University Of Stellenbosch NEW NEUROMECHANICS UNIT UNIQUE IN SOUTH AFRICA
The brand new Neuromechanics unit at Stellenbosch University was launched on 6 June. This unit is within the Central Analytical Facilities and support a wide range of human movement research in healthcare, engineering and sport.
Neuromechanics is an interdisciplinary field that integrates neuroscience and biomechanics to understand how the human nervous system and musculoskeletal system interact to control movements. The Neuromechanics unit is well placed to play a leading role in developing this relatively new field in South Africa – it houses state-of-the-art equipment and is staffed by a team of three full-time biomedical engineers.
The unit’s high-speed motion capture systems are capable of capturing the three-dimensional posture and movement of the skeletal system in great detail during physical activity. It is also possible to assess three-dimensional ground reaction forces or pressure patterns on the feet during standing, jumping, walking or running tasks. The unit also provides wireless sensors for kinesiological electromyography (assessment of electrical activity in the muscles) and high-density electroencephalography (assessment of electrical activity in the brain), as well as mobile cardiopulmonary exercise testing (assessment of heart and lung function). All of this equipment can be operated simultaneously in a time-synchronized manner. According to dr John Cockcroft, manager of the Neuromechanics Unit, these capabilities are unique in the country and will enable world-class student training and more advanced experiments.
Knowledge of how human movement is controlled and organized in different contexts plays a critical role in efforts to improve the health and well-being of society in a number of fields. It can support the development of assistive devices, surgical procedures and clinical services for persons with impaired physical function due to aging, injury, disability or disease. It can also be used to improve performance in sport and exercise through optimized training and coaching, or to improve workplace productivity and safety through optimized ergonomics.
This new facility at the Coetzenburg Sports Science Complex has been custom-built for neuromechanics research and is one-of-a-kind in the country.
Source: www.sun.ac.za