Non-conductive force platforms for biomechanical studies

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Force Platforms provide critical data for human biomechanical analysis because they measure the forces of interaction between the participant and the environment. Joint forces, moments and powers can subsequently be computed using traditional inverse dynamics methods. Force platforms are particularly suitable for gait analysis and balance stability analysis. They are at the core of all movement analysis laboratories. This research proposal requests the purchase of two non-conductive force platforms to minimize signal interference with the new electromagnetic motion capture system acquired recently by my research group. This equipment is essential to the execution of my research programs. One of them is designed to quantify the mechanical contribution of the arms in maintaining the centre of gravity stability during locomotion and standing tasks. The other one seeks to understand the attentional dynamics of postural control during compensatory postural reactions in young and older adults. These research programs, necessitate a quantitative recording of the forces and moments that cause the motion of the body segments. Without this equipment, I will be unable to perform these research projects, thus hindering the development of new approaches for studying human postural control mechanisms.