Three-Dimensional Kinematics of the Upper Limb During Four Functional Lifting Tasks

Abstract

Kinematics is a branch of classical mechanics responsible for the description of the motion of an object, or series of objects, in space. This study uses 3-D motion capture to record the motion of the torso and upper extremities during four functional lifting tasks. The tasks are part of a series of standardized tests developed to assess difference in healthy and sub-acute low back-injured populations. The purpose of the study is to develop a method to quantify the 3-D kinematics of the upper extremity and trunk during while comparing the FOB and Qualysis motion capture systems during two separate instructional conditions. Healthy participants between the ages of 18-35 were recruited to perform a one-day repeated measures protocol. The data collected allowed for the angular movement patterns of the general healthy population. In the future, these motion patterns will be used for to the development of kinetic models of the motion.