Innovative Analyses of Human Movement

This essential text will bring you up to date on the latest and most appropriate mathematical and statistical procedures for analyzing small and large biomechanical data sets. You’ll learn how to use the newest and most innovative techniques in your own research, and you’ll understand how these methods apply to data analysis. If you’re a student or professional who deals with measurement issues in human movements, this resource is invaluable.

Innovative Analyses of Human Movement is conveniently divided into three parts: the mathematics and statistics applied to variability in human movements, dynamical systems methods and directional circular statistics as applied to coordination in human movements, and the analysis of complex data sets. Each of the nine chapters is well organized and provides sample data sets and examples of how to use and apply the techniques. Contributors from all over the world provide knowledge about human movement.

The text includes complete, step-by-step examples that illustrate how each technique applies to data analysis. It also presents techniques using a tutorial approach to prepare readers for real-life research studies. Many other features make this an easy-to-use tool for human movement scientists:
• Key terms are highlighted in the text and defined in a glossary for quick understanding.
• Work problems allow you to test your skills in using and solving the described technique.
• Suggested readings and resources listed for each chapter point you to additional background information.
• Web sites point readers to relevant software and information.

In addition, the book uses a case study approach that will help readers quickly associate the method of interest with the appropriate application. If you’re a student or professional who deals with measurement issues in human movement, this resource is a must.

About the Editor

Nicholas Stergiou, PhD, is associate professor and coordinator of the HPER Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has contributed chapters in two exercise science books and has published extensively in many prestigious journals in the field. Stergiou is a member of the American Society of Biomechanics and the International Society of Biomechanics. He earned a PhD in biomechanics from the University of Oregon, a master’s degree in exercise science and biomechanics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece. Stergiou and his wife, Ann, reside in Omaha and enjoy playing sports and traveling in their spare time.

Table of Contents

Contents

List of Contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments

Part I Methods to Examine Variability in Human Movement

• Chapter 1 Single-Subject Analysis
  Expanding Experimental Design Horizons
  Human Movement Characteristics
  Issues Relative to Data Analysis and Evaluation
  Experimental Design
  Summary
  Suggested Readings
  References
• Chapter 2 Considerations of Movement Variability in Biomechanics Research
  The Nature of Intra-Individual Movement Variability
  Variability and Biological Health
  Methodological Considerations of Movement Variability
  Traditional Methods for Quantifying Variability
  Summary
  Work Problems
  Suggested Readings
  References
• Chapter 3 Nonlinear Tools in Human Movement
  Time Series
  State Space
  Lyapunov Exponent
  Surrogation
  Correlation Dimension
  Approximate Entropy
  Other Tools
  Other Available Software and Algorithms
  Summary
  Suggested Readings
  References

Part II Methods to Examine Coordination and Stability in Human Movement

• Chapter 4 Applied Dynamic Systems Theory for the Analysis of Movement
  Phase Portraits and Phase Angles
  Relative Phase
  Point Estimate Relative Phase
  Discrete Relative Phase
  Complete Examples for the Application of Dynamical Systems Theory Tools
  Summary
  Work Problems
  Suggested Readings
  References
• Chapter 5 Directional Statistics
  Why Are Directional Statistics Needed?
  Examples of Directional Statistics
  Representation of Circular and Axial Data
  Descriptive Statistics
  Second-Order Analysis
  Tests of Uniformity
  One-Sample Comparisons
  Comparisons of Two or More Samples
  Hypothesis Testing for Second-Order Analysis
  Paired-Sample Tests
  Correlations
  Summary
  Work Problems
  List of Symbols
  Suggested Readings
  References
• Chapter 6 Mathematical Measures of Coordination and Variability in Gait Patterns
  Response Surface Methodology
  Variability
  Summary
  Work Problems
  Suggested Readings
  References

Part III Advanced Methods for Data Analysis in Human Movement

• Chapter 7 Time Series Analysis: The Cross-Correlation Function
  Time Series Analyses
  Defining the Cross-Correlation Function
  Pearson Product-Moment Correlations
  Fisher Z-Transformations
  Other Measures of Similarity
  Correlograms
  Autocorrelograms
  Cross-Correlation as a Method for Estimating Spectral Content
  Matched Filters
  Summary
  Work Problems
  Suggested Readings
  References
• Chapter 8 Principles and Applications of Bootstrapping Statistical Analysis
  Bootstrapping
  Bootstrap Samples and Bootstrap Sampling Distributions
  How Bootstrapping Works
  Practical Issues of Bootstrapping Applications
  Advantages and Limitations of Bootstrapping
  Summary
  Suggested Readings
  References
• Chapter 9 Power Spectrum Analysis and Filtering
  Time and Frequency Domain Representations: A Simple Signal
  Frequency Domain Transform and the Discrete Fourier Transform
  Data Sampling
  Biomechanical Data Filtering
  The Differentiation Process
  Joint Time-Frequency Domain Representations
  The Wigner Function
  Summary
  Work Problems
  Suggested Readings
  References

Appendix A Answers to Work Problems
Appendix B Data Sets for Chapter 2
Appendix C Data Sets for Chapter 4 Work Problems
Glossary
Index
About the Editor

Audiences

A resource for biomechanists, motor behavior and control specialists, rehab medicine researchers, biomedical researchers, sports medicine researchers, and ergonomists; a textbook for undergraduate and graduate biomechanics and motor behavior and motor control students.