The AlignMend Band
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Faculty Mentor Name
Huihui Xu
Faculty Mentor Department
Bioengineering
Additional Faculty Mentor Name
Shelly Gulati
Abstract/Artist Statement
Proper long-distance running technique not only minimizes chance of injury, but it also allows runners to be more efficient. When proper form is practiced and unnecessary movement is eliminated, more of the runner’s energy is transferred to propulsion, moving the runner forward, thus maximizing efficiency. There is plenty of research on lower body form, for prevention of joint and knee injuries; however, since there is little research and barely any products that look at the remainder of the body, we will focus on correcting the long-distance runner’s improper upper body form. The hands control the tension in the upper body, while the swing of the arms works in conjunction with leg stride to move the runners forward as well as maintain cadence and rhythm. When the runner’s arms are flailing up and down or side-to-side, it is more likely for him/her to slouch and not breathe as efficiently. If the runner holds his/her hands too high up to his/her chest, s/he will feel tightness and tension in his/her shoulders and neck. Analysis of runners’ gait (pattern of movement when walking), specifically of the upper body, can help avoid injury and improve efficiency. This project aims to design a portable device, called “The AlignMend Band”, that specifically monitors the movement of a runner’s arms and provides gait information. When the runner’s arms move outside of the angle specifications for proper long-distance running form, the device will alert him/ her with a vibration to adjust his/her upper body form and continue doing so until proper form is achieved. The AlignMend Band acts as a standalone device and is expected to greatly improve the efficiency of long-distance runners.
Location
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Start Date
2-5-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
2-5-2015 4:30 PM
The AlignMend Band
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Proper long-distance running technique not only minimizes chance of injury, but it also allows runners to be more efficient. When proper form is practiced and unnecessary movement is eliminated, more of the runner’s energy is transferred to propulsion, moving the runner forward, thus maximizing efficiency. There is plenty of research on lower body form, for prevention of joint and knee injuries; however, since there is little research and barely any products that look at the remainder of the body, we will focus on correcting the long-distance runner’s improper upper body form. The hands control the tension in the upper body, while the swing of the arms works in conjunction with leg stride to move the runners forward as well as maintain cadence and rhythm. When the runner’s arms are flailing up and down or side-to-side, it is more likely for him/her to slouch and not breathe as efficiently. If the runner holds his/her hands too high up to his/her chest, s/he will feel tightness and tension in his/her shoulders and neck. Analysis of runners’ gait (pattern of movement when walking), specifically of the upper body, can help avoid injury and improve efficiency. This project aims to design a portable device, called “The AlignMend Band”, that specifically monitors the movement of a runner’s arms and provides gait information. When the runner’s arms move outside of the angle specifications for proper long-distance running form, the device will alert him/ her with a vibration to adjust his/her upper body form and continue doing so until proper form is achieved. The AlignMend Band acts as a standalone device and is expected to greatly improve the efficiency of long-distance runners.