| CODE | POD5032 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Biomechanical Instrumentation in the Measurement of Human Performance | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Podiatry | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides the theoretical to practical link by emphasizing on the practical aspects of acquiring human movement and force data and its interpretation, together with relating the results to the student's professional background. Practical topics covered include measurement of motion, force, pressure and muscle activity by utilization of 3-D optical motion capture systems, force plates, foot switches and surface electromyography. Major issues dealt with during this module include measurement protocols, validity, reliability, repeatability and reproducibility of human biomechanical testing. This study-unit will provide the student with practical knowledge in a broad range of biomechanical testing apparatus that would later provide the basis on which subsequent expertise will be built up on a particular system for utilization in the final research project. By the end of this unit, students should be able to competently perform motion analysis acquisition, including kinematic and kinetic examinations utilizing the latest technology available for clinical biomechanics. Other practical competencies include the writing and interpretation of clinical biomechanics reports, including electromyographic data, foot pressure mapping and force measurement data, which are integrated within kinematic reports. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to: - Provide a solid foundation for practitioners and scientists wishing to embark on practical force and movement data capture, such as gait analysis; - Promote high quality practice in the acquisition and interpretation of biomechanical data; - Give the opportunity to practitioners and scientists wishing to pursue further education and training in the practical aspects of clinical biomechanics; - Equip students with the necessary skills to perform reliable testing of human movement, such as gait analysis, to be later related to their professional practice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Relate theoretical to practical aspects of clinical biomechanics; - Critically evaluate research in the field; - Develop research protocols utilizing a range of specialized biomechanical tools; - Be aware of the pitfalls and reliability issues relating to the various acquisition systems; - Develop and justify management regimes based on an understanding of the biomechanics of the human body. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Reliably use innovative biomechanical acquisition and measurement methods during both research and clinical practice; - Critically evaluate the relevance of each acquisition system with regards to human movement in health and disease; - Competently perform reliable motion analysis acquisition, including kinematic and kinetic examinations utilizing the latest technology available for clinical biomechanics; - Write and interpret clinical biomechanics reports, including electromyographic data, foot pressure mapping and force measurement data, which are integrated within kinematic reports. Main Text/s: - Perry J. 1992. Gait Analysis: Normal and pathological function. Slack Inc: Thorofare - Criswell et al. 2011. Cram's introduction to Surface Electromyography - Richards, J. 2008. Biomechanics in Clinic and Research. Churchilll Livingstone: Edinburgh. Supplementary readings: - Whittle, F. An Introduction to Gait Analysis. Butterworth-Heinemann - Robertson, DGE et al. 2004. Research methods in biomechanics. Human Kinetics: Ilinois - Brinkmann et al. 2002. Musculoskeletal biomechanics. Thieme: New York - Valmassy,R. 2008. Clinical Biomechanics of the lower extremity. Mosby: Missouri. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Independent Study & Practical | ||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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