From: Pierre
Gervais, PhD
University of Alberta
Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation
...............................................................................................................
Re. Ariel Dynamics Motion Analysis System
July 13, 1998
Director of the Sports Biomechanics Lab
Pierre Gervais, PhD.
Sincerely
I cannot think of a similar system that may provide more analysis
capabilities for the cost than the APAS system by Ariel Dynamics. For the money you can
not do better. I have no reservations about recommending the system to you. We have used
it almost exclusively in the lab since we purchased the system and have been very happy
with its capabilities. Best of luck in your deliberations.
Sorry for the delay in responding to your recent FAX. You caught me at
a very busy time. We have had the motion analysis system from Ariel Dynamics since January
of 1992. The system we purchased included 3D motion analysis software and analogue
software. In addition to the computer and monitors we received 2 SVHS camcorders, a Bertec
force platform and 4 channel EMG. The camera + VCR allows for a 60Hz sampling rate. The
Analogue allows 2000Hz over 16 channels. Generally we have been very pleased with the
system. In the realm of computers and similar technologies it has been as reliable as any
and I would probably suggest more robust than many. The people at Ariel dynamics have been
very good about keeping the system up an operational. I have found them to be very helpful
and accommodating. On a few occasions when a file or two has become corrupted they have
managed to correct the problem through a modem connection or through their ftp site.
Upgrades have also been available in this fashion. The system is heavily used for research
and teaching. It is used by staff, graduate students, and with some supervision
undergraduate students. It is often transported between the lab and other teaching and
research locations within our facilities within our faculty. I also frequently use it for
demonstrations in my large undergraduate classes. It has been used in a wide variety of
research projects in different sports in differing environments. For example: in figure
skating: a large 3D volume in an ice skating arena., in gymnastics analysing dismounts
from Parallel bars and Horizontal bar, in Wheelchair basketball, treadmill running and
skating, indoor rowing, and softball pitching to name a few.
Dear Dr.