Understanding Biodex Strength Testing and Inertial Measurement Unit Based Measurement Assessments of Wheelchair Users Performance
Mentor 1
Jacob Rammer
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
Approximately 10% of individuals in the U.S. have a physical disability and over 3 million Americans utilize wheelchairs in their everyday life. The research activity aims to improve patients’ quality of life by utilizing devices such as the Biodex and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to provide specific rehabilitation programs and ultimately, better rehabilitation outcomes. The two devices are used to assess the physical capabilities and performance of wheelchair users. The Biodex is a reliable, valid, gold standard muscle strength and endurance measurement device. The Biodex measures strength, which is a good indicator of someone’s physical capabilities, in this case, the person’s ability to propel themselves from point a to point b as well as in their everyday tasks. Whereas the IMU is a device that measures acceleration, orientation, and angular velocity of the object/subject it is attached to. The IMU device is a wearable device and measures the velocity in terms of how fast they’re able to move around and gives information on how the user can adapt to their own environment outside of rehabilitation. The data from these devices will help improve rehabilitation training programs provided to these types of individuals and provide newer technology and strategies to assess wheelchair users. Preliminary findings will be expected to convey velocity of wheelchair movement and measurements from different joints’ range of motion and torque during strength tests. The results will essentially conclude that the two devices utilized in the research activity are valid methods in assessing wheelchair users’ physical capabilities and limitations. Overall, this research topic will be very beneficial in future biomedical research by looking into the Biodex and IMU devices to help quantify an individual’s natural ability to perform a physical act given their disability and the use of wheelchair.
Understanding Biodex Strength Testing and Inertial Measurement Unit Based Measurement Assessments of Wheelchair Users Performance
Approximately 10% of individuals in the U.S. have a physical disability and over 3 million Americans utilize wheelchairs in their everyday life. The research activity aims to improve patients’ quality of life by utilizing devices such as the Biodex and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to provide specific rehabilitation programs and ultimately, better rehabilitation outcomes. The two devices are used to assess the physical capabilities and performance of wheelchair users. The Biodex is a reliable, valid, gold standard muscle strength and endurance measurement device. The Biodex measures strength, which is a good indicator of someone’s physical capabilities, in this case, the person’s ability to propel themselves from point a to point b as well as in their everyday tasks. Whereas the IMU is a device that measures acceleration, orientation, and angular velocity of the object/subject it is attached to. The IMU device is a wearable device and measures the velocity in terms of how fast they’re able to move around and gives information on how the user can adapt to their own environment outside of rehabilitation. The data from these devices will help improve rehabilitation training programs provided to these types of individuals and provide newer technology and strategies to assess wheelchair users. Preliminary findings will be expected to convey velocity of wheelchair movement and measurements from different joints’ range of motion and torque during strength tests. The results will essentially conclude that the two devices utilized in the research activity are valid methods in assessing wheelchair users’ physical capabilities and limitations. Overall, this research topic will be very beneficial in future biomedical research by looking into the Biodex and IMU devices to help quantify an individual’s natural ability to perform a physical act given their disability and the use of wheelchair.
