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Thursday, 19 December 2019 18:03

Kinemov/IBV. A tool that simplifies the analysis of human movements Featured

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Daniel Iordanov López1, Juan López Pascual1, Salvador Pitarch Corresa1, Alejandro Gamón Sanz1, Francisco Parra González1, Jesús Sellés Vizcaya1, Ignacio Bermejo Bosch1y2, Xavier Andrade Celdrán1

(1) Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV). Universitat Politècnica de València (Edificio 9C) Camino de Vera s/n (46022) Valencia (Spain).

(2) Grupo de Tecnología Sanitaria del IBV, CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN).

There are currently many tools that make it possible to study the human body in motion. However, most of them require high technical training in order to be able to define and carry out any type of study. Kinemov/IBV is a solution that seeks to make the analysis of human movements easier for users who have no specific knowledge of biomechanical modeling. The application collects information through photogrammetry cameras, force platforms and surface electromyography. It also includes predefined models and integrated kinematic and dynamic calculations, which make it possible to study any manner of movement and generate configurable and exportable results reports, according to the needs of the user.

INTRODUCTION

Techniques for the analysis of human movements make it possible to characterize, through objective measurements, a person’s behavior as they undertake day-to-day activities, work tasks or when they take part in sport.

♦ Some typical applications of the study of the human movement are:

♦ Assessment and monitoring of conditions that affect mobility (e.g. alterations in the nervous or the musculoskeletal system)

♦ Prevention and monitoring of and recovery from injuries Improvement in sports performance

♦ Training optimization

♦ The design of prosthetics, orthopedic devices and sports accessories

The execution of a study with photogrammetry, force platforms and surface electromyography (EMG) usually requires knowledge in advanced biomechanics, because it implies the design of a model and the programming of calculations in order to obtain variables and relevant parameters. For this reason, groups that seek to use movement analysis for applications beyond what is standardized (e.g. the analysis of gait or running) tend to be supported by technically trained personnel. 

OBJECTIVES OF Kinemov/IBV

The objective of Kinemov/IBV is to provide a fast, objective, reliable and very simple method that simplifies the execution of studies of human movement in an autonomous way, without the need for any assistance from staff with specific training in biomechanics.

To do so, Kinemov/IBV focuses on the reduction of analysis times and on the interpretation of results through easily customizable reports, agile report templates for studies repeated over time, and the ability to easily export both variables and generated reports.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Kinemov/IBV

Kinemov/IBV is a computer application for the analysis of human movements based on standardized biomechanical models and measuring protocols defined by the user themselves. The application has been especially designed for use in biomechanical research and the analysis of human functions in any field. Its main characteristics are:

♦ It can be integrated with EMG / Dynamometric platforms / Photogrammetry

♦ It features multiple biomechanical models to study the movement of the joints of the human body in a combined or individualized way.

♦ It the reports it produces are configurable with biomechanical parameters and graphic information selected by the user.

♦ It has open measuring procedures to study any relevant human function.

♦ It is easy to operate.

♦ It offers the ability to export data to standard formats, to thereby enable a more in-depth analysis of the results.

MEASURING PROCESS WITH Kinemov/IBV

Kinemov/IBV is designed to make the analysis of human movements simple and intuitive. From deciding the study to be carried out, to obtaining a report with the obtained results, the measuring procedure can be summarized in 5 stages: (Figure 1):

Figure 1. Stages of the measuring process with Kinemov/IBV

The main functionalities of the application are described below:

Input of data from the measuring session

The user has all the necessary fields to input the relevant information about the subject and the measuring session being performed: history, name, anthropometric data, observations, etc.

Figure 2. Data input window for a session

Selection of biomechanical model and guided instrumentation

The Kinemov/IBV system is loaded with biomechanical models with which to study different joints of the human body. Each model includes: the anatomic location of the set of markers to be used, the connections between them, and the calculations of the relevant biomechanical variables.

The application allows the user to use biomechanical models in a simple way, graphically selecting the body section they wish to measure. Next, the application shows the user how to prepare the subject in order to perform the measuring (Figure 3).

The models of developed markers are based on validated and published models (e.g. Plug in Gait, International Society of Biomechanics), following these criteria for their definition:

♦ Reduced number of markers: the number of markers depends on the number of joints that the user wishes to study, the fewer the joints, the fewer the markers.

♦ Simplicity of use: easy choice of the model and an intuitive sequence of movement recording.

♦ Marker placing: location of markers in areas that are easy to implement and specific instructions for their positioning.

