Associate Professor Cynthia Bir (right) on the set of National Geographic Cable Channel "Fight Science" episode, "Fighting Back".

The National Geographic Cable Channel has repackaged episodes from the popular Sports Science series originally on Fox Sports Net and introduced three new episodes of  Fight Science.

Wayne State bioengineering researcher Cynthia Bir plays an important role in both series. In Sport Science - "Sudden Impact", Bir applied her knowledge in impact biomechanics to measure the forces experienced by various athletes. "The Best of Sport Science" allowed her to demonstrate how to take the principles of physics and human biomechanics, apply them to athletes, and bring them to life.

Based on the original Fight Science series airing on the National Geographic Channel in 2005, three new episodes will be featured starting Sunday, Jan. 27. The first two shows are "Special Ops" and "Mixed Martial Arts." The final show, "Fighting Back," will air in February and will demonstrate the effectiveness of self-defense techniques. In all three episodes, the use of a variety of high-tech equipment allows the audience to appreciate the science behind each topic.

 "In all the shows we've applied the tools developed in the lab to record, measure and map the speed, force and range of the human body, specifically the athlete," says Bir, who started her career as a research nurse, earned her PhD in biomedical engineering at WSU, and joined the faculty in 2000. "The final product is not only entertaining, but educational."

The National Geographic series will air on the following dates and times:

Sunday, Jan. 27

    7 p.m. The Best of Sports Science

    8 p.m.  Fight Science: Mixed Martial Arts

    9 p.m.  Fight Science: Special Ops

   10 p.m. Sports Science: Special Impact

Monday, Jan. 28 (check listings for time)

    Fight Science: Special Ops

    Sports Science: Sudden Impact

Wednesday, Jan. 30 (check listings for time)

     Fight Science: Mixed Martial Arts

     Fight Science: Special Ops

Thursday, Jan. 31  (check listings for time)

     Best of Sports Science

     Sports Science:  Sudden Impact

To view video previews of Fight Science episodes as well as of masters of self-defence, click here.

Return to this page for additional airing dates as they are announced by the National Geographic Cable Channel.