Biomechanical human performance metrics of coordination and balance for operational decision-making

Abstract

The overall goal of this work is to develop a series of biomechanically-driven human performance metrics that aid operational decision-making. By quantifying inter-limb coordination and balance, we enable decoupling motor patterns without direct visual observation, providing objective feedback to decision-makers on the quality of human motion. To effectively develop and validate metrics for coordination and balance, we take a human-centered approach, contextualizing and evaluating in specific domains of interest. This work will focus on two: clinical geriatrics and aerospace spacesuit assembly (SSA) design. While these domains might seem distinct, both require a detailed understanding of nominal human motion and are interested in measuring deviation from desired motor patterns. To this end, we will test the hypothesis that we can augment decision-making in two domains of interest through the development and validation of biomechanically-driven human performance metrics for coordination and balance.