The ISU Biomechanics Laboratory is located on the ground level of the School of Kinesiology/McCormick Hall and is connected via skywalk to the Illinois State University Student Fitness Center. The dedicated motion analysis lab space constitutes 1650 square feet with additional 1000 square footage dedicated to a laboratory/graduate student office, a teaching/seminar smart classroom, an EMG and Video analysis suite, a clinical evaluation/isokinetic testing room and a large storage room.
Equipment:
- 4 AMTI force plates
- 2 Portable/wireless Hawking Dynamic G-5 jump plates
- 5-work stations networked to a 13-Vero cameras, Vicon Inc
- 2-work stations networked to a 12-MX&TX cameras, Vicon Inc
- 8-optitrack prime color cameras, Theia Markerless Inc
- 8-sensor portable liberty/polhemus electromagnetic tracking system with short- and long-range sensors.
- 8-channel hardwired Delsys/Bagnoli EMG system + trigger module with surface (8 single and 4 double differential) and indwelling electrodes.
- 8-sensor portable Trigno-Avanti wireless biofeedback EMG system, Delsys Inc
- 2 Tendo power analyzers, Tendo Inc
- 4 Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Vicon system compatible
- a Biodex 9000 Isokinetic system
- Hand-held hydraulic dynamometer, Lafayette Instrument
- Treadmill
- Portable, turfed regulation pitching mound
- Portable, turfed golf platform and cage
- Numerous linear and tri-axial transducers and accelerometers
Software
- Vicon/Nexus 4.21
- Theia 3D
- Visual 3D software – 5 license/stations
- Delsys EMG Works licenses
- Opensim
- Matlab licenses
- Python
Staff
- 1 full time laboratory/GA manager
Research
Current research includes:
- tactical assessment in police/firefighter and military populations.
- sport performance and enhancement in collegiate athletes.
- Computational modeling (opensim) of strength training techniques (hexbar, jump squat, hang power-clean, hang high-pull, mid0thigh pull).
- sport biomechanics performance and injury identification in youth, collegiate and professional baseball pitchers.
- computational modeling (opensim) of baseball pitching
- sport performance and injury identification in youth and collegiate golfers.
- biomechanics of running.
- Computational modeling (opensim) of jogging and running mechanics.
- pre- and post-surgical therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of upper and lower limb injuries.
- functional and prophylactic assessment of hip, knee and ankle braces.
- gait and functional assessment of neurologically impaired (MS, Parkinson’s, TBI, stroke). The laboratory has strong collaborative ties to the Illinois Neurological Institute (https://www.osfhealthcare.org/services/neurosciences/) and with numerous orthopedic and physical therapy clinics throughout the region.