PhD in Human Movement Science Labs
Dept.
of AHS | Division of Physical
Therapy | Dept. of Exercise and
Sports Science
Center for Human Movement Science
The
departments participating in the Doctoral Program offer a variety of research/teaching
laboratories.
Orthopaedic
Biomechanics Lab
Coordinator: Paul Weinhold
Faculty: Laurence Dahners, Albert Banes, Louis Almekinders,
William Garrett
Lab Resources: 500 sq.ft of laboratory space; an Instron
8500 servohydraulic materials testing machine with digital controller and an additional
interface to a PC with Instron Series IX testing software installed; 5500, 55,
5lb resistive load cells; ± 1/8" precision gage head LVDT displacement
transducer and signal conditioning unit; ±1.5mm miniature DVRT displacement
transducer and signal conditioning unit; a 10mV/g & 100mV/g piezoelectric
accelerometers with signal conditioning units; a portable SCXI data acquisition
(12 bit ADC) and signal conditioning unit (National Instruments Inc., Austin,
TX, SCXI 1200,1000, 1140) with 8 differential simultaneous sample and hold inputs
having software selectable gain and anti-alias filtering that is interfaced to
a laptop PC (120MHz Pentium) containing Labview 4.0 Graphical Programming Software
(National Instruments Inc., Austin, TX) for controlling data acquisition and processing;
2 dissecting microscopes; refrigerator/freezer; two sinks; fume hood; 2 speed
band saw; drill press; strain gauge signal conditioning instrumentation &
supplies; 2 oscilloscopes; lab bench workspace; low & high voltage power supplies;
2 signal generators; digital multimeter; surgical instruments; calibration weights;
hand drills; metal & plastic stock; hand tools; and various electronic supplies
are all present in this lab.
The Center for Human Movement Science of the Division of Physical Therapy includes thirty-five hundred square feet of research, teaching and laboratory space. This space houses three research laboratories for the study of human movement, an examination room, two professional offices, a computer room and a conference room. The laboratories include the Motion Analysis Laboratory, Motor Behavior Laboratory, and Observational Studies Laboratory. All laboratories in the Center are connected to the Internet via a T1 line with nine access terminals. The Center is staffed with a lab technician to maintain equipment and assist with student and faculty research. Computers and computer software programs are available for word processing, data analysis, graphics, programming, and statistical analysis.
Motion Analysis
Laboratory
Coordinator: Bing Yu
Faculty: Carol Giuliani,
Mike Gross, Vicki Mercer
The motion analysis laboratory has 1200 square feet
of space designed for faculty and student research for investigating normal human
movement and movement dysfunction. It has the capability for complete kinematic,
kinetic, and electromyography (EMG) analyses for a variety of movement tasks.
Research is directed at developing research paradigms related to human movements,
testing measurement instruments, and providing a scientific basis for clinical
assessment and intervention. For two- and three-dimensional kinematic analysis
the lab is equipped with a analysis system using cameras and a Peak Performance
Motion System. Video capabilities for 3D movement are augmented with a
Flock of Birds (Ascension Corp.) to analyze six degrees of freedom for selected
movements. Human movement is also measured with two Bertec force plates, and twelve
electromyography channels with preamplified surface or wire electrodes. An additional
EMG data collection system is available on a Pentium laptop for off-site data
collection. RUN Technologies software (DATAPAC) and custom software programs are
available for EMG, force plate, and movement analysis. Four camcorders and three
VHS players with frame-by-frame play back may be used for off-site data collection
and for observational analysis. The kinematic, kinetic, and electromyography data
can be synchronized for integrated biomechanical analysis.
Motor
Behavior Laboratory
Coordinator: Vicki Mercer
Faculty:
Carol Giuliani, Debbie Thorpe, Marie Reilly
This laboratory has approximately
600 square feet designed as a basic motor control and motor learning laboratory
for studying human sensory processing and motor learning. The lab is equipped
with a computer, Kistler force plate, video camera, and EMG to study balance control
across the life span. The lab is also equipped to study the effects of movement
complexity, choice of responses, attention, feedback, practice, and cues on motor
performance. Test equipment includes an interval timer and various switches, a
reaction/movement time test unit (COGNITEMP), a Fitts tapping board with interval
time and counter, two Rotary Pursuits (Layfayette), hand-held dynamometers (Chatillon),
and anticipation timer. All equipment is compatible for interfacing with
that in the Motion Analysis Laboratory.
Observational
Studies Laboratory
Approximately 500 square feet of space is
available for life span observational assessment. This laboratory is available
for analyzing the behavior of children, adults, and the elderly in keeping with
the life-span approach to human movement science. It is also equipped with a complete
video system and a custom coding system, which is interfaced with a computer for
behavioral analysis. An editing controller is used for split-screen analysis of
dyadic interactions.
Data
Analysis Room
The data analysis room houses state of the art
hardware and software for movement analysis and computer graphic generation for
human movement studies. Most computers have internet access for ease of data transfer
and communication in our local network. Several statistics packages (SPSS, SAS),
graphics packages (Sigmaplot, Excel, Cricket, Kaleidagraph), programming tools,
and media tools are also available.
