FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click on the frequently asked questions below to view our answers.

What are the functional principles and analysis results of the Leonardo®?

Leonardo Mechanography v4.2 measures the variation and the absolute values of the ground reaction forces over time separately for the left and the right leg. Based on this data the following physical parameters are calculated and analysed:
Calculation and analysis of the physical parameters based on measurement of the variation and position of the ground reaction forces:

  •   Force
  •   Power
  •   Energy

Calculation and analysis of parameters related to the center of gravity:

  •   Velocity
  •   Energy
  •   Jumping
  •   Height
  •   Stiffness
  •   Efficiency
  •   Stored Energy

Analysis of variation of the:

  •   effective Center of Force (CoF, in literature often confused with the Center of Pressure, CoP)
  •   of the center of Gravity (CoG) (available in a future Update)

Reference values for:

  •   individual Performance (Esslinger Fitness Index, EFI: W/kg body weight according to sex and age)
  •   individual measurement of the maximum ground reaction forces per leg
  •   individual measurement of the performance during Chair Rising Test (CRT)

What tests types are supported by the Leonardo®?

The following test types are supported by Leonardo Mechanography v4.2:

      •   Squat Jump Counter Movement Jump (single Two Leg Jump)
      •   repetitive one leg jump (multiple One Leg Jump)
      •   repetitive two leg jump * (multiple Two Leg Jump)
      •   Assessments (summary of results of various single tests)
      •   Chair Rising Test
      •   Drop Jump *
      •   Balance Test *
      •   Land Test *
      •   Trunk Rise Test *
      •   Gate Analysis **

    


* only supported by Leonardo® GRFP Mechanography Research Edition

** only together with Leonardo® GW Gangway

What test procedures are supported by the Leonardo®?

The following test procedures are supported by Leonardo® GRFP Mechanography v4.2:

      •   Base: Basic Assessment
      •   s2LJ: single 2 Leg Jump
      •   CRT: Chair Rising Test
      •   m1LJ: multuiple 1 Leg Jump
      •   DJ: Drop Jump
      •   HRT*: Heel Rise Test
      •   LT*: Land Test
      •   RT*: Repetition Test
      •   TRT*: Trunk Rise Test
      •   BT*: Balance Test

* These Test procedures are only supported by the research (RES) version of Leonardo GRFP Mechanography

What assessments are supported by the Leonardo®?

The following assessments (automatic analysis and summary of a combination of single test of one day and patient) are supported in Leonardo GRFP Mechanography v4.1:

BAss: Basic Assessment (Standard Assessment):

Function: Automatic analysis of all s2LJ and m1LJ of a Patient of one day

Type: Fitness Assessment


Results: Esslinger Fitness Index (E.F.I.), efficiency of movement, asymmetry of the movement, maximum voluntary force of the left and the right leg


s2LJ: single 2 Leg Jump: jump maximum height

Type: Performance test (Total Power Output)

Movement: Executing a normal jump with striking out and the goal to jump as high as possible (high replication for "normal" clients, since daily activities). (For certain analysis (cross sectional studies, examination of professional athletes) certain instructions for execution can be established, such as immobilizing arms).

Field of application: Common performance test (Total Power Output)
Goals / results: Assessing the individual power output; reference data to age and sex (Esslinger Fitness Index, E.F.I.) (at the age of 5 to 95) evaluation of efficiency of the movement (intramuscular coordination of the whole body), difference L/R - is there any asymmetriy of the movement? (typical causes: pain/relieving posture, trauma caused asymmetric movement patterns, musculoskeletal system + back pain)

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, kinetic energy, potential energy, jump height, striking out, body weight, difference L/R (force, power), Esslinger Fitness Index (E.F.I.), efficiency of the movement

CRT: Chair Rising Test

Type: Performance test (Total Power Output)

Movement: Get up five times immediately after another as fast as possible and sit down again right away. Always get up all the way straightening the legs and sit down completely.

