a body containing lengths of fiber embedded therein is formed by providing a winding fixture including a plurality of parallel support rods spaced apart in a z - direction . a length of a fiber is wound over the rods such that a portion of the fiber extends in the z - direction , to form a skeletal structure . the fiber may be coated , as with a resistive material to modify energy absorbtion , after winding . the skeletal structure is filled with foam , and the support structure is removed to leave a structure in which discrete lengths of fiber embedded in the foam lie parallel to the z - direction . the fibers may be transferred to a sheet of uncured polymeric material by placing the foam piece in contact with the sheet of polymeric material and forcing the fibers into the sheet under an applied pressure .