title: Caution: the use of an electromagnetic device to measure trunk kinematics on rowing ergometers.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy and variability of an electromagnetic device in measuring spinal kinematics on a traditional and replica rowing ergometer. Kinematic data collected from the 3-Space Fastrak system using a Standard Concept II ergometer were compared with a replica ergometer that was in part, composed of non-ferrous materials (modified ergometer). The Fastrak's sensors were fixed to a wooden "spine" with known angles (as measured by an inclinometer). The mean inclinometer angle from four sensors (1 +/- 0.20) was significantly different than the mean angle recorded on the standard ergometer (-5.4 +/- 3.40) (p = 0.007) whilst the angles recorded on the modified ergometer (1.4 +/- 0.80) were statistically equivalent to the inclinometer recordings (p = 0.660). These results indicate that the presence of ferrous material in a standard ergometer reduced the accuracy and increased the variability of data collected with the electromagnetic device. However, information collected on largely non-ferrous ergometers can provide coaches, biomechanists and clinicians with a quick and effective way to measure trunk kinematics during ergometer rowing.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, Australia. leo.ng@curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Angus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.forename: Amity
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D053587:Arthrometry, Articular / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016477:Artifacts; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012767:Ships / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*