Optoelectronic analysis

Optoelectronic motion analysis is extensively used in biomechanics to evaluate the three-dimensional kinematics of human movement. Unlike earlier video-based methods, optoelectronic systems are capable of automatically registering the positions of markers placed on athletes or patients, which significantly reduces the time associated with data processing and analysis. Optoelectronic motion analysis systems can be broadly sub-divided into passive and active systems based on the types of markers that they use and the associated procedures adopted by the hardware to register their positions. The specialised cameras used with optoelectronic motion analysis systems are based on video technology and are typically capable of recording the position of the markers between 120 and 420 times each second (i.e. 120 to 420 Hz). The two-dimensional images collected by each camera are subsequently transmitted to the host computer where they are merged (or “reconstructed”) in specific motion analysis software to provide the three-dimensional positions of each marker. These marker positions can be expressed as a function of time and, hence, can be used to derive information regarding the linear and/or angular kinematics of the athlete or patient being examined.