Wits Physiotherapy Movement Analysis Laboratory
The Wits Physiotherapy Movement Analysis Laboratory, Movement Lab in short, supports a wide range of research-related programmes for the biomechanical, kinematic and kinetic analysis of human movement.
PROJECTS
Analyses of low back injury in tennis players, of joint angles and the activity of muscles during balance tests, of muscle activity in soccer players with and without a history of hamstring injury and of running biomechanics and injuries, are amongst the wide variety of applied movement analysis projects that are currently being conducted in the Movement Lab. Investigations into the kinematic factors associated with injury in musicians and validity testing of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) are other noteworthy projects.
Research projects that have previously been conducted include an assessment of the biomechanical characteristics of backward walking, investigations into the intrinsic factors associated with low back pain in physiotherapy students and the prevention of injuries in cricket fast bowlers. Analyses of golf swing kinematics and the effect of kinesio-taping, of golf swing kinematics and the associated muscle activation, as well as of the dorsiflexion range of movement and hip kinematics, and centre of mass in ballet dancing also featured in earlier research projects conducted by the Movement Lab.
EQUIPMENT
Amongst other innovative research equipment, the Movement Lab houses equipment such as a 12 camera kinematic analysis system, a pressure plate walkway, a 2D electrogoniometer, inclinometers, a Bioharness system®, a Flexchair®, a rehabilitative diagnostic ultrasound unit, a wireless electromygraphy (EMG) system, as well as an Xsens® inertial sensor system.
VISION
The vision of the Movement Lab is to prevent and remediate physical impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions through research into the analysis of human movement. The team strives towards extending the body of information pertaining to both basic and applied science that ultimately has an impact on, and translates into change in real-life situations within the South African context and beyond.
The Movement Lab is being coordinated by Dr Natalie Benjamin-Damons, natalie.benjamin-damons@wits.ac.za