Field of application: The Chair Rising Test (CRT) is commonly used for geriatric purpose since it determines whether the minimum demands for every day usage are met by the patient or not [Runge04]. Used if the patient is not able to/inefficient to do the s2LJ.
Established in geriatrics (close coherence to risk of falling and hip fracture within the next 24 months is increased substantially if test time (5* rinsing up) > 10 s. This relation is visualized in the E.F.I. CRT graph.
Problem for trained patient: Ceiling effect -> physical not possible faster than 1 s per test; alternative test: s2LJ

Goals / results: Performance (Total Power Output) of de-conditioned patients (reference data in geriatrics), diagnostics of movement deficit: difference L/R - is there any asymmetric movement? (typical causes: pain/relieving posture, trauma caused asymmetric movement patterns, musculoskeletal system + back pain)

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, kinetic energy, potential energy, jump height, striking out, body weight, difference L/R (force, power), Total duration, duration of single movements, geriatric reference Data

m1LJ: (multiple 1 Leg Jump)

Type: Maximum force test determine the maximum voluntary force of each leg

Movement: Hop several times on one leg fast and hard. Always land on the forefoot. The movement is comparable to skip rope
Field of application: common test of maximum force and the capability of energy storage / stiffness

Goals / results: maximum force and acceleration, stiffness/efficiency of energy storage. The maximum force is related closely to bone solidity

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, kinetic energy, potential energy, weight, stiffness

DJ: Drop Jump

Type: Measures ground contact time / speed

Movement: Use a step of about 20cm in height and dropping onto the Plate then immediately rebound and land on the Plate again and stand still. The contact time is the time between the first landing and the lift off for rebound.

Field of application: A test frequently used by Sports people
but not really to our favour because the analysis used there is only a very rough estimation - probably the interesting outcome is the contact time which is believed to give a rough estimation on how well the muscles are coordinated (the shorter the better - at least as far as Sports people think)

Goals / results: Evaluation of velocity and intramuscular coordination

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, kinetic energy, potential energy, body weight, difference L/R (force, power), ground contact time

HRT: Heel Rise Test

Type: Performance test (Total Power Output)

Movement: The patient stands with straight knees on the Plate and jumps by using only his calve muscles to rise the body as fast as possible.

Field of application: performance test

Goals / results: Jump without energy storage only using the calve muscles and without striking out. Evaluation of the maximum of real (effective) power

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, kinetic energy, potential energy, striking out, body weight, jumping height

LT: Land Test

Type: Coordination test, fitness test

Movement: The patient drops from a step (at least 20 cm height) on the Plate with the aim to land as quietly and softly as possible (make sure the person is not trying to cheat by slowly bending the knees before lift-off) -> minimum of maximum force: preferably constant energy absorption. A trained patient achieves values < 1,5 of body weight per leg (cp. Runge)

Field of application: Common performance test, coordination test (e.g. geriatrics)

Goals / results: Coordination of the movement, ability for coordinated and constant energy absorption

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, kinetic energy, potential energy, striking out, body weight, Drop height, L/R differences

RT: Repetition Test

Type: Coordination test, (constancy of repeated movements are tested)

Movement: Repeated movements e.g. The patient bounces in the knee and tries to generate a harmonic sinusoidal oscillation (harmonic movement, up and down are identical)

Field of application: Geriatrics, coordination

Goals / results: Constance of repeated movement -> coordination, Information about stiffness and energy storage

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, body weight, change of height of CoG, SD and average time of the single movement

TRT: Trunk Rise Test

Type: Fitness test, (Total Power Output), every day abilities

Movement: Alternative 1: Flex the upper part of the body to 90° as fast as possible and then straighten up again as fast as possible Alternative 2 (e.g back pain): The patient bent his knees with straight upper body until touching his ankles at the inside with his fingers. Then straighten up as fast as possible. The patient imitates the motion of raising an heavy object

Field of application: Alternative 1:Analysis of the back muscular power output e.g. geriatrics Alternative 2:Every day abilities of back pain patient

Goals / results: Every day abilities

Measurement: Force, acceleration, velocity, power, body weight, symmetry of movement, L/R Comparison, changes of height of the CoG

BT: Balance Test

Type: Coordination test

Movement: Patient tries for a defined time (e.g., 60s) to stand on two or one leg (increased requirements)

Field of application: Used by geriatrist, if land test cannot be used, also used in field of Human Movements as coordination test.

Goals / results: Test of balance/ equilibrium -> Suitability for daily use for older patients -> risk of falls

Measurement: CoF (CoP) Variation: 90% Standard ellipsis, Path length, mean, standard deviation, CoF x,y, variation CoF (CoP)

What are the measured or calculated plots and analysis results provided by the Leonardo®?

