The Motor Learning/Biomechanics Laboratory

 

The motor learning/biomechanics laboratory is located in Pershing Building, and is utilized by students and faculty for class activities and research endeavors. 

In Motor Control we study how our nervous system controls movement and how our sensory systems work to contribute to movement control.  To study the contribution of the visual system to the control of a particular movement, we could manipulate vision by closing the eyes or modifying how the subject sees the environment through lighting, visual displacement goggles, or other means. 

The study of Motor Learning, which is based on various principles of psychology and neurophysiology, addresses the factors which influence the learning and subsequent performance of movements.  For instance, how do motivation, fatigue and/or body-shape impact the learning of a complex skill, such as a back-handspring? 

Various equipment used in the Motor Learning and Control Laboratory include:  Neuromuscular vibrators modify the proprioceptive sensory system to understand its contribution to movement control.  Vision displacement goggles modify the visual system to understand its contribution to movement control.  Reaction timers, anticipation times, depth perception

 

To examine the techniques involved in sports and everyday tasks we use Biomechanics.  For us, Biomechanics is the study of human motion in a variety of contexts.  We evaluate movements qualitatively and quantitatively using equipment that provides data about the mechanical and neuromechanical aspects of motion.  The biomechanics equipment includes the Vicon Peak Motus system, video data collection equipment, Dartfish software, a force platform, bioamplifiers, timing lights/pads, and goniometers.