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Gadget to measure shock? (Read 749 times)


1983

    Does one exist? I'm interested in measuring the shock to my body (neck specifically) as I experiment with different running styles. Would like something I could attach to my neck and measure the G-force that it is experiencing with each footstrike.
    Favorite quote: Stop your crying you little girl! 2011: Mt Washington, Washington Trails, Peaks Island, Pikes Peak.
    Trent


    Good Bad & The Monkey

      Just curious: what would you do with the info?
      jeffdonahue


        Just curious: what would you do with the info?
        I am guessing if he is trying out some running styles that he would choose the one that provides the least amount of pounding to his spine and legs.


        1983

          Background: I had surgery on my lower back 5 yrs ago for a herniated disk. I herniated one in my neck in Oct of last year. After 2 cortizone shots, it is better, but still irritates me slightly after running. I would like to experiment with different types of footstrike in an attempt to find something which would pose the least shock to my neck / spine. Without turning this into a forefoot / heel strike argument, I have always been a big heel striker. I am willing to try modifying my gait or even running on my hands it that would pose less shock to my spine. As far as what to do with the info: If it turned out that forefoot running posed 1/2 the shock to my neck that my current footstrike does, I would give that a try.
          Favorite quote: Stop your crying you little girl! 2011: Mt Washington, Washington Trails, Peaks Island, Pikes Peak.


          1983

            I am guessing if he is trying out some running styles that he would choose the one that provides the least amount of pounding to his spine and legs.
            Good guess. Least pounding to my spine is what I am looking for. Legs are strong like bull. Spine is made of legos.
            Favorite quote: Stop your crying you little girl! 2011: Mt Washington, Washington Trails, Peaks Island, Pikes Peak.
              Does one exist? I'm interested in measuring the shock to my body (neck specifically) as I experiment with different running styles. Would like something I could attach to my neck and measure the G-force that it is experiencing with each footstrike.
              What you're looking for is a good accelerometer. Like this http://uk.precisionnews.com/article_GON-360--la_240.html That would be a lot of work...becoming you're own research project and all to take the data and make sense out of it. My brother has sciatica and has gotten back into running. He is having sucess running on woodchip trails and swimming and doing yoga on off days to minimize the pounding. Good luck.
                Two options: 1) if you have a treadmill: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=410 Strap this thing to your body, plug it into a PC using the serial cable, and using Hyperterminal, monitor the acceleration as you run on the treadmill and try different strides. 2) If you dont have a treadmill, use one of these and go to an indoor 200m track. Place a laptop with a 100M range Bluetooth USB Dongle in the middle of the track Strap this to your body: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8563 Monitor the output with Hyperterminal as you try different strides. If you setup Hyperterminal correctly, you can log the data and analyze it using Excel or Matlab, etc.
                  http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=410 .
                  That looks like a neat product. I might have to try this experiment myself.
                    As my college physics professor said "In a car accident, its not the acceleration that kills you, its the Jerk". Fyi- For those who don't get the pun- "Jerk" is the term for change in acceleration. Confused Big grin Shocked And the "Jerk" is also the other driver... Clowning around In reference to Slosh252's question, "Jerk" and "Shock " are the same. You want to use the gadgets I suggested to see the change in acceleration (or Jerk).


                    1983

                      Two options: 1) if you have a treadmill: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=410 Strap this thing to your body, plug it into a PC using the serial cable, and using Hyperterminal, monitor the acceleration as you run on the treadmill and try different strides. 2) If you dont have a treadmill, use one of these and go to an indoor 200m track. Place a laptop with a 100M range Bluetooth USB Dongle in the middle of the track Strap this to your body: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8563 Monitor the output with Hyperterminal as you try different strides. If you setup Hyperterminal correctly, you can log the data and analyze it using Excel or Matlab, etc.
                      Thanks Gopher Ryan. I have a treadmill and will get this and try it out. Should be pretty straightforward.
                      Favorite quote: Stop your crying you little girl! 2011: Mt Washington, Washington Trails, Peaks Island, Pikes Peak.