The Leonardo® Mechanography v4.2 family includes the following measured or calculated plots and analysis results stored in the measurement database:

Plots:

The following plots can be displayed:

      •   Force: Total, left, right, L/R difference, bodyweight
      •   Force Changes: Total, left, right
      •   Power: Total, left, right, L/R difference, relative power
      •   Acceleration: Acceleration acting on the center of gravity (CoG) of the body
      •   Velocity: Velocity of the center of gravity (CoG) in the Z-axis (up/down)
      •   Energy: kinetic and potential energy of the body
      •   Height: Height of the center of gravity in relation to its starting position
      •   Stiffness: Whole body stiffness, stiffness left, stiffness right.
      •   CoF (CoP): (Only when using Leonardo GRFP 6003, 8-Channel, LEO-DAQ Interface)
Variation of the Center of Force (CoF also known as CoP) in the X/Y axis, L/R over time, F/R over time, 3D (X/Y over time)

Analysis Results:

Leonardo Mechanography v4.2 calculates the following analysis results depending on the selected measurement type:

      •   Maximum Force: Total, left, right, difference in %, relative to bodyweight (equivalent to Acceleration in g)
      •   Maximum Power: Total, left, right, difference in %, relative to bodyweight , Esslinger Fitness index (E.F.I.)
      •   Common Data: Body mass, age, jumping height (calculated from potential as well as from kinetic energy, difference of the two is also calculated), E.F.I., efficiency of movement
      •   During counter- / launching-movement: maximum velocity, velocity at h=0, Energy storage in relation to body weight, maximum counter movement
      •   Time/Phase: Counter movement time, Energy storage time, air time, time until standing still after motion
      •   Repeated Movements: Average jumping height, average rate of force development, number of repetitions, average duration and standard deviation of each repetition, average duration and standard deviation of air times, average duration and standard deviation of contact times.
      •   CoF (CoP): (Only when using Leonardo GRFP 6003, 8-Channel, LEO-DAQ Interface)
Area of 90% standard ellipsis, path length, average position, standard deviation from average position in L/R and F/R direction as well as independent of direction.
What software types are available for the Leonardo®?

Options of the analysis software Leonardo® GRFP Mechanography v4.2 with integrated patient and measurement results database for use with Leonardo® GRFP:

STD: Standard Edition includes the following tests:

      •   s2LJ, Single Two Leg Jump
(Counter Movement Jump, Squat Jump. e.g. for objective measurement of the individual performance)
      •   m1LJ, Multiple One Leg Jump
(one leg serial jumps for measurement of maximum (peak) ground reaction forces and stiffness per leg)
      •   CRT, Chair Rising Test 
(objective measurement of individual performance especially for geriatrics)
      •   BAss, Basic Assessment:
Automatic summary of all important results of all s2LJ and m1LJ of one Patient per measurement day

RES: Research Edition 


The RES Edition includes the additional test types:

      •   DJ, Drop Jump
(Test well used in sports and human movement for measurement of ground contact time)
      •   LT, Land Test 
(Analysis of the coordination during the landing process from a height of 20 to 46 cm)
      •   RT, Repetition Test
(Analysis of the variation of repeated movements)
      •   TRT, Trunk Rise Test
(Analysis of the muscles of the lower back during rise of the upper part of the body)
      •   BT, Balance Test
(Analysis of the balance (Variation of CoF (CoP), In a future Update also CoG) while standing on one leg)
      •   m2LJ, Multiple Two Leg Jump
(Analysis of peak forces, peak power and stiffness and especially the ability and efficiency of energy storage of the muscles)

The RES Edition includes the additional Modules:

Statistics Module:

      •   Complex database queries can be defined. All results stored in the database can be plotted against each other.
      •   The database queries can be stores and the results can be exported.
      •   Regression curves (linear, exponential, polynomial Order 2 to 6) can be fitted into the resulting scatter plot. Statistical Results are calculated (r. R², Cov, average values, Var, mse, and more).
      •   All measurements linked to a data point can be opened directly from the scatter plot (e.g. to easily identify inconsistent measurements).

Enhanced Database Module:

      •   Merge Databases: Databases can be merged automatically. Duplicate patient datasets and the corresponding measurement datasets can be linked automatically as well.

Describe the supported functions of the Leonardo® software.