The system currently incorporates the following models:

♦ Model of the entire body

♦ Model of an upper limb (bilateral, left or right)

♦ Model of a lower limb (bilateral, left or right)

♦ Model of a knee (bilateral, left or right)

♦ Model of an ankle (bilateral, left or right)

♦ Model of a hip (bilateral, left or right)

♦ Model of a knee and ankle (bilateral, left or right)

 

Figure 3. Selection of model, location of markers and calculated variables

Recording of the gesture

The recording process consists of the following steps: preparation of the subject, setting the reference position, and obtaining the movement sequences.

The flexibility of Kinemov/IBV makes it possible to record every session and to then view and interpret them once all the recordings have been finished, or, on the contrary, review the results after each recording to verify that the result was as expected.

For every recording, the user can modify the conditions of the measuring by editing the name of the study, varying the frequency of data capture or changing the duration and the start options of the recording.

The system can be configured to simultaneously register different recording techniques:

♦ Kinescan/IBV photogrammetry system.

♦ Using EMG equipment makes it possible to simultaneously register electromyography signals, both in bulk signal and in RMS value.

♦ The Dinascan/IBV force platforms make it possible to register in a synchronous way the forces exerted, their point of application and the applied momentum.

Figure 4. Recording process of a study. Instrumentation (left) and recording window (right)

Analysis of gesture

In this stage, the model is digitized and the recording can be confirmed by viewing the information received from the marker trajectories, force platforms, EMG and cropped analysis scenes. Kinemov/IBV calculates the main parameters for each joint of the human body, according to the selected model.

 

Figure 5: Display of the results of the studied movement. Example of a graph of the temporal evolution of knee angle

The results obtained from the analysis of the assessed gesture are classified in:

♦ 3D view of the marker model in free and orthogonal perspectives.

♦ Evolution over time of the trajectories of the markers on the three axes of space (X, Y, Z).

♦ Variables of joint angles (º) and angular velocities (º/s) over time of the joints of the biomechanical model in different anatomic axes.

♦ Calculation of parameters: the application makes it possible to select a relevant region in any of the curves (e.g. the angle) and to calculate parameters such as the maximum, minimum, average, standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV) of all the tests carried out.

♦ Variable variable graphs, which make it possible to study the joint coordination (angle vs. angle) or the harmony of the movement (angle vs. velocity).

♦ Reaction forces (N) and point of application of the force.

♦ Bulk and RMS EMG signal (optional if used alongside compatible EMG equipment).

Generating reports and exporting results

Once all the recordings have been completed, the application automatically calculates the kinematic variables (angles and velocities). From this information, the user will be able to select the variables they wish to see on screen, in graphic and/or numeric format, and to introduce their comments to prepare the reports.

Configuration of the Report

The Kinemov/IBV software has been developed with the objective of simplifying the work of professionals, which is why all the reports are completely customizable, and allow the assessor to freely select all the variables they wish to reflect.

The user may add to the customized report any relevant variables, the graphs to view them or the comments they consider appropriate to explain the results. This information may be structured in the order chosen by the user.

Figure 6: Example of a results report in the making

 The construction of the graphs is done in an intuitive way, simply selecting and moving the variable to be represented from the side menu to the body of the graph. The user can then edit the information of the graph as desired (title, caption, repetitions represented, etc.). The construction process for parameter tables is also carried out directly on the report, without the need to introduce additional formulae or calculations.

Also, Kinemov/IBV includes the functionality to produce report templates that are easily configurable and adaptable to studies repeated over time. When performing a new measurement with the same protocol, the user can load the saved screen and use the preconfigured report with the relevant information already structured.

Exporting Results

One of the main advantages of the Kinemov/IBV system is its simplicity when it comes to exporting reports and data.

The system makes it possible to export the results of the analysis in a standard format (.txt, . C3d, .trc), which makes it possible to perform a more in-depth analysis of the results using scientific or statistical analysis applications.

In addition, in order to make it easier to print and edit the reports, these can be generated both in PDF and Word formats.

Figure 7: Exporting reports in Word

 

ADVANTAGES of Kinemov/IBV

Agility:It is possible to perform a study of human movements in a few minutes by using the Kinemov/IBV application, obtaining a personalized report.

Simplicity: The sequential structure of the application, the template of pre-existing models and the customized report allow simple handling and easy interpretation of the information obtained.

Adaptability: The ability to create personalized reports in an easy and intuitive way allows the user to gather in the same report the information they consider to be most relevant in order to ascertain the final state of the subject.

Cost-efficiency: Using marker models, especially those designed for use in a clinical or research environment, reduces the preparation times for the subject and thereby allowing more time for collecting and analyzing measurements.

 

Read 1415 times Last modified on Friday, 20 December 2019 09:31



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