DEPARTMENT OF EXERCISE AND SPORT SCIENCE
The Department of Exercise and Sport Science operates extensive facilities housed in three buildings including the multimillion-dollar Fetzer Gymnasium. The Department staffs the Exercise and Sport Science Laboratory which is equipped with over $1,000,000 worth of instrumentation for scientific research. Research facilities include four laboratories: Applied Physiology laboratory, Cadaver laboratory, Sports Medicine Facility, and Exercise Science Teaching Laboratory.
Applied
Physiology Laboratory (APL) Rm 25 Fetzer Building
Director:
A.C. Hackney
Faculty directly involved: Bonita Marks; Bob McMurray
The
Applied Physiology Laboratory (APL) focuses on studies involving the physiology
of exercise. Research approaches exercise both from a apriori (factors that affect
exercise) or aposteriori (factors that exercise affects) perspective. Current
research projects are examining the effects of vitamin E supplementation on muscle
soreness; how pregnant women respond to exercise; the affect of weight training
on nocturnal growth hormone and testosterone secretion; the inter-relationship
between the menstrual cycle, nutrition and exercise; familial components of fitness;
and the use of questionnaires to assess fitness.
The APL has the capabilities to measure metabolic rate during exercise, as well as at rest. Three computerized oxygen uptake systems exist, as well as a manual system. There are multiple treadmill and cycle ergometers to induce the exertion. The laboratory also has multiple ECGs (electrocardiograms) to monitor cardiac functioning during exercise, including an integrated stress testing system. Anthropometric measuring capabilities include a computerized underwater weighing system, impedance body fat analyzer, skinfold calipers, and a complete anthropometric measuring kit (heights, widths, girths). Pulmonary functions can be measured by either a computerized or manual spirometry system. The biochemistry area includes centrifuges, spectrophotometers (for blood and urine analyses), a fluorometer (for muscle), an osmometer, a lactate analyzer, a complete EKTACHEM DT system including the main unit, electrolyte and enzyme units, and an HPLC for measuring catecholamines. The Lab has extensive capabilities to measure most responses to exercise. There is also a fully licensed radioisotope facility within the laboratory. Office space is available within the lab setting with computers for student use. Therefore, ample facilities are available to meet the need of
the doctoral student focusing on the physiological aspects of Human Movement Sciences.
Cadaver/Anatomy Laboratory
Coordinator:
Kevin Guskiewicz
The human cadaver laboratory housed in Fetzer Gymnasium
allows for detailed study of human anatomy with an emphasis on the relationship
between structure and function. Through the use of two cadavers and several skeletal
models, students develop a better understanding of various pathologies related
to sport and human movement science. This background is essential for fostering
research questions and clinical application of anatomy.
Sports
Medicine Research Laboratory
Coordinator: Kevin Guskiewicz
Faculty: William Prentice
The Sports Medicine Research Laboratory in
the Department of Exercise and Sport Science, opened its doors in July 1996 and
joined efforts with the Department of Orthopaedics for collaborative research
in January 1999. The 1700 sq. ft. facility, located on the ground floor
of Fetzer Gymnasium, is utilized by faculty and graduate students in the Departments
of Exercise and Sport Science (Athletic training), Human Movement Science, and
Orthopaedics. The laboratory is divided into two areas:
- The Functional Assessment Room is equipped with a Biodex System 3-Pro Isokinetic Dynomometer, Peak Performance Motion Analysis System, Forceplates, Flock of Birds, Functional Activity System for Testing and Exercise (FASTEX by Cybex), Biodex Stability System, Bertec Forceplate System, Konigsberg 16 Channel Telemetry EMG System, Treadmill, VERTEC, and the NEWTEST Timing Systems;
- The Balance Room is walled off from the functional assessment area to provide for a more optimal testing environment. The room is equipped with the Smart Balance Master (by NeuroCom International, Inc.). This system can be used for both sensory organization testing as well as dynamic balance assessment (5ft. accessory forceplate). This room also houses the computer interfacing for the motion analysis and EMG systems: Additional Opportunities for Research and Experience:
The Exercise and Sport Science Department jointly sponsors with the Orange Cardiovascular Foundation (OCF), a cardiac rehabilitation program licensed by the North Carolina Rehabilitation Plan.
The OCF program is housed in Fetzer Gym and provides for practical experience and research data collection concerning the role of exercise in the rehabilitation and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Faculty and graduate student research is ongoing with this population.
Sports Medicine Clinical Services
Coordinator:
William Prentice
Faculty: Kevin Guskiewcz
The Sports Medicine facility
is a unique resource jointly sponsored by the Department of Exercise and Sport
Science and the Student Health Service. This facility serves as an instructional
base for graduate and undergraduate students in Exercise and Sport Science, and
Human Movement Science. The facility and its staff are available for all students
on campus, and it provides an almost inexhaustible source for research into questions
regarding the cause, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of exercise-induced
injuries. The facility includes state-of-the-art diagnostics, therapeutic, and
rehabilitative equipment. This includes all standard modalities for rehabilitation.