The Leonardo® software will support the following functions:

Database:

      •   Separate patient database and measurement database: The measurement database only holds anonymous data. Anonymous measurement datasets and personal patient datasets are linked by a unique patient identifier. This identifier can be generated by Leonardo® Mechanography or manually (e.g. to simplify linking of patient datasets to other databases or management tools).
      •   Network Support: Several measurements workplaces or analysis workplaces can access a database at the same time. The database can also be located on a file server.
      •   Multiple Databases: As many databases as needed can be used.
      •   Fast Measurement Preview of measurements simplifies scrolling through the database and finding datasets.
      •   Powerful Search function for patient- and measurement-database make searching for patient- or measurement-datasets easy.
      •   Security: All databases can be password secured.
      •   Backup: Databases can be compressed to a ZIP file to simplify data backup.
      •   Update Databases: The database assistant supports the automated recalculation of all analysis results of all datasets stored in a database using the up to date analysis algorithms (e.g. after a major software update).
      •   Merge Databases: (RES-Edition only) The database assistant supports automated merging of databases. Redundant patient datasets and the corresponding measurement files can merge automatically as well.
      •   Statistics Analysis: (RES-Edition only) Complex database queries can be created and stored the results can be displayed in a scatter plot or be exported to a .csv file. Regression coves can be fitted to the resulting scatter plots.

Common Functions:

      •   Print: All analysis results can be printed as an easy to read report (using the Windows standard printer).
      •   Data-Export: Single measurements including all measurement plots and analysis results can be exported as a .csv file which can be opened using MS-Excel or other tools. Lists of analysis results of multiple measurements can also be exported in the same way.
RES-Edition: in addition all analysis results of a complex database query can be stored as a .csv file.
      •   Trend-Analysis: The development of up to 6 analysis results at once over time can be displayed graphically per patient.
      •   2D-Analysis: The variation of the CoF (CoP) of measurements acquired using an 8-channel Leonardo GRFP (6003, LEO-DAQ Interface) can be analyzed for any measurement type.
      •   Automated Update: If the computer running Leonado® Mechanography is connected to the Internet the software automatically checks for available updates. If an update has been found the changes compared to the currently installed version are displayed and the user can decide whether to automatically install the update or not.

User Manager: 

      •   The User Manager enables the Leonardo® Administrator to create or edit new user accounts. 
      •   Every user account can have different rights assigned to the various Leonardo® Mechanography functions.
      •   The conducting user is logged for each measurement (e.g. to enable analysis of systematic differences in huge studies depending on the different users) 

Compatibility: 

      •   Database Import: Databases of Leonardo® v3.x can be imported automatically. During the database import, all measurement datasets can be recalculated using the up to date analysis algorithms.

What hardware does the Leonardo® Mechanography v4.2 support?

Leonardo® Mechanography v4.2 supports the following hardware (Leonardo® GRFP):

      •   Leonardo GRFP 6003 (8-Channel, LEO-DAQ Interface)
      •   Leonardo GRFP 6002 (2-Channel, NI-DAQ Interface)
What Leonardo® models are available?

The Leonardo® product family includes the following products:

      •   Leonardo® GRFP (Ground Reaction Force Plate)
Motion analysis of physical parameters during every day movements (separate force sensors for left and right leg, position resolution, Center of Force)
      •   Leonardo® Research
Ground Reaction Force Plate based on the Leonardo® technology for power analysis of rats and mice for laboratory use to be combined with special training cages for controlled muscle and bone growth stimulation.
      •   Leonardo® GW (Gangway) (coming soon)
Modular Gangway based on the Leonardo® technology up to a length of 6 or 12m for gate analysis based on physical parameters as used in Leonardo® GRFP (Ground Reaction Force Plate with position resolution, analysis of force, power, energy, velocity, time and distance per step, separated for left and right leg)
      •   Leonardo® TT (Tilting Table) (coming soon) 
Measurement of peak forces of left and right leg separately for documentation of therapy / training success for example of the Galileo® Delta Table Training.
What accessories are available for the Leonardo®?

The following options and accessories are available for Leonardo products:

      •   Step / Chair for Leonardo® GRFP 
Steps and chairs in different heights (children: 34cm, adults: 46cm) for use during Chair Rising Test (CRT) or Land Test (LT).
      •   Video Option
High-speed camera synchronized with Leonardo® GRFP (80 Frames per second, videos are stored as compressed or uncompressed AVI-files).
This allows viewing of motions in slow-motion or frame per frame synchronized to the measurement and analysis results of Leonardo® Mechanography v4.1.