A virtual coaching environment for improving golf swing technique

As a proficient golf swing is a key element of success in golf, many golfers make significant effort improving their stroke mechanics. In order to help enhance golfing performance, it is important to identify the performance determining factors within the full golf swing. In addition, explicit instructions on specific features in stroke technique requiring alterations must be imparted to the player in an unambiguous and intuitive manner. However, these two objectives are difficult to achieve due to the subjective nature of traditional coaching techniques and the predominantly implicit knowledge players have of their movements. In this work, we have developed a set of visualisation and analysis tools for use in a virtual golf coaching environment. In this virtual coaching studio, the analysis tools allow for specific areas require improvement in a player's 3D stroke dynamics to be isolated. An interactive 3D virtual coaching environment then allows detailed and unambiguous coaching information to be visually imparted back to the player via the use of two virtual human avatars; the first mimics the movements performed by the player; the second takes the role of a virtual coach, performing ideal stroke movement dynamics. The potential of the coaching tool is highlighted in its use by sports science researchers in the evaluation of competing approaches for calculating the X-Factor, a significant performance determining factor for hitting distance in a golf swing

Analysis of the joint kinematics of the 5 iron golf swing

The purpose of this study was to identify the performance determining factors of the 5-iron golf swing. Joint kinematics were obtained from thirty male golfers using a twelve camera motion analysis system. Participants were divided into two groups, based on their ball launch speed (high vs. low). Those in the high ball speed group were deemed to be the more skillful group. Statistical analysis was used to identify the variables which differed significantly between the two groups, and could therefore be classified as the performance determining factors. The following factors were important to performance success: (i) the ability of the golfer to maintain a large X Factor angle and generate large X Factor angular velocity throughout the downswing, (ii) maintain the left arm as straight as possible throughout the swing, (iii) utilise greater movement of the hips in the direction of the target and a greater extension of the right hip during the downswing and (iv) greater flexion of both shoulders and less left shoulder internal rotation during the backswing

Using body language indicators for assessing the effects of soundscape quality on individuals

“Sounding Brighton” is a collaborative project exploring practical approaches towards better soundscapes focusing on soundscape issues related to health, quality of life and restorative functions of the environment. The project is part of a citywide engagement process working to provide opportunities to demonstrate how an applied soundscape approach might: tackle conventional noise problems, contribute to local planning and improve the environment in areas including urban green spaces, the built environment and traffic noise. So far, a soundscape map of the city has been developed, and a public outreach exhibition and conferences have taken place. One preliminary, experimental soundscape intervention in night noise has been analysed. This paper reports on further work to develop a better understanding of the effects of soundscapes on individual and community responses to soundscape through the use of body language indicators. Two-minute excerpts of aversive and preferred music were presented to 11 healthy volunteers in a motion-capture laboratory setting. Their responses were quantified computationally using motion-capture-derived parameters for position, absolute movement speed, and stillness. The prevalence of stillness of the head height (based on a 2 cm cut-off during 2-second sectors) was significantly lower when volunteers were exposed to unpleasant music compared to preferred music. This experiment provides proof in principle that changes in soundscape can be associated with subsequent, objective and statistically significant changes in body language that can be detected computationally

Multi-segment kinematic model to assess three-dimensional movement of the spine and back during gait.

BACKGROUND Relatively little is known about spine during gait compared to movement analysis of the lower extremities. The trunk is often regarded and analysed as a single rigid segment and there is a paucity of information on inter-segmental movement within the spine and its relationship to pelvis and lower limbs. OBJECTIVES To develop and validate a new multi-segment kinematic model to assess regional three-dimensional movement of the lumbar, lower thoracic and upper thoracic spine during gait. STUDY DESIGN Observational study. METHODS The study was conducted in two parts: (1) to provide validation measures on the kinematic model built in commercially available software and (2) to apply the marker configuration to the spine at T3, T8 and L3 during gait analysis on 10 healthy male volunteers. RESULTS Proposed model revealed excellent concurrent validation measures between an applied input angle to the recorded output angle from the kinematic model. A high reliability was observed during gait analysis, both during a single session and between sessions for all participants. CONCLUSION The thoracic region of the spine should not be modelled as a single rigid segment and the proposed three-dimensional cluster is reliable and repeatable to assess the inter-segmental movement of the spine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Reliable kinematic data can be collected using the three-dimensional cluster technique, thus, allowing researchers to accurately distinguish between movement patterns of healthy individuals to those with a clinical condition, and provide confidence in data acquisition during the monitoring process of an implemented rehabilitation intervention programme

What does not happen: quantifying embodied engagement using NIMI and self-adaptors

Previous research into the quantification of embodied intellectual and emotional engagement using non-verbal movement parameters has not yielded consistent results across different studies. Our research introduces NIMI (Non-Instrumental Movement Inhibition) as an alternative parameter. We propose that the absence of certain types of possible movements can be a more holistic proxy for cognitive engagement with media (in seated persons) than searching for the presence of other movements. Rather than analyzing total movement as an indicator of engagement, our research team distinguishes between instrumental movements (i.e. physical movement serving a direct purpose in the given situation) and non-instrumental movements, and investigates them in the context of the narrative rhythm of the stimulus. We demonstrate that NIMI occurs by showing viewers’ movement levels entrained (i.e. synchronised) to the repeating narrative rhythm of a timed computer-presented quiz. Finally, we discuss the role of objective metrics of engagement in future context-aware analysis of human behaviour in audience research, interactive media and responsive system and interface design

A time series feature of variability to detect two types of boredom from motion capture of the head and shoulders

