Motion Analysis Laboratory
The UTC Department of Physical Therapy Motion Analysis Laboratory supports research, student scholarship, and hands-on learning focused on human movement. Faculty and students use synchronized motion capture, force measurement, electromyography, and wearable sensors to study movement across orthopedic, neurologic, pediatric, and performance settings.
The laboratory also supports classroom instruction, including applied learning in kinesiology, and provides opportunities for collaboration across disciplines.
Capability | Public description |
Three dimensional motion capture | An eight-camera Qualisys Miqus Hybrid system supports marker-based and markerless motion capture. Theia software creates three-dimensional movement data from synchronized video. |
Muscle activity and wearable movement sensing | Two operational Delsys Trigno systems support wireless surface electromyography and inertial measurement for the study of muscle activation and body-segment movement. |
Ground reaction force and balance | Two Bertec force plates measure forces and moments produced during standing, balance, walking, landing, and other movement tasks. |
Integrated analysis | Qualisys Track Manager, Visual3D, synchronization hardware, and analog data collection allow researchers to combine motion, force, muscle-activity, and wearable-sensor measurements when a study requires them. |
Current Research
Current projects examine trunk control in children, adaptive cycling, reactive seated balance, chronic low-back pain, hop and landing performance, dual-task walking, and the development of clinically useful movement assessments. These projects include faculty-led research, DPT student research, interdisciplinary collaboration, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publication.
Teaching and Student Learning
DPT students use the laboratory to connect movement science with clinical reasoning. Coursework such as kinesiology can use the space for demonstrations and applied learning, while student research teams participate in study design, data collection, analysis, presentation, and dissemination.
Collaboration and Laboratory Access
Faculty, students, and community partners interested in laboratory access or research collaboration may contact Frank Tudini at [email protected] or 423-425-4767.
Active and Developing Projects
Project | Lead and status | Laboratory connection |
Segmental postural control in typically developing children | Ashley Schilling; data collection and analysis completed, with related dissemination continuing | Delsys Trigno Lite IMU system and Visual3D; published reaching study and additional quiet-sitting work in development |
Adaptive tricycle seating, pedaling initiation, and power | Ashley Schilling; study design and IRB preparation in development | Qualisys and Theia markerless motion capture, Delsys Trigno, and Visual3D |
STEPS assessment for children with delayed sitting | Ashley Schilling; grant proposal and study methods in development | Synchronized trunk-mounted IMU and markerless motion capture; planned interdisciplinary engineering collaboration |
Reactive postural control in chronic low-back pain | Max Jordon; data collection ongoing and preliminary analysis completed | IMUs at the lumbar and upper-thoracic regions during seated perturbations; CSM 2027 abstract submitted |
Dual-task tandem gait and serial sevens | Max Jordon and Jenny Hogg; in development and open to collaboration | Theia markerless motion capture combined with planned fNIRS measurement |
Maximum controlled single-leg hop | Frank Tudini; multisite data collected and two manuscripts in development | Delsys Trigno IMU measurements, strength testing, hop performance, and Visual3D analysis |
Standardized hop and landing control | Frank Tudini; in development | Bertec force-plate outcomes, lower-extremity strength, and IMU-derived movement measures |
Lumbar motion and hip strength in chronic low-back pain | Frank Tudini; data collection completed and manuscript in development | Movement and strength assessment examining relationships with pain and disability |