The Motion Analysis Laboratory uses advanced technology to help children, teens and young adults move and walk better. The Motion Analysis Lab allows doctors to analyze muscle, joint and nerve problems that affect a person's ability to walk. How it Works Using computers and cameras, motion analysis allows the person's walking cycle to be reproduced onto a computer graph.
Every muscle gives off an electrical charge when it is working.
A physical therapist attaches sensors to the surface of the patient's skin to monitor the muscles' electrical activity. In addition to the sensors, reflective balls are taped to the patient's legs to measure the movement and rotation of the joints. As the patient walks, force plates built into the floor record the balance, direction and weight distribution. High-resolution video cameras record the displacement and rotation of the limbs. The computer combines the images from the cameras to produce a three-dimensional image of how the child walks.