Balance performance and prediction of balance loss
We are looking for 2 bachelor/master students with an interest in biomechanics of balance. Experience with Matlab is beneficial.
Background and aim
Being able to maintain balance is an important capability in daily life. Many balance parameters have been defined in literature and have they been related to decrease in balance performance or falling, as consequence of pathologies of degeneration (ageing). At present though, it is not clear which balance parameters best represent balance performance and is able to predict loss of balance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess different balance parameters based on the position and velocities of centre of pressure (CoP) and centre of mass (CoM) and more dynamic measures. These parameters will be compared in tasks with increasing balance difficulty. As a next step, the aim is to study which balance parameter is best capable to predict balance loss in one-limb balance tasks. For this, machine learning techniques will be used.
Your assignment 1
Your assignment is to code and assess various balance parameters in Matlab. Using these parameters, balance performance of health subjects during different balance activities will be studied. Also, depending on the volume of your assignment, these parameters can be related to foot and ankle segment motion or foot muscle activities.
Your assignment 1
A following assignment includes predicting balance loss by means of new statistical methods such as Machine learning.
Possible Projects
BSc Research project or thesis; MSc Research project, thesis or work experience
What else do you need to know?
You will be working at the department of Movement Science located at Horstmarer Landweg 50 in Münster.