This project measured degradations in human performance from jumping showing ongoing stress and fatigue. From the force and time data, simple kinematic degradations in performance can easily be visualized, and the condition can be improved by making minor changes.
Human Studies: Research & Development
Artificial Neural Networks are utilized to optimize conditions based upon real-time data collected.
In this study we explore the Running Economy (RE) of marathon runners. With ambulatory accelerometers mounted in the metatarsal region of the athlete's foot, we are able to measure changes in RE as the athlete executes a daily run. To optimize the athlete's performance, we modify their daily running routine and are able to measure improvements in economy over a 6 week period
The measurement of subtle conditional degradations that occurs in periodic human conditions such as running or walking is sometimes difficult in the time domain.
These conditions are present at times during an event and may vanish for a period as we compensate for them.
IHFE employs our own novel approaches and conversions of accelerometer data, which allows us to pick up failures and injuries before they become debilitating in an athlete. These include: Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT), Short Term Fourier Transformation (STFT), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN).
Treadmills are typical for runners when weather conditions do not permit outdoor running. The treadmill however is less than a fully accurate representation of a running condition.
Treadmills typically speed control the tread and force the runner or walker to match the speed of the device thus the tread is actually driving the walker or runner. When a runner or walker is on pavement or motivating on their own they drive the pavement so that they can maintain forward motion.
For a treadmill to be an accurate representation the subject on the treadmill must set the speed and the mill must only impose a load. To effectively implement this type of design the mill requires a very stiff drive line matrix and must load control allowing the subject to set speed.
We have undertaken a considerable amount of research and development in this area in terms of control, power transmission, and the human control condition. We have developed drivelines whereby the motor in located in the rolls to significantly elevate the overall driveline stiffness. This driveline drive from one set of rolls and brakes from the other.
