Online
digitization (NetDigi) is a biomechanical task which can be performed between
different geographical locations using the Internet as the interfacing
medium. These video clips can be transmitted digitally in AVI format to a
server in one part of the world and then interfaced to the biomechanical program for
further analysis. Many Olympic events make fixed laboratory studies difficult,
such as equine, sailing, or distance skiing. Coaches can film actual
performances on site using cameras with direct AVI format input attached to Laptop
computers. These files can then be digitized or ansmitted through Internet
protocols.
Biomechanical quantification has developed far beyond
the pioneers who relied upon visual observations of animation to describe
movement. The revolution continued with improvements in cameras, the
introduction of computers, development of various algorithms to better fit the data, and
expansion beyond sports studies. Additional innovations in the process are
expected as the Internet further evolves into newer presentation technologies involving
animation and virtual reality (e.g. Java and VRML).
Access to global resources via the
Internet expands biomechanics beyond a fixed geographical location. This has
direct applications in medical research and industrial engineering where, frequently,
transmission and processing of research data between remote sites has to occurr in
realtime mode.
Ariel Dynamics Worldwide offers the serious sports
professional its premier
NetDigi
service. This valuable tool is actually a state of the art online delivery
system that allows motion analysis studies to be performed on an athlete's performance
even though he (or she) may reside on another continent, and what is more important, for
the results to be delivered quickly to the athlete or the coach in a matter of
hours. The system, as it is actually being developed, is designed to utilize
the latest in client/server and Internet technology to achieve these results.