The Biomechanics and Motor Control Laboratory, BMC
The BMC laboratory has an essential function at GIH in research and teaching in the field of biomechanics and motor control. Various scientific questions can be answered by using equipment and methods for studying human movement and its neuronal, muscular, and mechanical effects.
BMC's three laboratories
The BMC laboratory consists of three specific laboratories:
- The Motion Analysis Laboratory,
- The Strength laboratory
- The Neurophysiology Laboratory
The Motion Analysis Laboratory
In the Movement Analysis Laboratory, advanced biomechanical techniques are used for the measurement and analysis of, for example, three-dimensional (3D) movement and force.
The laboratory has an optoelectronic motion analysis system for recording motion in a 3D volume and two floor-mounted force plates. In addition, there is a range of other equipment for measuring movement and force. During data collection, all measuring equipment in the laboratory can be synchronized.
Available methods in the Movement Analysis Laboratory
- Motion analysis system with 20 cameras for recording 3D motion.
- Power plates where two are floor mounted and two are portable. These measure the reaction force from the substrate in three dimensions.
- Electromyography, EMG, for investigation of neuromuscular activation and coordination.
- Pressure distribution soles for calculating pressure distribution under the foot, for example, during walking and running.
- Pressure distribution mat for calculating pressure distribution under the contact surface, for example, between the palm and the golf club shaft.
- Treadmill with accurate control of walking or running speed and slope of the surface.
- Ergometer bicycles for testing biomechanical variables during cycling.
- Miscellaneous force and other sensors.
The Strength laboratory
The strength of the laboratory is the isokinetic dynamometer that allows precise control of rotational speed and range of motion in all major body joints. Joint angle, reaction force, and moment of power during movement are recorded. Measuring equipment such as EMG, movement analysis systems, and ultrasound can be synchronized with measurements in the dynamometer.
Available methods in the Strenght Laboratory
- Isokinetic dynamometer for measuring torque, reaction force and joint angles during isometric muscle contraction and during controlled movements at a predetermined speed.
- Ultrasound system for guiding EMG electrode placement, visual inspection of muscle and tendon dynamics, and quantitative analysis of muscle and tendon dynamics while simultaneously recording with the motion analysis system.
- Electromyography, EMG, for investigation of neuromuscular activation and coordination.
The Neurophysiology Laboratory
The neurophysiology laboratory is primarily equipped with tools to measure neural strategies for motor control and the effects of physical activity on nervous system function.
Some of the methods in the Neurophysiology Laboratory
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation, TMS, for investigating corticospinal excitability and plasticity of the motor cortex.
- Electrical stimulation to investigate the regulation of spinal cord reflexes, electromechanical properties during motor tasks, central fatigue, etcetera.
- Electroencephalography, EEG, for studies of motor control and cognitive functions.
- Electromyography, EMG, for investigation of neuromuscular activation and coordination.
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy, FNIRS, can be used for blood flow measurements in the brain, that is brain activity, during, for example, a cognitive or motor task.
- Computerized cognitive tests.
- Transcranial Doppler for measuring blood flow velocity in the large vessels of the brain.
On this page
Contact
Docent, Deputy head of Department, Senior lecturer, Laboratory managerMarcus Mobergmarcus.moberg@gih.se+46 8-120 53 875
