Human Upper Extremity Kinematics and EMG Signal Analysis in Performing Daily Activity of Living

Many mechanisms of injury reduce the functionality of the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The human upper limb is responsible for performing a range of activities of daily living (ADL) from tooth brushing to opening a door. The purpose of the experiment is to collect and analyze the biomechanical (position, velocity, and acceleration) and physiological (EMG) measurements associated with a variety of upper extremity movements that perform ADL. Biomechanical signals while doing ADL will be obtained via motion capture systems whereas physiological measurements will use skin surface EMG electrodes. The output of these experiments will be translated into useful dynamic information corresponding to specific ADL, such as angular rotation, velocity and acceleration for shoulder, elbow and wrist. The normative data will be collected from healthy subjects This data will ultimately lay a foundation on which new diagnostic and rehabilitation methods can be effectively developed. This tool will allow engineers, physicians and occupational therapists to more fully understand the scope of the injury and coordinate cohesively to address it