With the diversity of measuring instruments being available through the OpenLab, a wide variety of method combinations are used for finding answers to scientific questions. Here you can find an overview of ongoing as well as completed projects.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Interpersonal, Space-Time Coordination on an Oscillating Board
When two persons simultaneously work on a task in a space-time relation, this requires special coordination. Some tasks are per se only to be accomplished in pairs of two (e.g. transporting a heavy table, dancing Argentinian tango), however these tasks often times involve costs of coordination and long practice processes. Questions to clarify precisely where theses costs lie and unter which conditions space-time processes are to be optimized, concern researchers in the area of “Joint Action" (Sebanz et al., 2006). In our working group we use a self-developed paradigm for the investigations, in which two persons standing on an oscillating board together and directing it through their coordinated body movements, for instance solve precision tasks or draw a given figure. Those results are generated by pressure points underneath the board (see Fig. 1). For the measurement of body and board movements a state-of-the-art, three-dimensional motion analysis system is applied; in addition, the oscillating board stands on force plates, which record the ground reaction forces and thus providing the possibility to draw conclusions from the displacements of the board. The paradigm is currently in the process of being further developed.
Persons involved:
Sebanz, N., Bekkering, H. & Knoblich, G. (2006) Joint action: bodies and minds moving together. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 10(2), 70-76
Biomechanical Investigation in the Dog Sport Agility
Research question: What are the joint stresses when jumping over a hurdle? Which load differences exist between a straight and a curved jump? Which differences in the jumping technique exist between different performance classes?
Experiment: Kinematic and kinetic data are gathered investigating 15 experienced Border Collies. Markers are attached at both sides of the dogs' front and rear extremities. The dogs jump over a hurdle (height 10% under withers height) for ten repetitions, each per straight (straight approach and outlet) and curved jump (straight approach and rotation at landing in direction of the starting point).
Persons involved:
- Heiko Wagner
- Marc de Lussanet
- Katja Söhnel
DFG Project Movement and Accoustic
Intervention study IDAR (Interference, Deprivation, Auditory Reafference):
Aim of the study is to investigate, whether auditory reafferences are important for movement control. For this purpose, at different appointments markers are attached to the participants who are subsequently filmed with the qualisis system when hurdling and tap dancing, respectively. The produced point-light films are later played to the participants in fMRT.
Persons involved:
- Karen Zentgraf
- Ricarda Schubotz
- Nina Heins
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Effects of Attention Focusing on Joint Forces with Movement Tasks
Studied are the effects of different focuses of attention on joint forces which result from the different movement tasks being performed by participants in the lab. The analysis is based on diverse postural control strategies.
Persons involved:
- Karen Zentgraf
- Karen Roemer
Sex-specific Discrepancies in Children's Throwing
Kinematic and kinetic analysis of children's overhand throw being 5 to 8 years old. Children perform various throws aiming for a target with opened and closed eyes.
Applied measurement systems:
- Qualisys 400Hz
- Kistler 800Hz
- Video camera 60Hz
Persons involved: