Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

[Amanda Fenech]

Hi,

I am considering of undergoing a project with school children where a physical activity programme is implemented and I need to measure it's effect in a biomechanical manner. However, I need to take whatever equipment is necessary to the schools as it is more practical to go myself rather than get a hundred children to the lab.

Does anyone know of any measures of fitness i can measure biomechanically?
I was thinking of measuring vertical jump height and COP before and after the intervention using a pressure mat (as I don't have a portable force platform available). Are there any other elements you think I can measure?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Regards,

Amanda Fenech, University of Malta

[Chris Kirtley]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

Hi Amanda,

I guess it all depends on what is meant by "fitness"! It seems to me that the most useful improvement (in terms of health and general condition) would be cardiovascular fitness. So why not measure their resting pulse (just need a stopwatch) and then the pulse after doing a set exercise (e.g. running a known distance, 20 press-ups/sit-ups etc.). The difference between the two heart rates (physiological cost index) gives a rough measure of oxygen consumption.

[Amanda Fenech]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

Hi Amanda,

I guess it all depends on what is meant by "fitness"! It seems to me that the most useful improvement (in terms of health and general condition) would be cardiovascular fitness. So why not measure their resting pulse (just need a stopwatch) and then the pulse after doing a set exercise (e.g. running a known distance, 20 press-ups/sit-ups etc.). The difference between the two heart rates (physiological cost index) gives a rough measure of oxygen consumption.

Thank you for your reply! I can understand your point clearly and I agree, however, my masters is in biomechanics and the intervention is a PA programme in primary schools so I need to assess their improvement in a biomechanical way. Any suggestions are welcome

Amanda

[Roland Starr Riao]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

Hi Amanda,

Depending upon what the PA programme is trying to imporve, you may want to consider modelling an approch used by Beth Eldridge, Marini Pirpiris and H Kerr Graham at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne in 2003, 2004 (Dev Med Child Neurol. 2003 Mar;45(3):189-93. , Clin Rehabil. 2003 Aug;17(5):499-503. , J Pediatr Orthop. 2004 Sep-Oct;24(5):521-8. - Pubmed search "uptimer"). They used an uptimer to measure the uptime of children. They did a validation study, developed a normative database and then looked at children with CP. The uptimer was just a tilt switch that was tegaderm'ed to the thigh for a period of time. The tilt switch could be updated into an electronic version as a tilt switch and accererometer combination with data collection pre PA programme and a post PA programme.

[Amanda Lin]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

How about handgrip isometric strength + BMI + body composition?

Hi,

I am considering of undergoing a project with school children where a physical activity programme is implemented and I need to measure it's effect in a biomechanical manner. However, I need to take whatever equipment is necessary to the schools as it is more practical to go myself rather than get a hundred children to the lab.

Does anyone know of any measures of fitness i can measure biomechanically?
I was thinking of measuring vertical jump height and COP before and after the intervention using a pressure mat (as I don't have a portable force platform available). Are there any other elements you think I can measure?

Any suggestions are welcome.

Regards,

Amanda Fenech, University of Malta

[Jeff Hinshaw]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

Hi Amanda,

For the COP measurement, I would recommend that you look into a device that my company developed. I think that it would be perfect for your research. It is a very portable force plate that measures COP, called Balance Tracking Systems (BTrackS) it can be found on http://balancetrackingsystems.com. It has been tested on 1000's of individuals including many children. Please let me know if you have any questions.
For vertical jump height I would either recommend either a Vertec or just a simple approach where the child would stand 6 inches from a wall with either tape or chalk in their hand, do a baseline measure, then have the child jump and place the tape or chalk on the highest point. I would let them practice and then give them three tries. I use this approach where I have taught at San Diego State University and it seems to be effective and valid. Again let me know know if you have any questions.

Jeff Hinshaw

[Dan Robbins]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

Hi Amanda,

If you have a pressure mat you could measure balance - even without a pressure mat, using tape in the floor, you can assess balance in a variety of different ways (e.g. star test, y-test, modified BASS test).
You could also consider agility test using a few cones/markers and a stop watch, there is no shortage to pick from.
Vertical jump is a good idea, there is certainly lots of data on it. However, horizontal jump is easier to assess/measure, therefore I wouldn't rule that out if resources are limited.

At the primary school age I guess one of the key points is it needs to be fun to keep the children engaged, therefore I would avoid any form of 'do as many/much as you can in the time given' style tests.

I believe Dr Avery Faigenbaum has published quite a lot of research on testing children, perhaps a search on his work will give you some good ideas.
Regards
Dan

[Amanda Fenech]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

Hi Amanda,

Depending upon what the PA programme is trying to imporve, you may want to consider modelling an approch used by Beth Eldridge, Marini Pirpiris and H Kerr Graham at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne in 2003, 2004 (Dev Med Child Neurol. 2003 Mar;45(3):189-93. , Clin Rehabil. 2003 Aug;17(5):499-503. , J Pediatr Orthop. 2004 Sep-Oct;24(5):521-8. - Pubmed search "uptimer"). They used an uptimer to measure the uptime of children. They did a validation study, developed a normative database and then looked at children with CP. The uptimer was just a tilt switch that was tegaderm'ed to the thigh for a period of time. The tilt switch could be updated into an electronic version as a tilt switch and accererometer combination with data collection pre PA programme and a post PA programme.

Hi Roland,

Thank you for your contribution. I will have a look at the paper you mentioned and see if I can apply it to my study.

Thanks again!

Regards,

Amanda

[Amanda Fenech]

Re: Measuring biomechanical fitness outside the lab

Hi Amanda,

For the COP measurement, I would recommend that you look into a device that my company developed. I think that it would be perfect for your research. It is a very portable force plate that measures COP, called Balance Tracking Systems (BTrackS) it can be found on http://balancetrackingsystems.com. It has been tested on 1000's of individuals including many children. Please let me know if you have any questions.
For vertical jump height I would either recommend either a Vertec or just a simple approach where the child would stand 6 inches from a wall with either tape or chalk in their hand, do a baseline measure, then have the child jump and place the tape or chalk on the highest point. I would let them practice and then give them three tries. I use this approach where I have taught at San Diego State University and it seems to be effective and valid. Again let me know know if you have any questions.

Jeff Hinshaw

Hi Jeff,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I will look into the balance tracking systems you mentioned, however, I already have a Tekscan HR Mat which I can use to measure COP. With regards to Vertec, I have read about it, but my main issue is measuring variables in an applied biomechanics point of view.

Thanks again for your contribution,
Regards,
Amanda