Self-marking of anatomical landmarks for on-orbit experimental motion analysis compared to expert direct-marking.
The on-orbit application of movement analysis methodology, on-board space stations, for studying the gravity role in motor functions, requires a careful adaptation of the currently adopted techniques in order to obtain reliable data. In those operative conditions, differently from common on-ground experimental activities, a non-specialist operator, an astronaut of the space station crew, is expected to self-administer the experimental protocol, particularly self-marking specific anatomical landmarks. The present paper proposes a movement analysis methodology, which fits the specific constraints of space activity and matches the objective of maximising reliability and minimising on-orbit time, and reports normative data about accuracy and precision of the self-marking of an extended set of anatomical landmarks. The same set of landmarks has been considered also for direct-marking performed by experts in motion analysis and their results have been compared to self-marking ones. The paper contents will support the design of future space experimental campaigns and is, in general, applicable to any on-ground scientific investigation, possibly increasing data reliability.
Rabuffetti
M
M
Centro di Bioingegneria, Fondazione Don Gnocchi IRCCS, Politecnico di Milano, Via Capecelatro, 66, I-20148 Milan, Italy. marco.rebuffetti@polimi.it
Baroni
G
G
Ferrarin
M
M
Ferrigno
G
G
Pedotti
A
A
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013026:Space Flight; D018561:Space Simulation; D014893:Weightlessness