Occupational Biomechanics and Ergonomics Lab Research and Infrastructure


Research

There are four main poles of research conducted at the OBEL laboratory:

  1. Understanding the mechanisms of repetitive motion-induced fatigue and of musculoskeletal injuries affecting both posture and (arm) repetitive tasks
  2. Identifying factors (both biophysical and psychosocial) related to musculoskeletal injury chronicity and rehabilitation outcomes
  3. Applying findings to optimize production / avoid injury in occupational settings involving (arm) repetitive tasks (work industries, music performance, sports)
  4. Gain an in-depth understanding of sex/gender differences as they relate to musculoskeletal disorders

The OBEL laboratory is a site for both research and functional assessments of deficits for individuals suffering from neck and/or upper limb symptoms.

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Infrastructure

OBEL – Laval

The OBEL – Laval site emphasizes research with vulnerable groups (older adults, patients with Parkinson’s Disease). The lab constitutes three offices and a 72.8 m2 lab equipped with the following:

Research equipment

  • Passive, high-resolution motion capture system(Vicon MX3 6-camera system)
  • Wireless telemetric 24-channel muscle activity recording system with passive surface electrodes (Noraxon)
  • Two six-degree-of-freedom force plates (AMTI)
  • Multi-directional neck force and amplitude measurement system (BTE Tech)
  • Multi-attachment occupational task force and amplitude measurement system (BTE Tech)
  • Lower limb dynamometric assessment system (KINCOM)
  • Electromagnetic motion analysis system (POLHEMUS)
  • Laser Doppler flowmeter (MOOR)
  • Thermotest system (SOMEDIC)
  • Algometer (SOMEDIC)
  • Telemetric movement and muscle activity data capture (Biometrix)
  • Kistler treadmill
  • Monark cycle ergometer
  • Monark arm ergometer


OBEL – McGill

The OBEL – McGill site emphasizes research into the mechanisms of muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders from diverse perspectives (e.g. ergonomics, motor control, physiology and sports). The 74 m2 space is equipped with the following:

  • Contrex dynamometer
  • ISS Near Infrared Spectroscopy
  • GE Ultrasound
  • MagStim Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
  • Digitimer muscle stimulator
  • Monark cycle ergometer
  • Monark arm ergometer
  • Delsys Surface and intramuscular electromyography
  • 9-camera Vicon Nexus motion capture
  • 2 AMTI force plates
  • Custom-build motion base platform
  • Sit-stand stool, standing and biking desks
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