Biomechanical Instrumentation
Research Project
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to provide students with the opportunity to
acquire experience in instrumentation through conducting a small-scale biomechanics
research project.
Format: Students will work individually or together in groups of two (or three if there is
an odd number of students in the class) to collaboratively carry out the assignment. All
members of each group should be involved in all phases of the assignment. Obviously, as
the number in the group increases, the scope of the project should be increased.
Topics: Students are free to choose a topic for their project that is of interest to them.
Whatever topic is chosen should be such that it involves use of at least one of the three
standard lab instrumentation systems (video, force plate, EMG), the standard lab
software, involve testing between three and six subjects, and should be such that the
testing phase can be completed in one two hour block of time (approx.)
Proposal: Each individual/group will submit a written proposal outlining their project on
2/21. The proposal should include a clear statement of the purpose of the project, a brief
review of appropriate related literature, a description of the instrumentation to be used,
and a description of the step-by-step testing protocol. This proposal will be reviewed by
the instructor and returned with comments. Once the proposal has been approved and
returned the individual/group is free to begin data collection.
Data Collection: Each group should schedule a minimum of two data collection
sessions. The first session will be for pilot testing and will consist of collecting data on
one or more members of the group for the purpose of refining the testing protocol. The
second session should be for actual data collection with subjects. Both sessions must be
scheduled in advance, using the on-line protocol for scheduling the Motion Analysis
Lab. Additional session may be necessary for data analysis and should be scheduled as
above.
Technical Support: Technical support for the project will be provided by the instructor.
Class Research Report: The class research report should consist of a presentation to
the class, using PowerPoint, that lasts between 12 and15 minutes. All members of the
group should participate in preparing the materials and actually making the presentation.
It should be organized much like a typical “Conference Research” presentation. That is,
there should be an Introduction., Purpose, Methods, and a Results/Discussion section.
Evaluation will be based on an overall assessment of the following: organization, quality
of information, quality and appropriateness of Power Point materials, oral delivery of the
information, and response to questions.
Final Research Paper: The final research paper consists of the written form of the class
research presentation. It should be written in Journal Format, and be no more than five
pages in length (double spaced and including graphs/charts). It should consist of the
same sections as indicated above. Obviously, in each, the information pertaining to each
area should be clearly written. It will be evaluated on the basis of: appropriate review of
the literature, clearly stated purpose, clearly explained methodology, clearly and logically
presented data, and a thorough discussion of the results. Also, a bibliography should be
included.