3D Analysis & Force Plates

[Guest guest]

With regards to using a force plate instead of a 3D analysis to measure the

force of martial arts kicks:

1) I am interested specifically in the performance of a particular kick as

it relates to the end result, more specifically angular acceleration,

angular velocity, moment of inertia (obviously changes dependent upon the

arrangement of the body segments about the axis of rotation),temporal and

spatial sequencing of the movements of all the body segments. Changing these

variables will obviously change the end result of a specific kick, these are

the things I want to investigate.

2) I would love to use a force plate in conjunction with a 3D analysis

but..... although the lab at my university has a number of force plates they

are all built quite nicely into the floor, and although I haven't asked I

presume that they would object to me removing the plates and mounting them

on the wall (the force plates are also used frequently, as my uni also runs a

number of podiatry and prosthetic degrees and operates commercially).

I wonder if maybe I am getting myself into something too complicated. Any

more comments, critical or constructive will be gratefully received. Thanks.

Steve Aspinall

3rd Year Undergraduate BSc Sport Rehab

University of Salford, UK.

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***I notice that you are currently registered for your 3rd year of study, so you

must be undertaking some 3rd year course project. If this is correct, then you

have chosen a research topic that is by no means easy to approach unless you

have access to someone there who can help you with 3D video analysis of movement

involving the recording of reflective or light markers placed at strategic sites

on the lower extremities. You will not be measuring force directly, but will be

making estimations based upon existing data on different body segments.

The best place to obtain guidance on this topic would be from the BIOMCH-L

Internet user group, whose membership includes several thousand of the world's

most experienced biomechanists. You may join this group at:

http://isb.ri.ccf.org/biomch-l/

When you write to this group, let them see that you have already made some

concerted attempts to look for help from various literature resources and

individuals, so that they will feel more amenable to helping you.

Dr Mel C Siff

Denver, USA

mcsiff@...