University of Southampton

The Faculty of Health Science features a series of biomechanics laboratories over two separate sites equipped with state-of-the-art equipment in which we carry out our cutting-edge research.

Motion analysis

Motion analysis has become a vital tool in the analysis of patient’s movement strategies and is integral to the research activities of the Faculty of Health Sciences. With state of the art equipment we can capture and analyse the large of movements of patient’s gait cycle to the small, intricate, and subtle movements of the hand and fingers.

Vicon motion capture systems

Housed in our Highfield campus laboratory, our Vicon system is one the highest specification systems in the country for health research. This enables us to capture the three-dimensional movement of walking, to the small intricate movements of the hand and fingers. Synchronised with our force platforms and EMG systems the system enables us to generate a complete biomechanical analysis of a patient’s movement strategies. We also have a second Vicon system which can be setup in other laboratories, or practical rooms, for capturing smaller movement tasks.

Full upper limb motion analysis

Force analysis

Synchronised with our motion analysis systems we have 3 Kistler piezoelectric force platforms which measure the ground reaction forces and moments as a person moves across them. This enables clinicians to fully assess the external forces acting on a person, to the internal muscle and joint contact forces via musculoskeletal modelling.

Our Highfield campus based laboratory has two platforms, synchronised with the Vicon motion capture system. One of these platforms is portable allowing us to reposition the platform to obtain data from activities such walking up and down stairs.

Dynamometry

To assess the forces produced by the limbs as they rotate the school has a Biodex System 2 multi-joint testing system. By assessing the torque produced at a joint, clinicians and research are able to determine the strength of patient and assess the effectiveness of a training program or determine potential sources of injury. The dynamometer also has the ability to measure proprioception, the ability to determine where your limbs are in space, which provides researchers and clinicians an insight into the level of impairment. As well as being used an outcome measure the dynamometer can be used as rehabilitation tool providing an effective and safe method of training a patient through its isokinetic capabilities.