shares, “and I think it's important that as a society, we focus on improving the quality of life, not just life itself. Sustaining life is important—your heart should be working; your lungs should be working—but we also need to think about how we can ensure that people are healthy enough to do the things they enjoy.” Smith’s work on this project allows him to contribute to this dream by directly addressing the information gap that inhibits physicians from treating physical challenges as efficiently as possible.
Working on this project has strengthened the faith of both student researchers. “It’s been an extremely innovative process,” MacCabe states. “It's been really cool to learn from my professors, to hear the testimonies that they have of God, of the church, of even BYU as an institution, and the importance of having spiritual knowledge.”
Similarly, Smith has gained a deeper appreciation for the design of the human body. “My testimony of that has really grown. Even though I'm focusing on just one specific area right now, it's amazing to see how everything relates and how God truly designed our bodies to be so interconnected.”
MacCabe and Smith’s award-winning research on the flexor hallucis longus muscle not only earned them first place in the exercise sciences category at the Life Sciences Research Conference, it also highlights the critical intersection of science and application. The team’s research supports the idea that faith is not separate from scientific discovery but is in fact an essential part of it. For MacCabe and Smith, science has not only brought them closer to understanding the complexities of the body but has also brought them closer to understanding the Creator who designed it.