Lic. seminarium i maskinteknik med Otto Hofstätter
Välkommen till lic. seminarium i maskinteknik med Otto Hofstätter som kommer att försvara sin licentiatavhandling med titeln "Development of a methodology for mobile balance assessment for athletes to record progress during field measurements".
Datum: 4 december 2026
Tid: Kl. 10–13
Plats: Q221, Hus Q, Campus Östersund eller via Zoom
Avhandlingens titel: Development of a methodology for mobile balance assessment for athletes to record progress during field measurements
Handledare: Prof. Mikael Bäckström
Biträdande handledare: Dr. Anton Sabo
Extern examinator: Prof. Dr. Uwe Kersting
Zoomlänk till lic. seminiariet kommer att publiceras här i slutet av november.
Abstract
New Open-Source Framework "OpenBalance" Advances Field-Based Balance Assessment
To overcome the physiological ceiling effects and mobility limits of traditional force plates, a new licentiate thesis introduces "OpenBalance"—a mobile, hardware-interoperable methodology for assessing dynamic posture in field settings.
The system features a decentralized multi-cell force platform designed to reduce mechanical crosstalk (<1%) and system inertia, paired with an open-source computational pipeline compatible with proprietary devices (e.g., Tetrax, Tymo) and laboratory reference platforms (e.g., AMTI, Kistler).
Using a progressive 8-stage testing protocol, OpenBalance evaluates motor control under varying visual, somatosensory, and vestibular challenges. Computational additions like the Outlier Excursion Ratio (OER) capture transient stabilizing movements, while benchtop testing highlights how equipment like foam pads can mechanically alter sway trajectories independently of human balance control. OpenBalance provides an accessible solution for clinical biomechanics and sports science.