The Motion Analysis Laboratory in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Dayton is used to study human movement patterns to better help persons with musculoskeletal problems. We aim to help clinicians better understand, assess and treat the lower extremities based on sound clinical biomechanics research.
Our laboratory studies are most often conducted by department faculty and Doctor of Physical Therapy students. We also regularly collaborate with UD faculty from the Department of Health and Sport Science and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Laboratory Details
Three force platforms are embedded within a raised floor, and 18 Vicon infrared cameras aim toward the center. Using strategically placed tracking markers, the cameras will record the person's movements in 3D space as they walk, run, jump, squat or cut on the platforms. The data then helps us make discoveries about human movement for rehabilitation and performance purposes.
Hardware in the Motion Analysis Lab:
- Bertec force platforms - 3
- Vicon camera system - 18
- Noraxon electromyography system
- Biodex 3 isokinetic dynamometer
- General Electric Logiq S8 diagnostic ultrasound
- TechMed 3D structure sensor scanner
Software in the Motion Analysis Lab:
- Vicon Nexus
- Visual 3D
- LabVIEW
- Matlab
Study Participation
Do you have limited ankle mobility and are interested in dry needling?
- What: 3D motion analysis and ultrasound study on jumping and squatting biomechanics before and after a calf muscle dry needling intervention
- When: One visit. Session is 60-90 minutes
- Where: University of Dayton, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Raymond L. Fitz Hall, Room 220F
- Eligibility: Open to healthy adults 18-40 years old that have restricted ankle mobility
- Contact: Lindsay Schultz - schultzl5@udayton.edu
- Research Team: Joaquin Barrios (adviser), Louis Fullenkamp (clinician), Ashley Andrews, Kyle Mitchell, Ricky Pinney, Annie Robinson, Lindsay Schultz
- What is dry needling: Watch this video on YouTube
Are you a healthy runner curious about overstriding?
- What: 3D motion analysis study on running biomechanics based on your running form on video being classified as with or without overstriding
- When: One visit. Session is 60-90 minutes
- Where: University of Dayton, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Raymond L. Fitz Hall, Room 220F
- Eligibility: Open to healthy adults 18-50 years old running at least 60 minutes per week and be injury-free for the past 6 months
- Contact: Taylor Wisser, wissert1@udayton.edu or fill out this Google form
- Research Team: Kevin Sheehan (adviser), Joaquin Barrios (adviser), Amanda Bowling, Michael Brady, Nolan McCarthy, Lorenza Savini, Taylor Wisser
Do you turn or sprain your ankle often?
- What: 3D Motion Analysis during squatting and split squatting. Also clinical measures of strength and mobility
- When: NOW! Sessions last 60-90 minutes
- Where: University of Dayton, Department of Physical Therapy Raymond L. Fitz Hall, Room 220F
Motion Analysis Laboratory - Eligibility: Over 18 years of age, no recent ankle surgeries
- Contact: Marshall Flynn - flynnm18@udayton.edu or complete the interest form.
- Research Team: Dr. Barrios (adviser), Danielle Updike, Matt Cesario, Marshall Flynn, Eva Boelcke
Are you a recreational runner?
