Equipment

Motion Capture

Photo courtesy of Ed Brennen

Participant donning reflective markers for motion capture

Video of kinematic model generated from a human subject

Reflective markers, to be placed on the body, used in conjunction with infrared cameras

Infrared cameras

To measure kinematics via motion capture, a Qualisys system is used. Our eight cameras are statically affixed to a stationary truss for recording human subject body movements. Reflective markers are attached to the participant, which are sensed by the infrared cameras. Our Qualysis system allows for high quality body kinematic data to be gathered and analyzed.

Force Plate Walkway

Participant on the force plate

Video of walking (gait) data being recorded

Force plate

Tekscan Strideway

We use a 5 panel force plate walkway (Strideway by Tekscan) to collect center of pressure displacement, gait parameter, and force data. Additionally, we use this equipment in parallel with clinical assessments, such as timed up and go, and simultaneously while recording motion capture and muscle activity recordings.

Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets

Our group has several meta quest pro immersive virtual reality headsets. We use these headsets for virtual reality training using our customized visual perturbation stimulus, a modified sensory organization test, and for eye tracking.

Photo courtesy of Ed Brennen

Customized VR stimulus

Participants donning the VR headset

UMass Lowell varsity hockey athlete undergoing sensory organization testing

Surface Electromyography (sEMG)

Trigno avanti sensors from Delsys provide measurement of electric muscle activity, further accelerometry data can simultaneously be recorded. The Delsys wireless, non-invasive electrodes are affixed via double stick tape to the muscle group of interest. Sensors are commonly used to record muscle reaction time and test motor unit recruitment.

Delsys data collection software

sEMG in use

Clinical Assessments

BESS test single leg stance on foam pad

Y Balance assessment

TUG assessment

Y Balance: This clinical assessment test a one's dynamic balance and functional symmetry. Historically, this test has been used to measure risk of injury and return to sport readiness.

Balance Error Scoring System (BESS): This clinical assessment measures a person's balance via the experimenter counting "errors", or deviations from upright, of the participant. The participant balances in 3 stances (double leg, single leg, and tandem) while standing on either the hard ground or compliant foam pad, with eyes closed, leading to 6 different test conditions; each trial is 20 seconds each.

Timed Up and Go (TUG): This clinical assessment is popularly used to examine fall risk and balance. TUG involves the participant stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, and return to the chair while the experimenter records the time elapsed.

Other examples of assessments we use are the Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Activities Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), though there are many others.