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A standard gait lab now uses many machines to
collect and study the kinematics and kinetics of
locomotion. The most basic method involves using
standard still photography. Most gait labs use
single or multiple video cameras to analyze joint
angles and velocities. Video allows for a quick
replay or a slow motion replay of the patient’s
performance. Video cameras are often coupled with
marker systems – either passive or active. These
markers indicate the patient’s movements and also
joint or bone locations. These motion capture
systems are not only used by clinical labs, but also
by the motion picture industry. All of this
equipment only records the kinematics of
locomotion. In order to have a complete picture of
the biomechanics of motion, force plates need to be
incorporated.
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Non-Conductive Force Plate (4060-NC) |
To accurately study the forces and torques of human
and animal motion, many pieces of specialized
equipment are needed – but perhaps none so much as a
high-quality force plate.
Force
plates (or load transducers) measure the ground
reaction forces that are the result of an
individual’s step. Not only does the transducer
measure the forces, but it also measures the
directions those forces are applied and the center
of pressure. Through the use of inverse dynamics,
this information can be used to find the forces
exerted by various muscle groups and the moments
about each joint in the gait cycle.
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Force Plates
For twenty-plus years Bertec has been specializing
in
force plates – the key component in any gait
analysis or biomechanics lab. We have perfected our
patented strain gage-based construction in order to
offer sensitive equipment that will collect reliable
data - time and time again. Our design ensures you
will be getting the best results possible out of
your work.
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Bertec’s force plates have been used in thousands of
research projects and in hundreds of clinics in the
United States and around the world. They are ideal
for gait analysis and rehabilitation in clinics
treating stroke patients, orthotics and prosthetics
users, and disorders affecting locomotion.
Our force plates have many sports applications such
as running, jumping, and lifting. Often used for
injury rehabilitation, force plates are also ideal
for injury prevention and skill training. With
Bertec’s technology, individuals can reach their
peak physical performance.
With many different force plates and amplifiers available, we can create a force measurement package for you.
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Portable Force Plate
with adjustable foot for leveling (NG4060) |
Over the years, many researchers have
contacted us about
custom designed
force plates for use with animals. We have built
plates for cattle, horses, rats, birds, pigs, dogs,
and cats. Each plate is custom fabricated to meet
the users needs.
Treadmills
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Bertec Instrumented Dual-Belt Treadmill |
To compliment our line of force plates, Bertec also
manufactures
instrumented treadmills. When the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) was looking for an
instrumented treadmill, they compared available
treadmills and chose Bertec. The University of
Delaware also performed a market comparison and
chose Bertec. To read some of the research they are
performing on their Bertec treadmill, read the
Benoit and Zeni articles in
Research Publications. We are pleased that our
treadmill so nicely satisfies a need in the gait
community.
Bertec offers superior gait and biomechanics
equipment at reasonable prices in order to make your
research a reality. |
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