- What: 3D Motion Analysis of easy running with and without use of a tennis ball necklace training device
- When: One visit - session is 60-90 minutes
- Where: University of Dayton, Department of Physical Therapy Raymond L. Fitz Hall, Room 220F
- Eligibility: Open to adults 18-45 years old that run at least 60 minutes per week
- Contact: Madison Scott - scottm27@udayton.edu
- Research Team: Kevin Sheehan (adviser), Joaquin Barrios (adviser), Andrew Clark, Jason Clingenpeel, Morgan Gigandet, Nicolas Love, Madison Scott
Published Research
The following papers have come out of research conducted in the Motion Analysis Lab:
- Beerse, M., Bigelow, K.E. & Barrios, J.A. Employing a single trial motor equivalent analysis for the assessment of motor learning. Exp Brain Res 243, 179 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-025-07123-7
- Yacks, C. A., Kacmarcik, C. M. Y., Archambeau, C. A., & Barrios, J. A. (2024). Effect duration of a self-applied talocrural joint mobilization on restricted dorsiflexion: a repeated measures design. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2024.2424545
- Werner D, Casey L, Myers E, Barrios JA. Lower limb squat biomechanics and select clinical measures in chronic ankle instability. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2024;113:106211. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106211
- Beerse M, Callahan C, Barrios J. Self-directed kinematic adjustments when learning the kettlebell swing in young adults. Sports Biomech. Published online January 4, 2023. doi:10.1080/14763141.2022.2161409
- Werner DM, Barrios JA. Trunk Muscle Endurance in Individuals With and Without a History of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. J Strength Cond Res. 2021;35(1):118-123. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000002395
- Werner DM, Davis RW, Hinton A, Price SK, Rowland JL, Barrios JA. Three-dimensional joint kinematic and two-dimensional quality of movement comparison between lateral and forward step-downs. Phys Ther Sport. 2021;52:162-167. doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.09.005
- Kinney AL, Giel M, Harre B, et al. Surface Electromyography of the Internal and External Oblique Muscles During Isometric Tasks Targeting the Lateral Trunk. J Sport Rehabil. 2020;30(2):255-260. Published 2020 May 5. doi:10.1123/jsr.2018-0442
- Beerse M, Bigelow KE, Barrios JA. The patterning of local variability during the acquisition of a novel whole-body continuous motor skill in young adults. Exp Brain Res. 2020;238(9):1797-1812. doi:10.1007/s00221-020-05840-9
- Kuska EC, Barrios JA, Kinney AL. Multi-segment foot model reveals distal joint kinematic differences between habitual heel-toe walking and non-habitual toe walking. J Biomech. 2020;110:109960. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109960
- Werner DM, Barrios JA. In-Line Half-Kneeling as a Motor Control Test of Core Stability: Known-Groups Validity and Reliability. J Sport Rehabil. 2019;28(4):395-398. doi:10.1123/jsr.2018-0031
- Mostaed MF, Werner DM, Barrios JA. 2D AND 3D KINEMATICS DURING LATERAL STEP-DOWN TESTING IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2018;13(1):77-85.
- Bruening DA, Pohl MB, Takahashi KZ, Barrios JA. Midtarsal locking, the windlass mechanism, and running strike pattern: A kinematic and kinetic assessment. J Biomech. 2018;73:185-191. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.04.010
- Pozzi F, Di Stasi S, Zeni JA Jr, Barrios JA. Single-limb drop landing biomechanics in active individuals with and without a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A total support analysis. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2017;43:28-33. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2017.01.020
- Barrios JA, Strotman DE. A sex comparison of ambulatory mechanics relevant to osteoarthritis in individuals with and without asymptomatic varus knee alignment. J Appl Biomech. 2014;30(5):632-636. doi:10.1123/jab.2014-0039
- Barrios JA, Heitkamp CA, Smith BP, Sturgeon MM, Suckow DW, Sutton CR. Three-dimensional hip and knee kinematics during walking, running, and single-limb drop landing in females with and without genu valgum. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2016;31:7-11. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.10.008
- Petit DJ, Willson JD, Barrios JA. Comparison of stance phase knee joint angles and moments using two different surface marker representations of the proximal shank in walkers and runners. J Appl Biomech. 2014;30(1):173-178. doi:10.1123/jab.2012-0147
- Tipnis RA, Anloague PA, Laubach LL, Barrios JA. The dose-response relationship between lateral foot wedging and the reduction of knee adduction moment. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2014;29(9):984-989. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.08.016
- Barrios JA, Butler RJ, Crenshaw JR, Royer TD, Davis IS. Mechanical effectiveness of lateral foot wedging in medial knee osteoarthritis after 1 year of wear. J Orthop Res. 2013;31(5):659-664. doi:10.1002/jor.22252
- Caldwell LK, Laubach LL, Barrios JA. Effect of specific gait modifications on medial knee loading, metabolic cost and perception of task difficulty. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2013;28(6):649-654. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.05.012
