Resources - K-Lab ::

Resources

The Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Lab (K-Lab) encompasses 3,000 sq. ft. of space in the Finch Yeager Building on Duke University Medical Center campus. Within the lab there is office space including the office of the Director, Dr. Robin Queen, a conference facility setup with integrated videoconferencing and presentation systems, as well as offices for klab postdoctoral fellows and graduate and medical students. The lab also contains an array of state of the art biomechanical, physiological, medical, and kinematic test equipment for the study of human performance and whole body kinematics. Equipment includes systems for isokinetic assessment of human performance, telemetered electromyographic analysis, 3-D motion capture, a dual force-plate system and 30 meter gait analysis track, instruments for biomechanical testing, anaerobic and aerobic power output, oxygen consumption, video editing, and computing.

The K-Lab recently upgraded its 3D motion capture system to an 8 camera Eagle Digital system. The Eagle Digital System consists of 8 Eagle Digital Cameras, the EagleHub, and EVaRT software, which can capture complex motion with extreme accuracy. Real-time capabilities allows K-Lab researchers to see capture results at the same instant as the subject is performing a specific task. The Eagle Digital Camera, with a resolution of 1.3 million pixels at 1280 x 1024 full resolution at up to 500 frames per second, 1280 x 512 at 1000 frames per second, 1280 x 256 at 2000 frames per second, and a processing rate of 600 million pixels per second, allows for extreme resolution, unprecedented high frame rate, upgradeable functionality, and ease of use. With digital technology there is no degradation of the signal over distance, less noise, and no resampling of data on another piece of electronics. The Eagle Digital Camera signal goes directly to the tracking computer via an Ethernet connection. The signal processing is embedded in the camera. The Eagle Digital Camera has a larger sensor area than standard video cameras. The corresponding use of a high quality 35mm lens allows for the sweet spot of the lens to map over this larger image sensor area, resulting in greater lens and system accuracy. The cameras offer the following features: 1-2000 Hz selectable frame rates, Portability with the ability to move up to 8 cameras in two suitcases, a built-in zoom provides more visual options for ease of set-up, high quality 35mm lenses for low optical distortion, separate zoom, iris and focus settings independent of ringlight, available with visible red, near red, or infrared ringlights, LED display panel for camera identification and status, 237 LED's for brighter and better light uniformity, strobed ringlight with camera body heat sink, four body mount points on camera for variable positioning, software controlled adjustable light output, and software controlled electronic shutter adjustments.

The K-Lab has two 16-channel Telemetric Surface EMG systems (TeleMyo 900) which measure and process surface EMG and associated signals. Data is transmitted from the subject via radio waves to a computer-connected receiver up to 300 yards away. Data acquisition, analysis and reporting can all be handled with MyoResearch XP software, which has specific automated features designed for various research applications. The telemetered EMG systems can also be used in several research applications in conjunction with our Motion Analysis system. Some of the applications in which K-lab researchers use the EMG systems are evaluation of individuals with pathological gait during walking and measurement of lower extremity muscle activity in activities such as cutting, running, or performing a jump landing task.

The K-Lab current has two OR6-7 and two BP600-900 AMTI force plates, which are mounted within the floor of the lab. The force plate system is used both independently to measure parameters such as static balance as well as in conjunction with the motion capture system in order to determine lower extremity kinetics such as ground reaction forces and moments. The K-Lab research team is currently using the force plate system to monitor ground reaction forces and moment during jumping, running, kicking, and walking.

The Pedar system is a pressure distribution measuring system for monitoring local loads between the foot and the shoe. It is a mobile system that uses Bluetooth™technology that is able to communicate with Bluetooth™compatible pocket, notebook, or standard PC's. The Pedar system connects to elastic sensor insoles that cover the whole plantar surface of the foot or sensor pads for the dorsal, medial or lateral areas of the foot. The Pedar system allows multiple synchronization options to use with the K-Lab’s Noraxon EMG system and Motion Analysis Corporation system for gait analysis.

The Biodex system provides the K-Lab with pioneering neuromuscular testing and rehabilitation technology. The dynamic and static muscle loading environments offered by the system present unlimited possible combinations of techniques and applications including the following:

Isokinetic mode in a continuous reciprocal motion. Impact- free acceleration eliminates joint trauma during the achievement of high speeds that correlate to function.

Applied torque response ensures that the patient’s limb velocity increases or decreases in proportion to the torque applied during acceleration and deceleration allowing neuromuscular control measurements.
The ability to choose concentric and eccentric contractions, allows the performance of isolated plyometric exercises.
Passive motion mode with speeds low enough to overcome the natural stretch reflex and fast enough to allow active assistive exercise. (.25deg/sec)
Reactive eccentric mode for submaximal neuromuscular re-education in the early phases of rehabilitation.
Isometric mode to initiate an active muscular contraction as well as monitor strength gains when excessive motion is a concern.
Isotonic mode for inertia free concentric or eccentric muscular contractions.
Progressive, controlled range of motion training with real-time biofeedback.
Specific protocol for proprioceptive and kinesthesia and training.
Compare patients to normative database supplied or develop goals based on your clinical population.

The Bod Pod is a body composition tracking system that is used to analyze the fat mass and fat-free mass of an individual. Before the Bod Pod, the most accepted method of body composition measurement was hydrostatic (underwater) weighing. When comparing the two methods, the Bod Pod and underwater weighing often produce identical results. The system uses air displacement instead of water to measure body volume based on Boyle’s Law. To measure air displacement, the Bod Pod produces very small volume changes inside the chamber and measures the pressure response to these volume changes. In order to measure body composition of an individual, the system first measures the volume of the empty Bod Pod chamber and then the volume of the chamber with the subject seated inside. By subtracting the volume of the chamber, the volume of the subject is thereby determined.

The Parvo Medics TrueOne 2400 Metabolic Measurement System measures subjects metabolic values during various stages of physical activity. The system and protocol can be modified to suit almost any client’s sport or needs. The system collects the subject’s expired air via a mouthpiece and collection tube. The air then passes through a heated pneumotach and is analyzed by the system to measure several metabolic values; the most notable measure is the VO2 max. This is the measure that tells how efficient the subject’s cardiopulmonary system is for aerobic activity.