The BRL is a dedicated research facility equipped with state-of-the-art, sophisticated biomechanical measurement systems. These systems enable us to accurately measure human motion in both the laboratory and field-based environments. Equipment in the laboratory includes:
- Optotrak Certus® optoelectronic motion capture system to accurately capture three-dimensional movement of the body during activities of daily living and recreation. We also use digital video cameras and high-speed video cameras (>210 fps), either inside or outside the laboratory, to capture the body in motion.
- Kistler multichannel force platforms (400 x 600 mm) to quantify the three orthogonal components of the forces generated at foot ground contact during activities such and running and landing.
- Delsys Trigno 16 channel EMG system to measure muscle activation patterns and intensity during dynamic movements.
- Novel Emed AT4 system to measure the pressures generated on the plantarsurface of the feet during locomotor activities such as standing or walking.
- Novel Pliance system to measure the pressures generated at the skin surface under various objects, such as bra straps and backpack straps.
- Infoot 3D foot scanner to quantify the three-dimensional shape of an individual’s foot.
- Artec EVA M 3D scanner to quantify the three-dimensional shape of anatomical structures such as the breast.
- Sonosite ultrasound system for imaging internal anatomical structures, such as the fat pads under the feet or muscles of the lower limbs.
- Physiological Profile Assessment Kit to estimate falls risk in older individuals.
- Dynamic Cruciate Tester, an instrumented knee laxity arthrometer, which measures knee laxity after anterior cruciate ligament injury.
- Custom-designed monorail and harness system to ensure participant safety while we assess changes in gait while they walk on slippery or uneven surfaces and how this relates to an individual’s risk of falling.
- PowerJog GX-100 Treadmill to examine how changes in breast motion while participants walk and run.
The BRL also houses several other items for assessing and musculoskeletal structure and function such as anthropometers, calipers, goniometers, digital still cameras, and a variety of force transducers. We also use LabView, MyoResearch, Visual 3D, ToolBench, Novel software, BioWare, MatLab and AutoCAD software for data collection and analysis.