Project Info
Movement control during symmetric and asymmetric activities of daily living
Anne Silverman
asilverm@mines.edu
Project Goals and Description:
This project aims to evaluate the motor coordination of daily, functional tasks such as stepping up or down a stool, carrying a grocery bag, and more. Kinematics and kinetics of the dominant and non-dominant side will be compared during symmetric and asymmetric tasks. These quantities will be used to explain joint level contributions to whole body center of mass movement. In addition, this project will explore whether or not different strategies due to limb preference exist in a young, healthy study cohort.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Not applicable.
fbl.mines.edu
Primary Contacts:
Anne Silverman, asilverm@mines.edu | Jordan Sturdy, sturdy@mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
Programming experience in MATLAB is required. Candidate must have experience with kinematic modeling in Visual3D. Strong interest in biomechanics, dynamics, biology.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
- Understanding of biomechanics research studies and experience with using a variety of data sources to include: motion capture, ground reaction forces, electromyography, etc.
- Programming: data processing and management experience
- Data filtering, feature extraction, aggregation, and statistical analysis
- Biomechanical data interpretation and visualization
- Comprehensive biomechanical modeling with introduction to musculoskeletal simulation.
- Written and verbal communication skills, with opportunities to present work in a lab and conference settings.
- Literature review and manuscript preparation
MENTORING PLAN
The student will present brief research updates at bi-weekly lab meetings and meet with Dr. Silverman and/or Dr. Sturdy (post-doctoral researcher) on the other weeks. The student will be integrated into our research group with communication via Slack and professional development activities. There will be milestones with a projected timeline setup at the beginning of the academic year and will be revisited periodically.
Preferred Student Status
Senior