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Micro-technology applications in health and sport
Abstract

Micro-technology applications in health and sport

Brendan J Burkett
2007 University Research Conference Book of Abstracts, p.7
University Research Conference: Advancing Sustainable Regions, 2007 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 21-Nov-2007)
2007
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Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science inertial sensor units human movement
Inertial sensor units are becoming increasingly prevalent in measuring and tracking human motion in both health and sport applications. The inaugural sensors were developed within the CRC for Microtechnology, and USC currently has two PhD projects utilising this technology. One project is in health (tracking the movement profile of stroke patients), and one is in sport (measuring the kick in Olympic and Paralympic swimmers). The results of these projects have been to firstly validate these new sensors within a quality control environment, and secondly to collect data outside of the typical laboratory environment. A key feature of this research is the diagnostic potential for people whose difficulties in daily life are not readily reproduced in clinical situations. These research findings assist the identification of risk factors in daily living, as well as providing proactive feedback to improve the movement pattern or sports performance. Typically, these sensors have focused on single unit motion analysis using accelerometers or the like. Our future research, with industry collaborators of the Australian Institute of Sport, CSIRO, NICTA and hardware/firmware manufactures Catapult, is to expand the single unit systems into a full body system. The addition of multiple units and multiple sensors within each unit requires significantly greater complexity in defining the orientation and movement of each sensor unit with respect to the other units for multi-segment movement patterns. The continued research and development in this area will enable objective feedback to health and sport applications, particularly for research outside of the traditional laboratory.

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