Below, I have provided some details about the equipment and methods that we use in the group.

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Details




Vicon Motion Analysis (200HZ and 800HZ)

The system works by recording the position of markers placed on a moving body part. Infra red light is emitted from the white diodes around the lens and the cameras record the reflection of the light from the placed reflective markers. Prior to recording, a calibration frame is used so that camera positions (relative to the calibration frame; XYZ) can be measured. Using this detail, the three dimensional coordinates of any markers viewed by two or more synchronised cameras can be calculated.




Polhemus Motion Analysis 240HZ

The system works by creating a magnetic field within a work space. Electrical markers are placed on a moving body part. When these markers move across the magnetic field, a distortion in the field occurs. From this, the system is able to calculate the three dimensional coordinates of up to four markers within the work space.




MagStim Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

The system works by creating a magnetic field around a coil and using the focus of field to activate the brain. We use the method in two ways: (i) to measure modulation of the brain to muscle pathway (i.e., primary motor cortex to muscle); (ii) to measure the pathways used in perception and action.




Delsys Elecromygraphy (EMG)

The EMG electrodes simply measure nerve electrical activity in the muscles. We use system in combination with TMS to measure changes in the muscle from brain activity.




Phillips Achieva MRI scanner


Simply, the MRI scanner measures different aspects of the brain. We use the system in three ways: (i) fMRI - measuring brain activity while participants conduct a behavioural task (i.e., perception, action etc.); (ii) MRI - to measure brain volume and structure (e.g., for measuring reductions with age); (iii) DTI - for measuring neuron diffusion which can reduce following brain injury.