CSU,
Chico Biomechanics Laboratory
CSU,
Chico Biomechanics LaboratoryThe Biomechanics Lab is in Yolo Hall 116, 119, 120, and 124. The research gymnasium in Room 116 has been dedicated to Cheryl Maglischo. The lab phone number is 898-6775.
A Peak Performance Motus Video Analysis System is the primary tool in the lab. Our software includes the 2D, 3D, and automatic digitizing modules. Our hardware includes two shuttered 60 Hz video cameras, two 60 Hz VCRs, one 180 Hz camera with VCR, two monitors, two time code generators, an event synchronization unit, a 3D calibration cube, and a Pentium computer which is interfaced with a VCR.
A portable Kistler Force Plate is the secondary tool in the lab. The dimensions of the plate itself are 40x60x4 cm; we use interlocking pieces of hard rubber to build runways and the like. Although multiple configurations are possible, the portability is somewhat constrained by connections to the amplifiers and the analog-to-digital converter in the computer. Our software includes the Bioware and Power modules from Kistler.
An AmLab unit is the tertiary tool in the lab. This allows electromyographic and electrogoniometric measurements to be made.
How do humans move?
How do humans move better?
For us, better means more skillfully and/or more safely. Due to liability concerns, most of our investigations focus on the issue of skillfulness in healthy people. In general, we search for differences in technique that discriminate among performers on the clumsy-coordinated continuum. Also, we do experimental studies to see how modifications in technique affect performance.
Students in PHED 224 and PHED 324 are required to do group and individual 2D video analysis projects with the Peak Performance System. A few students choose to augment their individual video projects with data from the force plate.
Seminar students (PHED 323) and thesis students may use 2D or 3D video and/or the force plate for their analyses.
Although thesis students keep the lab busy during much of the year, the heaviest usage (70-100 hours/week) is during the last two months of each semester.
The lab is not generally available to individuals unless they are enrolled in biomechanics classes at CSU, Chico.
The Biomechanics Yellow Pages lists several vendors of biomechanics equipment. Biomechanics World Wide provides links to many labs in North America, Europe, and Australia. For low-budget biomechanics with a Macintosh AV computer, Measurement in Motion can be a poor person's Peak. For a similarly equipped PC, try the NEAT System.
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Comments: jhudson@csuchico.edu