Calibration method for F-scan / I-scan systems

[Enora Le Flao]

Dear Biomech users,

I'm interested in measuring force and pressure distribution using Tekscan systems (we own both F-scan and I-scan). The goal is to analyze how the force is distributed on the knees or shoulder in events like a fall on the knees or a rugby tackle, which are relatively fast movements.

Due to this kind of system limitations, we are planning to use the F-scan because it is able to sample at a frequency of 750Hz, but we are quite unsure about the calibration method we should use for impact measurements.

Macintyre (2011) suggests that linear calibration is better for static applications, but does any of you have experience with fast measurements ? Any help on the method and the use of the system would be very welcome !

Thanks for your time,

Enora LE FLAO
Biomechanical Engineer
Oxylane R&D Center


New calibration method for I-scan sensors to enable the precise measurement of pressures delivered by 'pressure garments'. Lise Macintyre, BURNS 37 (2011) 1174-1181.

[Ezio Preatoni]

Re: Calibration method for F-scan / I-scan systems

Hi Enora,

I aknowledge it is a late reply... but I and some colleagues have recently faced the same issue when analysing rugby scrummaging and found a solution that might be helpful in your case. We had to record forces in events with an initial impact followed by a relatively steady phase.
The calibration process and its results are reported in:

Cazzola D, Trewartha G, Preatoni E. Time-based calibrations of pressure sensors improve the estimation of force signals containing impulsive events. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology 2013. [Epub ahead of print] http://pip.sagepub.com/content/early...04397.abstract

Best wishes
-Ezio