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Director: Dr. Steve McCaw vinciwhi.gif (20633 bytes)
Office: Horton 227B
Phone: 309-438-3804
Fax: 309-438-5559
E-Mail: smccaw@ilstu.edu
Biomechanics Sequence Description: 
required coursework
Courses Descriptions: 
KNR 282, KNR 342, KNR 352, KNR 482
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Biomechanics                 The study of the forces acting on a living body and the patterns of movement caused by the forces, provides insight to improving skill performance, understanding the process of skill development, and identifying the etiology of overuse injuries. The Biomechanics Lab is equipped with instrumentation for the collection and analysis of force, muscle activity and video data.
Force Data Internal muscle force interacts with external forces from gravity, friction and contact with other bodies to cause all observed human movements and injuries. Force data analysis is fundamental to understanding movement patterns and injury.

Instrumentation:
AMTI  Force Platform System: This extremely sensitive electronic scale uses a strain-gauge based system to measure and record ground reaction forces in 3-dimensions (vertical, forward/backward, side to side). It provides information on the magnitude and timing of force application. The force platform has been installed in the lab flush with the floor. It is synchronized with the high speed video analysis system.
Videography High-speed optical data collection (200 fields per second) data allows for extensive qualitative or quantitative analyses of movement. In conjunction with force platform data, our optical capture system helps quantify dynamic joint function (moments of force and mechanical power).

Instrumentation: The Vicon Nexus Optical Capture System
Recording: Ten infrared cameras allow for instantaneous motion capture at 200 Hz. The system is portable, for use in the lab or off-campus.
Data reduction: Optical tracking of the reflective markers eliminates the need for time-consuming digitizing of video images. Computer software of the Peak Nexus system allows for 2D or 3D  analysis, providing temporal and spatial variables describing motion. The kinematic variables are typically read into custom software for additional analysis.
Electromyography (EMG) Muscle activation is an electrochemical conversion of energy substrates to mechanical tension. Surface EMG records the electrical activity present in a muscle, providing information on the sequence and duration of muscle activity and the relative amount of force produced.

Instrumentation:
Electrode: secured with adhesives on the skin over the muscle to be monitored, the electrode detects electrical activity in the muscle.
Amplifiers: boost the muscle electrical signal to a recordable level. Each amplifier monitors a separate muscle. Two systems are available in the lab, allowing the researcher to use the most convenient method for a particular study.
Data Analysis: both a packaged system and custom software are available for data analysis.
Computers: The collection, processing, and presentation of biomechanics data is computer intensive. All custom lab software was developed by the lab director using QuickBasic to run on personal computers. A 64 channel Analog/Digital multiplexor board installed in the data collection computer allows for simultaneous sampling of force and/or EMG synchronized with the optical capture system.
Related Sites: Biomechanics World Wide
Lab Sign Up:   Click here to access the electronic sign up sheet.

 

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Click here to go to my main page: www.cast.ilstu.edu/mccaw/  
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last content changes: 8/19/09