Boredom and disengagement metrics are crucial to the correctly timed implementation of adaptive interventions in interactive systems. psychological research suggests that boredom (which other HCI teams have been able to partially quantify with pressure-sensing chair mats) is actually a composite: lethargy and restlessness. Here we present an innovative approach to the measurement and recognition of these two kinds of boredom, based on motion capture and video analysis of changes in head and shoulder positions. Discrete, three-minute, computer-presented stimuli (games, quizzes, films and music) covering a spectrum from engaging to boring/disengaging were used to elicit changes in cognitive/emotional states in seated, healthy volunteers. Interaction with the stimuli occurred with a handheld trackball instead of a mouse, so movements were assumed to be non-instrumental. Our results include a feature (standard deviation of windowed ranges) that may be more specific to boredom than mean speed of head movement, and that could be implemented in computer vision algorithms for disengagement detection

A Combined Technique for Randomisation of a Small Number of Participants with a Variety of Covariates into Treatment and Control Groups in Randomised Controlled Trials

Background: Randomised controlled trials are widely favoured in research design as the most rigorous way of determining the effectiveness of a treatment. For assigning a small number of participants who are identified before the start of the randomisation into treatment and control, the simple randomization technique can lead to imbalance of covariates among the groups. Furthermore while the stratified randomization method can control for the effect of covariates, in smaller clinical trials, the allocation of participants to groups by flip of a coin can result in uneven arms when the number of participants in each stratum in low. Despite the ability of covariate adaptive randomization technique in minimising the difference in covariate between the arms, the techniques comes with an unnecessary increase in the computational process specifically when number of covariates increases, and when all participants are identified prior to the randomisation. The purpose of this study was to propose a method of assigning small number of participants (68) who are identified before the start of randomisation, into treatment and control arms. Methods: The participants were first assigned into strata. For strata with even number of participants, the participants are sequentially pulled out of the strata on a random basis and assigned to arms by flip of a coin until half of the participants are assigned to any of the two arms. Then the remaining participants were assigned to the other arm. When the number of participants in a stratum is odd the first participants was pulled out of the stratum on a random basis and kept separate, then the remaining even number of participants were assigned to arms according to the method for strata that contain even number of participants. The first participants that were pulled out of the strata with odd number of participants were assigned sequentially using covariate adaptive randomisation method. Results: Two arms were created with minimal difference between the two arms and with the sum of absolute difference equal to 12. Conclusions: The method showed to be able to assign small number of participants into balanced arms with minimal computational costs when a number of covariates exist

Identification of the biomechanical performance determining factors of the 5 iron golf swing when hitting for maximum distance

Golf is a very popular sport with approximately 289,120 people playing golf in Ireland(European Golf Association, 2008). The amount of scientific research that has been conducted into the biomechanics of the golfer and club is limited, with the majority of the research focusing on the golf drive. The purpose of this study was to identify the biomechanical performance determining factors of the 5-iron golf swing when hitting for maximum distance. Golfer joint kinematics, club swing characteristics and weight transfer data were obtained from thirty male golfers. This data was collected using a twelve camera (250 Hz) motion analysis system (Vicon, Oxford Metrics, UK), Pro V Swing Analyser (Golftek, USA) and a pressure plate (100 Hz) (RSscan Lab Ltd., UK). Participants were divided into two groups, based on their ball launch speed (high vs. low). Those in the high ball speed group were deemed to be the more skillful group. Statistical analysis was used to identify the variables which differed significantly between the two groups, and could therefore be classified as the performance determining factors. Eight key events were identified during the swing for analysis (take away, mid backswing, late backswing, top of backswing, early downswing, mid downswing, ball contact and mid follow through). Significant differences were found between the two groups for club speed, club impact point, the majority of the measured joint angles and angular velocities (X Factor, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip and knee) and weight transfer at a number of the key events. Two mechanisms are proposed to explain the greater generation of ball speed in the high ball speed group and these are discussed in relation to the results for the individual joint kinematics

Spatial data correlation: an interactive 3D visualisation tool for correlating the motion capture data streams from difference devices

We have developed an interactive, three-dimensional visualisation that plots individual motion capture data streams so they can be visually inspected concurrently to yield a unified, multimodal view of the complex problem. The primary objective in this study is to facilitate analysis of groups of putatively correlated time series with large numbers of data points. Our unique contribution is that we have developed a three-dimensional data visualisation tool with fly-through data capabilities, in order to distinguish false correlations from genuine correlations

Assessment of lower leg muscle force distribution during isometric ankle dorsi and plantar flexion in patients with diabetes: a preliminary study.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in ankle muscle strength using hand-held dynamometry and to assess difference in the isometric muscle force distribution between the people with diabetes and control participants. METHODS The maximal muscle strength of ankle plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, eversion, inversion, lesser toes flexors and extensors, hallux flexors, and extensors was assessed in 20 people with diabetes and 20 healthy participants using hand-held dynamometry. The maximal isometric ankle plantarflexion and dorsiflexion were imported to OpenSim software to calculate 12 individual muscle (8 plantarflexors and 4 dorsiflexors) forces acting on ankle joint. RESULTS A significant reduction in ankle strength for all measured actions and a significant decrease in muscle force for each of the 12 muscles during dorsi and plantar flexion were observed. Furthermore, the ratios of agonist to antagonist muscle force for 6 of the muscles were significantly different between the control group and the group with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS It is likely that the muscles for which the agonist/antagonist muscle force ratio was significantly different for the healthy people and the people with diabetes could be more affected by diabetes