Research Equipment
Vicon MX 3D Motion Analysis System
The 10 camera Vicon MX motion analysis system allows us to collect three-dimensional kinematic data for a wide variety of movement activities. The ten 4 mega-pixel resolution Vicon cameras provide for high quality data collection and allow us to more precisely track much smaller markers than we could with typical camera systems.
Our system is also equipped with a 64-channel A/D board for collecting analog data from the force plate, EMG, or other inputs. Vicon's WorkStation software allows all of these data to be collected synchronously.
Vicon's Real Time software allows us to visualize our 3D movement data in real time while we are collecting long-duration (sometimes up to 15 to 30 minutes) data capture trials.
Visual 3D software allows us to compute joint angles and inverse dynamics and to combine motion and analog data for comprehensive data analysis.
Bertec 4060 6-Component Force Plate
The lab is currently equiped with one force plate that allows us to collect both force and moment data in 3D. This force plate is rigidly mounted in the middle of the 10 m long overground walkway that runs down the center of the lab. The output from the force plate amplifier is integrated with the Vicon system.
Delsys Bagnoli-8 Eight-Channel Surface EMG Systems
The lab is currently equipped with two 8-channel Delsys EMG systems for recording surface EMG. This system is integrated with the Vicon system to collect EMG simultaneously with motion data.
Woodway ProXL Treadmill
The Woodway ProXL treadmill allows us to collect long-term locomotion data while very precisely controlling locomotion speed. Our treadmill is also custom-fitted with an analog tachometer that allows us to monitor the real-time actual speed of the treadmill.
Repetitive Reaching Task Simulator
The lab is equipped with a custom-built task simulator for analyzing the biomechanics and motor control of repetitive goal-directed reaching tasks. Handle movements and forces applied to the handle can be directly recorded. The task simulator can also be integrated with the Delsys EMG and/or Vicon systems.
Computational Resources
The lab is currently equipped with ten high-performance PC computers. These computers are dedicated to running the Vicon system and its associated components, to analyzing and processing the data obtained, to running the Reaching Task Simulator, and finally for doing computational modeling work.