The Quantitative Analysis course provides an in depth review of human movement analysis strategies. The course makes use of a variety of software based tools in the quantitative analysis process. Standard spreadsheets will be used to compute variables as simple as point velocity and as advanced as impulse momentum relationships. We will also make use of software written specifically to support our work in quantitative analysis. The KA software suite, complete with tools for two and three dimensional video analysis and vector algebra will be thoroughly integrated into our discussion of theory. Rather than just talk about Newton’s Laws, we will use our software tools to quantitatively analyze the role of the mechanical constraint on human motion.

The course includes small class size (20 student) lecture and discussion course meetings and a variety of laboratory experiences each week. As part of your laboratory experience, you will collect and analyze video data of a movement of your own choice. Your term paper assignment will be to apply quantitative analysis strategies and biomechanical theory to your motion analysis. Your project will be designed as a pilot study that can be expanded to become a masters research project or formal research publication.

Typical student research projects make use of 2 camera three dimensional video. Projects can optionally include dual force plate data collection. All students present the results of  their term project to the class at the end of the semester in PowerPoint format. The best papers in the class are submitted for publication in the SFSU Kinesiology Journal of Student Research and in the SFSU Movement Library Web Site.