Motion Study Laboratory
Located at LSCVAMC
The Motion Study Laboratory (MSL) under the direction of Dr. Ronald J. Triolo occupies approximately 2100 square feet of space in LSCVAMC. This facility was newly renovated in late 2018 and upgraded with state-of-the-art instrumentation for the biomechanical, metabolic and functional assessment of human movement, and the implementation and clinical evaluation of open- and closed-loop neuroprosthetic systems. Central to this laboratory is a 70-foot walkway instrumented with force platforms, motion capture system, and multi-channel EMG and other equipment for complete analysis of the biomechanics and physiology of human performance. The laboratory is equipped to monitor exercise, measure muscle strength and endurance and collect biomechanical data related to all types of human motor performance.
Instrumentation available in this laboratory include: a) a VICON VANTAGE motion capture system (Oxford Metrics, Inc.) with real time visualization capabilities via 16 high-speed, high resolution V5 cameras that support acquisition of full resolution (5 megapixel) data at rates up to 420 FPS, b) three AMTI biomechanics platforms (Watertown, MA) embedded in the floor for measuring ground reaction forces and moments; c) both tethered EMG amplifiers (Cambridge Electronics) with stimulus blanking circuitry and wireless EMG data acquisition (Delsys, Inc.); d) Cosmed K5 wearable metabolic analyzer for recording breath-by-breath gas exchange, ambulatory energy consumption and cardiopulmonary function; e) custom xPC Target Matlab-based (Mathworks, Inc) real-time stimulus control apparatus capable of open or closed loop control of surface, percutaneous or implanted electrodes; f) a SafeGait 360° Balance and Mobility Trainer, which is a dynamic body-weight support and fall protection system; g) strain-gage instrumented crutches, walkers and parallel bars for recording support forces on assistive devices; h) instrumented chairs, ramps, staircases and handrails for quantifying sit-to-stand transitions, transfers and stair ascent/descent, i) digital video recording and editing stations; j) modified recumbent tricycles and adapted rowing machines for use for individuals with paralysis, k) a standing frame, exercise equipment and other clinical supplies required for gait, balance and transfer training and l) a SureHands electric mobile lift that will allow users with limited mobility to be comfortably lifted and safely moved.
The MSL also contains four linear actuators for applying systematic perturbations (Copley Controls, Inc.), which are capable of applying position or force specific perturbations of up to 400N. Actuators are mounted onto custom-designed constructs that are fixable to ground or wall locations within the laboratory and can be arranged orthogonally (left, right, front, or back) to a subject standing on the embedded force platforms, sitting in the middle of the work volume of motion capture cameras, or walking on an ADAL3DM-F-COP-Mz instrumented split-belt treadmill (Techmachine, Inc.). Two SmartWheel instrumented wheelchair pushrims (Out-Front, Inc) are available to measure the kinematics and kinetics of manual wheelchair propulsion in the laboratory or other environments.
Photo: Engineer Mike Miller and participant
