Biomechanics Laboratory

Movement is basic to all human activities, whether blinking an eye or performing the most physically demanding and sustained exertion. Understanding how movement is controlled, and how movements may be influenced by external factors, is of interest to both occupational and recreational fields. Understanding the impact of clothing, equipment or drugs on movement can just as successfully help to optimise the operation of personnel working in hazardous environments or the performance of an athlete.

The Biomechanics Laboratory is used to measure and study human motion. We use a number of established protocols, techniques and equipment to assess a variety of performance and movement criteria. The flexibility of the equipment enables usage both inside and outside the lab.

Peak Motus 3-D motion analysis system
This is a precision measurement instrument designed to locate and track retroreflective markers moving in a calibrated measurement space (about 15 metres long and 8 metres wide in our lab) using conventional cameras. The system can be used outside the laboratory. It can also synchronize voltage recordings from a wide range of transducers, such as electromyograms (EMGs) or force plates.

Kistler force plates
These are mounted in the floor and are used to measure ground reaction forces, in three-dimensions.

High speed video cameras (up to 2000 pps)
These enable movements to be viewed and analysed in a greater detail than the conventional 50Hz cameras.

Electromyography
Muscle activity data are collected by either a Neurolog 12-channel EMG system and recorded directly to a computer or a 24-channel Delsys Myomonitor logging system, which can be used as two independent systems. Stick-on surface electrodes are placed on the skin over the muscle of interest and record its electrical activity. The Delsys system allows data to be collected outside the laboratory.

Dynamometer
The lab is equipped with a Kin-Com AP dynamometer enabling isometric, isokinetic and isoacceleration movements of various body joints. Electrogoniometers and accelerometers are used to measure joint angles and accelerations respectively.

Applications

• Assessment of lower limb forces relating to musculoskeletal injuries
• Assessment of footwear and insoles relating to cushioning effects and energy conservation
• Bipedal gait analysis of athletes
• Measurement of force generation: investigating weight transfer and efficiency of movement
• Measurement of muscle activation levels and patterns during walking and running, and during take-off (jumps)
• 3-D motion analysis, both conventional and high speed, to monitor techniques and technical/biomechanical flaws associated with athletic events