Abstract
Background and Objective Playing string instruments requires advanced motor skills and a long training that is often spent in uncomfortable postures that may lead to injuries or musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, it is interesting to objectively characterize the motor strategy adopted by the players. In this work, we implemented a method for the quantitative analysis of the motor performance of a violin player. Methods The proposed protocol takes advantage of an optoelectronic system and some infra-red reflecting markers in order to track player's motion. The method was tested on a professional violin player performing a legato bowing task. The biomechanical strategy of the upper limb and bow positioning were described by means of quantitative parameters and motion profiles. Measured quantities were: bow trajectory, angles, tracks, velocity, acceleration and jerk. Results A good repeatability of the bowing motion (CV < 2%) and high smoothness (jerk < 5 m/s3) were observed. Motion profiles of shoulder, elbow and wrist were repeatable (CV < 7%) and comparable to the curves observed in other studies. Jerk and acceleration profiles demonstrated high smoothness in the ascending and descending phases of bowing. High variability was instead observed for the neck angle (CV ∼56%). Conclusions “Quantitative” measurements, instead of “qualitative” observation, can support the diagnosis of motor disorders and the accurate evaluation of musicians’ skills. The proposed protocol is a powerful tool for the description of musician's performance, that may be useful to document improvements in playing abilities and to adjust training strategies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 19-27 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine |
| Volume | 149 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 1 2017 |
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Keywords
- Bowing
- Functional evaluation
- Motion capture
- Motor control
- Performance evaluation
- Violin playing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Software
- Computer Science Applications
- Health Informatics
Cite this
Three dimensional motion capture applied to violin playing : A study on feasibility and characterization of the motor strategy. / Ancillao, Andrea; Savastano, Bernardo; Galli, Manuela; Albertini, Giorgio.
In: Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine, Vol. 149, 01.10.2017, p. 19-27.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Three dimensional motion capture applied to violin playing
T2 - A study on feasibility and characterization of the motor strategy
AU - Ancillao, Andrea
AU - Savastano, Bernardo
AU - Galli, Manuela
AU - Albertini, Giorgio
PY - 2017/10/1
Y1 - 2017/10/1
N2 - Background and Objective Playing string instruments requires advanced motor skills and a long training that is often spent in uncomfortable postures that may lead to injuries or musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, it is interesting to objectively characterize the motor strategy adopted by the players. In this work, we implemented a method for the quantitative analysis of the motor performance of a violin player. Methods The proposed protocol takes advantage of an optoelectronic system and some infra-red reflecting markers in order to track player's motion. The method was tested on a professional violin player performing a legato bowing task. The biomechanical strategy of the upper limb and bow positioning were described by means of quantitative parameters and motion profiles. Measured quantities were: bow trajectory, angles, tracks, velocity, acceleration and jerk. Results A good repeatability of the bowing motion (CV < 2%) and high smoothness (jerk < 5 m/s3) were observed. Motion profiles of shoulder, elbow and wrist were repeatable (CV < 7%) and comparable to the curves observed in other studies. Jerk and acceleration profiles demonstrated high smoothness in the ascending and descending phases of bowing. High variability was instead observed for the neck angle (CV ∼56%). Conclusions “Quantitative” measurements, instead of “qualitative” observation, can support the diagnosis of motor disorders and the accurate evaluation of musicians’ skills. The proposed protocol is a powerful tool for the description of musician's performance, that may be useful to document improvements in playing abilities and to adjust training strategies.
AB - Background and Objective Playing string instruments requires advanced motor skills and a long training that is often spent in uncomfortable postures that may lead to injuries or musculoskeletal disorders. Thus, it is interesting to objectively characterize the motor strategy adopted by the players. In this work, we implemented a method for the quantitative analysis of the motor performance of a violin player. Methods The proposed protocol takes advantage of an optoelectronic system and some infra-red reflecting markers in order to track player's motion. The method was tested on a professional violin player performing a legato bowing task. The biomechanical strategy of the upper limb and bow positioning were described by means of quantitative parameters and motion profiles. Measured quantities were: bow trajectory, angles, tracks, velocity, acceleration and jerk. Results A good repeatability of the bowing motion (CV < 2%) and high smoothness (jerk < 5 m/s3) were observed. Motion profiles of shoulder, elbow and wrist were repeatable (CV < 7%) and comparable to the curves observed in other studies. Jerk and acceleration profiles demonstrated high smoothness in the ascending and descending phases of bowing. High variability was instead observed for the neck angle (CV ∼56%). Conclusions “Quantitative” measurements, instead of “qualitative” observation, can support the diagnosis of motor disorders and the accurate evaluation of musicians’ skills. The proposed protocol is a powerful tool for the description of musician's performance, that may be useful to document improvements in playing abilities and to adjust training strategies.
KW - Bowing
KW - Functional evaluation
KW - Motion capture
KW - Motor control
KW - Performance evaluation
KW - Violin playing
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U2 - 10.1016/j.cmpb.2017.07.005
DO - 10.1016/j.cmpb.2017.07.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 28802327
AN - SCOPUS:85024854541
VL - 149
SP - 19
EP - 27
JO - Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
JF - Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
SN - 0169-2607
ER -