Biomechanics Research Facilities - Musculoskeletal & Joint Testing

Laboratory Set-up equipment

Approaches for measuring and imaging human dynamics and individual joint biomechanics & integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to musculoskeletal, biomechanics and biomedical engineering research, applications and translation.

Equipment Name	Make/Model	Details
Qualisys Motion Capture System 1	Qualisys Oqus 700+ 10 camera set, plus Oqus 210c video camera	Qualisys Motion Capture System - Human Movement Laboratory.
Qualisys Motion Capture System 2	Qualisys Oqus 700+ 12 camera set, plus Oqus 210c video camera	Qualisys Motion Capture System - Human Movement Laboratory
Bertec Force Platforms	Bertec 4060-10-1000 Force Platforms	Force platforms for measuring human movement.
Bertec Portable Force Plate	Bertec 4060	Portable force plate allowing flexible data collection for clinical and gait analysis in a variety of settings.
Bertec Instrumented Staircase	Bertec	Instrumented portable staircase with instrumented hand rail. Consists of 3 instrumented steps + a non-instrumented top balcony (total of 4 steps).
Delsys sEMG Wireless Electromyography System	Delsys Trigno 32 Channel Wireless EMG system	Wireless Electromyography system for measurement of muscle activity.
Tekscan Tactile Force and Pressure Measurement Walkway	Tekscan Walkway HRV6 HR system kit	Tactile force and pressure measurement walkway.
GAITRite Portable Pressure Mat	GAITRite Platinum	Portable walkway to measure temporal and spatial gait parameters.
Xsens Body Inertial Measurement Sensors	Xsens Awinda	Xsens Wearable wireless body inertial measurement sensors for full body motion analysis technology 3D kinematics.
Tekscan Plantar Pressure System	Tekscan F-Scan VersaTek	In-shoe Pressure Measurement System.
K-Scan joint analysis system	Tekscan K-Scan	Tool to measure how the contact surfaces of articulating bones are functioning and loading for objective joint analysis.
GeneActiv Human Activity Monitors	ActivInsights GeneActiv	Activgraphy devices for human activity monitoring.
Biodex isokinetic dynamometer	Biodex System 4	Tool to measure muscle and joint strength, power, edurance and range of motion.
Instrumented Staircase	Bertec	Instrumented portable staircase with instrumented hand rail. Consists of 3 instrumented steps plus a non-instrumented top balcony (total of 4 steps).
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) DEXA Bone Density Scanner	Hologic – Vertec Discovery (Delphi-A) QDR Series	DXA uses low dose ionising radiation to produce images of the body to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral composition (BMC), and overall body composition.
Bi Plane X-Ray system	Cardiff University has a custom designed and built Fluoroscopy Laboratory, with capabilities unique in the UK	Highspeed dynamic biplane X-Ray system capable of up to 125 FPS pulsed and 1000FPS for continuous X-Rays. Can be integrated with motion capture analysis.
Bruker SkyScan MicroCT	Bruker Skyscan 1272.	High-Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy for non-destructively imaging samples for life science, electronics, geology and bone.
Samsung portable ultrasound	Samsung RS80A ultrasound	High quality Ultrasound with a number of linear ray transducers suitable for use for MSK, abdomen, vascular and small organs. Also able to be used for a variety of research purposes on materials e.g. gels.
Arctec Space Spider 3D Scanner	Arctec Space S	The space spider is a handheld 3D scanner which digitizes 3D images from real life objects with fine precision.

Principles and Procedures of Coordination Exercises with examples

 

Principles and Procedures of Coordination Exercises

·         Constant repetition of a few motor activities

·         Use of sensory cues (tactile, visual, proprioceptive) to enhance motor performance

·         Increase of speed of the activity over time

·         Activities are broken down into components that are simple enough to be performed correctly.

·         Assistance is provided whenever necessary.

·         The patient there fore should have a short rest after two or three repetitions, to avoid fatigue.

