HETEK4200 Monitoring, Activity- and Movement Analysis Course description

The course emphasises the analysis and monitoring of human movement and activity. Through theory and practical exercises, students learn to collect and analyse objective data that describe individuals' activity levels, movements, and muscle function, as well as analyse the forces acting on the body and creating movement.

The course mainly focuses on monitoring and analysing gait patterns, gait function, and physical activity both in the laboratory and in everyday life, considering ecological validity. Gait function is a vital sign, and the analysis of pathological gait, such as in individuals with cerebral palsy, stroke, and leg amputation, is an important clinical tool. This provides valuable and necessary information and contributes to objective decision support in patient and rehabilitation processes to promote activity and participation in daily life.

The course will utilise modern technology for movement and activity analysis, such as accelerometers, force plates, 3D camera systems, video vector analysis, EMG, and equipment for measuring energy expenditure. Both stationary laboratory equipment and portable equipment for use outside the lab environment are used in the course.

Students must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Assistive Technology in Health. The course can be taken as an elective course by students admitted to other master’s specialisations.

The course is also offered as an individual course if there are vacant places. Admission to the individual course requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can assess and analyse biomechanics related to movement patterns in gait and gait function
• can discuss how movements can be measured and quantified
• can evaluate how physical activity and physiological parameters can be measured and quantified

Skills

The student

• can assess force diagrams during gait and static standing
• can analyse movement patterns in gait
• can interpret clinically relevant outcome measures used in analyses of gait function and physical capacity
• can apply clinically relevant technologies for measuring physical activity levels and selected physiological parameters of importance for health and function

General competence

The student

• can analyse biomechanics in practical problem-solving
• can communicate solutions to biomechanical problems both orally and in writing
• can discuss outcome measures in movement and activity analysis in relation to ecological validity

The course will use varied, student-active teaching methods. Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, digital learning resources, assignments, group work, oral presentations, and self-study. There will also be work in various movement analysis laboratories.

None.

Individual oral examination, up to 30 minutes. Students receive the exam question on a case two days before the exam. The exam begins with the student presenting their work (approx. 15 minutes) and continues with questions from the examiners (approx. 15 minutes).

The answer can be given in English or a Scandinavian language.

A digital presentation can be brought to the oral exam. All aids are allowed in the preparation of the presentation.

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

None.