321 S. Columbia St Bondurant Hall Suite 3000; CB #7135 UNC-CH Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7135 Phone: (919) 966-4708 Fax: (919) 966-3678 eDPTUNCadmit @med.unc.edu
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.
DIVISION OF PHYSICAL THERAPY
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.
Faculty: Fred Brooks (Dept. of Computer Science), Richard Goldberg (Dept of Biomedical Engineering), Mary Whitton (Dept of Computer Science)
The goal of the Interdisciplinary Human Movement Science Lab is to understand the neurophysiological and biomechanical causes of altered muscle function and movement patterns for individuals who have had a stroke. In order to meet our ultimate goal of improving functional mobility (primarily walking) in people who have had a stroke, we are developing and assessing the effects of novel walking rehabilitation strategies. Supported, in part, by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the lab is fully equipped with an 8 camera Vicon MX40+ motion capture system, Bertec dual-belt instrumented treadmill, Motion Lab Systems 16-channel EMG system, GaitRite mat, Cybex Norm, custom-designed projection and head-mount immersive virtual environment and dynamic body weight support system. We are therefore capable of assessing human movement to improve rehabilitation strategies for individuals with a wide variety of pathologies.
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.
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.
Faculty: William Prentice, Kevin Guskiewicz, Joseph Myers, Troy Blackburn, Steve Zinder
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.
The Neuromuscular Research Laboratory is a 450 ft2 research space located in 123 Fetzer on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. The research agenda of this facility involves the investigation of neuromuscular and biomechanical factors associated with musculoskeletal function, including joint stability, muscle mechanics, postural stability, and musculoskeletal injury, disease, and rehabilitation.
The central component of the Neuromuscular Research Laboratory is a motion analysis system capable of assessing numerous aspects of musculoskeletal function and human movement. This system features an electromagnetic tracking system (Ascension Technology MiniBirds), a non-conductive force plate (Bertec 4060-nc), and an 8-channel EMG amplifier (DelSys Bagnoli-8). The facility also features a diagnostic ultrasonic system (GE LOGIQe) utilized for real-time imagining musculoskeletal tissues. Additionally, the Neuromuscular Research Lab contains a dual electrical stimulator (Grass Instruments SK-88) for eliciting peripheral neuromuscular responses. Other equipment items include tri-axial accelerometers (PCB Piezotronics), tension/compression load cells (Honeywell Sensotec), electrogoniometers (Biometrics), and hand-held dynamometers (Chatillion). The lab utilizes commercial (Motion Monitor, Innovative Sports Training) and custom (LabVIEW, National Instruments) software for data collection and reduction. This facility also includes office space equipped with multiple computers for use by graduate students and faculty.
