HUMAN MOVEMENT AND REHABILITATION - 2020/1

Module code: ENGM260

Module Overview

The module provides students with up-to-date knowledge on the assessment of human movement with a focus on clinical gait analysis. It includes an in-depth evaluation of state-of-the-art measurement and analysis tools currently used in gait and performance management.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

OLDFIELD Matthew (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 104

Lecture Hours: 33

Laboratory Hours: 13

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

Normal entry requirements for the Biomedical Engineering MSc degree programme.

Module content

Indicative content includes:


  • Motor control and development of human movement skills.

  • Gait analysis; determinants of gait, the gait cycle, the main classes of measurement (e.g. spatial and temporal, kinematic, kinetic and neurophysiology).

  • Technical descriptions and review of tools used in movement analysis, for example: body-worn inertial sensors, force plates and platforms, goniometry, observational gait tools, passive/active marker detection, plantar pressure systems, in-vivo force transducers and EMG.

  • Theoretical foundations of three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic analysis of gait.

  • Gait patterns associated with pathology and the underpinning biomechanics principles of movement compensation. 

  • An overview of kinematic analysis of upper-limb motion.

  • Related topics such as methods used in sports performance analysis and injury prevention strategies.

  • Practical laboratory-based 3D gait measurement, using state of the art motion capture and kinetic measurement systems. 

  • Analysis of experimental 3D gait data using dedicated professional software.


Assessment pattern

Assessment type Unit of assessment Weighting
Coursework COURSEWORK REPORT 40
Examination EXAM 2 HOURS 60

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

·        an understanding of the methods used in analysing movement analysis and the limitations of measurement and analysis technique – examination

·        their ability apply their understanding of movement analysis techniques to process and analyse raw movement data and to present their findings in a clear and coherent manner – coursework

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

·        Examination [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ]

·        Coursework [Learning Outcomes 6, 7, 8]

Formative assessment and feedback

Formative feedback will be provided in interactive laboratory sessions and in written format for the coursework submission. 

Module aims

  • An understanding of the basis of human movement, functional ability and the limitations inherent in current databases.
  • An understanding of the scope and limitations of current methods used to measure and analyse human movement
  • The skills required to be able to critically evaluate and appropriately interpret movement data in light of the limitations of the methods and relevance to the application.
  • The acquisition of first-hand practical skills in collecting, measuring and analysing movement using state of the art equipment and associated software.

Learning outcomes

Attributes Developed
001 Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge of the issues underpinning human movement analysis and gait, and their relevance to the clinic (Q1) (SM1m) K
002 Demonstrate ability to identify and integrate relevant biomechanics concepts and fundamentals of human biology to interpret data relevant to human movement analysis (Q1) (SM3m) C
003 Reflect on and critically evaluate the measurement and analysis tools used in movement analysis and their appropriateness for different applications – (Q2) (SM2m, EA3m) CP
006 Demonstrate basic skills in gait analysis. (Q3) (P3) P
007 Identify technical and practical challenges and their subsequent effect on developments in the field. (Q4) (EA3m, EA5m, EA6m, EL1m, P8) CP
008 Deal with complex issues related to human movement and make sound conclusions based on a complete movement data set and an appreciation of the limitations of current tools. (Q5) (SM6m, EA6m) KCP
005 Independently continue to advance knowledge of the subject from the body of literature in order to tackle new and emerging problems. (EA5m, P9m) CT
004 Recognise the scope of the methods used in movement analysis beyond traditional applications in gait analysis e.g. in sports and animation. (Q10) (SM6m, EA6m) K

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:


  • Provide students with knowledge of the fundamental concepts involved in analysing movement and their application, principally through lectures.

  • Provide students with hands-on experience in collecting, processing and analysing movement data, through practical sessions.



The learning and teaching methods include traditional lectures, laboratory-based practical work, hands-on processing of movement data and independent study. 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM260

Programmes this module appears in

Programme Semester Classification Qualifying conditions
Biomedical Engineering MSc 2 Compulsory A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Biomedical Engineering MEng 2 Optional A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.