Design of an experiment for the biomechanical and thermal analysis of athletes during prolonged running exercise

Biomechanics and thermoregulation of human running are key aspects playing an important role in the training of professional athletes. In the case of a prolonged exercise, as occurs during the marathon race, the intensity and duration of the exercise (in concert with environmental conditions) can affect the thermoregulatory response and the running mechanics. The aim of this study is the design of a novel experiment able to simultaneously capture information concerning the biomechanics of lower limbs and the surface temperature map of the whole body during a prolonged running exercise on treadmill. Kinematics quantities, such as linear and angular displacement, velocity and acceleration of relevant body markers are recorded by a video system, while surface temperature evolution on time is detected by an infrared thermal camera. A group of five amateur athletes, with long experience in long-distance running competitions, was involved in this study. Results for the sample group, in terms of kinematic (displacements and angles) and thermal (local and total-body skin temperatures) quantities, revealed features related to individual response to the effort. Even though the relatively little number of athletes does not permit to infer general conclusions, the combined mechanical and thermal experiment is deemed to be a useful tool for the investigation of endurance running characteristics

Probabilistic inversion: a preliminary discussion

We continue the discussion on the possibility of interpreting probability as a logic, that we have started in the previous IMEKO TC1-TC7-TC13 Symposium. We show here how a probabilistic logic can be extended up to including direct and inverse functions. We also discuss the relationship between this framework and the Bayes-Laplace rule, showing how the latter can be formally interpreted as a probabilistic inversion device. We suggest that these findings open a new perspective in the evaluation of measurement uncertainty

Toward a formal theory of the measuring system

Measurement aims at obtaining a numerical description of objects/events/persons in real world by means of a measuring system. Measurement is widely used as a key way for obtaining high quality information from the real world. across disciplines. In the present day. there is growing consensus in holding that measurement is characterized by the use of something that qualifies as a "measuring system". Therefore. we discuss sufficient conditions for an empirical system to qualify as a measuring system

Instantaneous centre of rotation in human motion: Measurement and computational issues

The instantaneous centre of rotation plays an important role in biomechanical modelling and physical-medical interpretation of human gestures. Therefore, we consider its measurement, based on video-image acquisition and processing of human motion records. Measurement and computational aspects are discussed, including the evaluation of measurement uncertainty and the estimation of the effect of some influence quantities on the determination of the position of the instantaneous centre of rotation

Validation of Estimators for Weight-Bearing and Shoulder Joint Loads Using Instrumented Crutches

This research paper aimed to validate two methods for measuring loads during walking with instrumented crutches: one method to estimate partial weight-bearing on the lower limbs and another to estimate shoulder joint reactions. Currently, gait laboratories, instrumented with high-end measurement systems, are used to extract kinematic and kinetic data, but such facilities are expensive and not accessible to all patients. The proposed method uses instrumented crutches to measure ground reaction forces and does not require any motion capture devices or force platforms. The load on the lower limbs is estimated by subtracting the forces measured by the crutches from the subject’s total weight. Since the model does not consider inertia contribution in dynamic conditions, the estimation improves with low walking cadence when walking with the two-point contralateral and the three-point partial weight-bearing patterns considered for the validation tests. The shoulder joint reactions are estimated using linear regression, providing accurate values for the forces but less accurate torque estimates. The crutches data are acquired and processed in real-time, allowing for immediate feedback, and the system can be used outdoors in real-world walking conditions. The validation of this method could lead to better monitoring of partial weight-bearing and shoulder joint reactions, which could improve patient outcomes and reduce complications

Biomechanics in crutch assisted walking

Crutch-assisted walking is very common among patients with a temporary or permanent impairment affecting lower limb biomechanics. Correct crutches’ handling is the way to avoid undesired side effects in lower limbs recovery or, in chronic users, upper limbs joints diseases. Active exoskeletons for spinal cord injured patients are commonly crutch assisted. In such cases, in which upper limbs must be preserved, specific training in crutch use is mandatory. A walking test setup was prepared to monitor healthy volunteers during crunch use as a first step. Measurements were performed by using both a motion capture system and instrumented crutches measuring load distribution. In this paper, we present preliminary tests results based on different subjects - having a variety of anthropometrical characteristics - during walking with parallel or alternate crutches, the so-called three and two-points strategies. Tests results present inter and intra subject variabilities and, as a first goal, influencing factors affecting crutch loads have been identified. In the future we aim to address crutch use errors that could lead to delayed recovery or upper limbs suffering in patients, giving valuable information to physicians and therapists to improve user’s training

Loudness measurement by robust magnitude estimation

Published in: Proceedings of the 14th Joint International IMEKO TC1 + TC7 + TC 13 Symposium : "Intelligent quality measurements - theory, education and training" ; in conjunction with the 56th IWK, Ilmenau University of Technology and the 11th SpectroNet Collaboration Forum ; 31. August - 2. September 2011, JenTower Jena, Germany. - Ilmenau : Univ.-Bibliothek, ilmedia, 2011. URN: urn:nbn:de:gbv:ilm1-2011imeko: