Beyond the Crease: Jasmine Kwan's Goaltending Research Earns International Spotlight

Wishing Dalhousie Women's Hockey alumna Jasmine Kwan, the best of luck as she presents her research this week at the 10th World Congress of Biomechanics in Vancouver, BC! Jasmine is once again proving that the crease isn't just a place to defend - it's a place to discover.

 

Her undergraduate honours thesis, completed in April 2025, explored a topic few have studied: the biomechanics of goaltender glove positioning during simulated gameplay. As a member of the Dalhousie Tigers women's hockey team, she brought firsthand experience to her research. She also coaches minor hockey goaltenders, giving her valuable insight into performance and coaching methodology. Through an extensive literature review, she identified a significant gap in the field: much of goaltending instruction is based on subjective observation rather than objective data.

 

Now pursuing her master's degree under the supervision of Dr. Ryan Frayne, Jasmine is building on that work by using electromyography (EMG) to examine muscle activation patterns in goaltenders.

 

Beyond its academic contributions, Jasmine's research has important practical applications. "If players understand how fatigue affects goalies, they can use that tactically," she explains. "And for strength and conditioning coaches, this data can help design training programs that mitigate those effects."

 

The World Congress of Biomechanics is one of the world's premier conferences in the field, bringing together researchers, clinicians, engineers, and students from around the globe to share ideas and showcase the latest advances in biomechanics.

 

This year's Congress features a diverse scientific program covering both established and emerging areas of research, including wearable sensor technology, artificial intelligence, regenerative medicine, and novel medical devices. Alongside research presentations, attendees will participate in workshops and networking opportunities that foster collaboration and inspire the next generation of innovation in biomechanics.

 

We are proud to see Jasmine's research recognized on the international stage and look forward to following her continued success as she makes her mark in the field of biomechanics research.