How To Use Motion Analysis Systems

Motion analysis systems are often used to capture fast-moving objects. However, they can also be used to analyze everyday objects in motion that are often neglected by the naked eye. Usually, these systems are used to capture images in sports such as baseball and basketball to determine faults and violations of game mechanics. To be able to use motion analysis systems, follow these steps:

1. Get your equipment ready. The first thing to do when using motion analysis systems is to get all the tools and equipment ready. For this setup, you will require a digital video camera with a high fps (frames per second) rate, a tripod, a scale in clear view of the camera, a moving object of interest and video motion capture software. All these can be bought cheaply at stores, but the digital video camera with a high fps rate may be a little bit expensive. Still, you’d want to have something with a considerable fps rate, because anything low will compromise motion analysis.
2. Prepare the software. The software that you will have to use depends largely on the type of motion that you are going to analyze. There are programs out there that focus on certain focused movements and patterns. On the other hand, there are those that can analyze from any ground and angle. Choose the right software for your intended purpose, and then calibrate it properly to the desired settings.
3. Set up the mounts. After preparing the software to capture your desired motion, you need to setup the rig, the mounts and the scale. Make sure the camera is of considerable distance to the object, and ensure that the scale fits the entire frame of the camera. Also, make sure that the motion to be captured is aligned properly with the scale and camera for optimum data capture. Likewise, make sure that you focus the camera on the exact motion to be captured, and not just on any peripheral objects surrounding the motion.
4. Start the motion to be captured. After carefully setting up the rig, you may now begin the motion that you want to be captured. Carefully perform the motion right in front of the camera, taking notice that the object/motion should pass in front of the scale in order for you to effectively measure it after.
5. Retrieve the data from the software. After successfully capturing the motion, you can now retrieve the data that you have extracted from the software. With this information in hand, you can now use slow motion technology or repeat playback modules to be able to efficiently analyze the movement that you have captured. The scale that you have set up is especially helpful in measuring the micro total of gravity or speed of the object in motion.

Motion analysis systems have been especially helpful in the field of science in discovering certain physical properties of objects, such as mass, speed and the amount of gravity it tends to overcome.