Kinematic Force Calculation Without Force Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating athletes are subjective and prone to human error, relying on visual observations and time-consuming measurement techniques that are unreliable and unrepeatable, leading to inconsistent assessments of an athlete's health and performance.
Innovation Solution
A physical evaluation apparatus that includes a kinematic data capture device to obtain whole-body kinematic data and a mass data capture device to provide segmental mass data, allowing for the calculation of forces without a force plate, using a processor to analyze and output data in a digital format for objective evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual observation and manual measurement methods are used for athlete evaluation, then the evaluation process is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and reliability are poor due to subjective human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the athlete's body into multiple body segments (torso, limbs, head, etc.) and tracks each segment independently using separate clusters of markers. This segmentation allows for precise measurement of each body part's kinematic data while maintaining an overall comprehensive evaluation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual visual observation and physical measurement tools with an optical motion capture system using cameras and digital processing. This substitution transforms subjective mechanical assessment into objective digital measurement, significantly improving precision while the automated processing reduces the perceived complexity.
2Productivity
If manual measurement techniques are used, then the equipment requirements are minimal, but the productivity and evaluation speed are very slow due to time-consuming procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The motion capture system operates continuously, capturing kinematic data at high frame rates (e.g., 100-200 Hz) throughout the entire evaluation period. This continuous data collection eliminates the need for repeated manual measurements and provides real-time feedback, dramatically increasing evaluation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically processes the captured kinematic data to calculate forces, torques, and other biomechanical parameters without requiring manual intervention. The processor autonomously computes segmental forces and generates evaluation reports, making the system self-sufficient and highly productive.
3Reliability
If subjective visual assessment is used, then the testing procedure is simple, but the reliability and repeatability are poor leading to inconsistent results
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback by continuously monitoring and displaying kinematic and kinetic data during the evaluation. This real-time feedback allows for consistent, objective assessment criteria to be applied throughout the testing process, ensuring reliable and repeatable results across different sessions and evaluators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms qualitative visual assessments into quantitative parameters by measuring specific kinematic variables (positions, velocities, accelerations) and kinetic variables (forces, torques). This parameter transformation creates objective, consistent measurement standards that eliminate subjectivity and improve reliability.
4Measurement precision
If force plates are used to measure ground reaction forces, then the force measurement is direct, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses markers attached to the athlete's body as intermediaries to indirectly measure forces. By tracking the motion of these markers and applying biomechanical models, the system calculates ground reaction forces and segmental forces without requiring direct force plate contact, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical force plate measurement system with an optical motion capture system combined with computational biomechanics. This substitution uses camera-based kinematic tracking and mathematical models to derive force information, reducing hardware complexity while preserving measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A physical evaluation apparatus includes a kinematic data capture device, the kinematic data capture device being configured and disposed to obtain whole body kinematic data from a subject. The kinematic data capture device is further configured to obtain dimensions of at least one body segment. A mass data capture device is configured and disposed to obtain mass data on the subject, the mass data being separable according to body segments of a subject to yield segment mass data. A processor, is configured to calculate the force being generated by a subject of the evaluation apparatus at selectable positions or in a selectable direction. The force is calculated without a force plate.