Kineman: A Microcomputer-based Video Digitising System for Movement Analysis

Abstract

Summary This paper describes and discusses a video-digitising system which uses a suite of microcomputer programs (KINEMAN) that has been developed and used to carry out kinematic analyses of human motor action. The equipment is relatively low cost and consists of a video camera, a high quality U-matic or Super VHS videotape recorder, a monitor and microcomputer (BBC Master or PC using MS. DOS). Mouse-driven software enables the acquisition of X-Y co-ordinates for reference points on the joints of the subject which are stored on disk, then edited and converted to ‘real’ values. Further programs from the suite are used to calculate and list angles, limb velocities, and limb accelerations. It also has facilities for data smoothing, graphing, and presenting sequences of stick figures. The accuracy of the system as a means of generating two-dimensional kinematic data has been demonstrated and several studies have shown that reliable results can be obtained with minimal training and without technical assistance.