·         High repetition of precise performance must be performed for the engram to form.

Whenever a new movement is trained, various inputs are given, like instruction (auditory), sensory stimulation (touch), or positions in which the patient can view the movement (visual stimulation) to enhance motor performance.

 

Examples of Coordination Exercises

·         Simple One-Leg Balancing

·         Complex One-Leg Balancing

·         Balancing on Hands and Knees

·         Twist Jumps

·         Balance Beam Exercises

·         Obstacle Course

·         Hopscotch

·         Ball Exercises

·         Heel-To-Toe Exercises

 

Game Oriented Coordination Exercises

·         Balloon Tossing

·         Juggling

·         Small Ball Tossing

·         Jump Rope Drills

·         Target Practice

·         Ball Toss from Different Positions

·         Balloon Hockey / Football / Volleyball

·         Dribbling (high, low, different positions)

·         Wall Ball Bounce (alternate)

·         Targeting through Rings

 

Principles of Active and Passive Exercises

Overload: A principle of exercise that states that the only way to improve fitness is to increase over time. This can mean increasing the amount of resistance, increasing the amount of time, or increasing the speed.

Progression: A principle of exercise that states that a person should start slowly and increase exercise gradually.

Specificity: A principle of exercise that states that specific kinds of exercises must be done to develop specific aspects of the body and specific aspects of fitness. Basically, exercise in a manner that will get you to your goals.

Reversibility: This principle states that if you don‘t maintain a regular exercise program, your state of physical fitness will regress. In other words, use it or lose it!

Individuality: This principle maintains that no two individuals will benefit from exercise exactly the same way physically or psychologically. Difference in genetics, age, experience, body size, and health status can all affect the outcomes of a workout.

Massage - Classification & Techniques

 

Classification of massage:

1.      Stroking manipulations

2.      Pressure manipulations

3.      Percussion manipulations / Tapotment

4.      Shaking manipulations

Stroking Manipulations:

·         Effleurage: always performed in a centripetal direction.

·         Stroking: can follow by any direction - needs contact and continuity throughout.

Pressure Manipulations:

·         Friction: small, deep, penetrating movements performed in a circular direction.

·         Kneading: type - thumb, elbow, fingertip, finger pad, heel pad.

·         Ironing: one hand reinforces the other to get the maximum depth.

·         Picking up: press muscle, squeezed and relaxed.

·         Rolling: lift up the skin & then moves keeping a roll of skin.

Percussion manipulations / Tapotment:

·         Hacking: Elbow flexes and wrist extended. like a " karate "

·         Clapping: Hands & fingers are cupped. Must use towel to avoid pain.

·         Beating: use anterior aspect of middle phalanges.

·         Pounding: Use ulnar border.

Shaking manipulations:

·         Vibrations: place hand over the other & fine shaking by ulnar & radial deviation.

·         Shaking: give traction and shaking the end of limb.

 

Care and treatment of unexposed injuries (closed injuries/wounds):

 

“SHOULD FOLLOW RICER THERAPY”

·         To care for a closed wound, you can apply an ice pack to the area to decrease bleeding beneath the skin.

·         Applying cold also can be effective in helping to control both pain and swelling.

·         Fill a plastic bag with ice and water or wrap ice in a wet cloth and apply it to the injured area for period of about 10 to 15 minutes. (Time may vary based on skin tolerance)

§  Place a thin barrier between the ice and bare skin. (like oil)

§  Apply the ice pack for periods of 10 minutes on and off.

§  Elevating the injured part may help to reduce swelling; however, do not elevate the injured part if it causes more pain.

·         Do not assume that all closed wounds are minor injuries. Take the time to find out whether more serious injuries could be present. (AD - Assessment & Diagnosis)

·         With all closed wounds, help the person to rest in the most comfortable position possible. In addition, keep the person from getting chilled or overheated.

·         It also is helpful to comfort and reassure the person.

·         Be sure that a person with an injured lower extremity does not bear weight on it until advised to do so by a medical professional.