Athletes are always looking for another way to get the edge over their competition, whether you’re a high school athlete or weekend warrior. Imagine if you had a team of experts at your disposal – physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength coaches, and even biomechanical engineers – to help take your performance to the next level.

The Motion Analysis Lab at the Bone & Joint Institute is making that dream a reality for athletes using state-of-the-art technology.

Here’s how the Motion Analysis Lab can help elevate your game, according to Stefanie Bourassa, sports medicine clinical program director and motion lab manager at the Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute.

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A personalized approach to performance

Every athlete who arrives at the Motion Analysis Lab starts with a complete functional and fitness evaluation for their sport or activity.

“Our goal with athletes, no matter what level they are, is to take the whole body approach to assisting with performance goals, injury reduction and optimizing outcomes,” Bourassa says.

The end result is an analysis report and individualized training program focused on improving muscle strength, power, speed, agility, and minimizing biomechanical risk factors related to injury.

A high-tech approach to athletics

The Motion Analysis Lab offers custom evaluations for a number of sports and movements, including throwing or pitching analysis, volleyball or lacrosse mechanics, golf or tennis swing, cycling, running and more.

“We developed a unique athlete performance profile evaluation and utilize technology to collect data that helps profile athletes to maximize their body’s ability to perform,” Bourassa says.

The technology utilized at the Motion Analysis Lab includes:

  • A 12-camera video capture and analysis system that assesses sport-specific motion to reduce injury risk and improve performance
  • Force plates that look at the pressure involved in jumping and running to improve stride patterns, injury risks, and movement mechanics.
  • Wireless electromyography, using sensors placed on the body, that analyze muscle activation and disfunction to reduce injury and enhance performance

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Resources to refine your training.

Outside of the Motion Analysis Lab, the Bone & Joint Institute offers a wide range of services that athletes need to stay healthy, prevent injuries and enhance overall performance: