Rehabilitation, Physical Activity and Quality-of-Life Research
The Motion Analysis Lab is conducting research on five focus areas related to rehabilitation, physical activity and quality of life:
Development of custom algorithms to measure activity outside the laboratory setting
Accelerometry-based activity monitoring provides a method to objectively measure actual performance of physical activity in everyday life and over an extended period in a patient's home setting. This method offers quantifiable outcomes that may provide novel insights into the effects of interventions on physical functioning.
Dynamic stability and physical activity among people with spinal deformities
Dr. Kaufman's lab is working to define the relationship among static balance, dynamic balance, physical activity and quality of life in a group of people with spinal deformities. The lab team performs evaluations before and after corrective surgery and makes comparisons longitudinally and in relation to age-matched and sex-matched controls.
Optimizing performance and mitigating falls in war fighters with lower limb trauma or loss
Our lab is helping develop a clinically feasible tool set to optimize performance and mitigate falls in war fighters with lower limb trauma or loss, or both. A new treadmill-based postural disturbance system has been developed by Treadmetrix, our industry partner. Our lab is tasked with validating the performance of the treadmill with volunteer participants and improving the usability of the control software with clinician-users.
General physical performance testing services
The Motion Analysis Lab provides human performance testing services for principal investigators both within and outside of Mayo Clinic. Services include quantitative strength testing, respiratory function, mobility assessments, activity quantification, motion capture and more. Our lab staff members are trained to conduct test protocols for multicenter, multivisit studies and to provide test data back to the site principal investigator.