Design and Evaluation of a Touch Activated Glove System for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Studies

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

3-7-2016

Publication Title

Proceedings of the ASME 2015 International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition

DOI

10.1115/IMECE2015-52240

ISBN

978-0-7918-5738-0

Abstract

Upper extremity plyometric exercises show potential for shoulder injury prevention and rehabilitation. Plyometric exercises are physical activities in which muscles are extended and contracted in a rapid and repetitive manner. An example of a plyometric shoulder exercise consists of repeatedly throwing and catching a medicine ball into a trampoline system as quickly as possible. However, proper characterization of the efficacy of the exercise requires knowledge of ball contact events; specifically, the ball contact and release times. The objective of this work was to design and test a low cost touch activated glove system that could be used to determine contact events during upper extremity plyometric exercises. The sensor design consists of a neoprene frame over which layers of Velostat® film and copper fabric are arranged to create a pressure sensitive on-off switch. Individual sensors were constructed for digits II through IV and two for the upper palm area. Each sensor was attached to a nylon glove and wired to a terminal block, circuit board and battery pack situated on the back of the hand. A second nylon glove was used to cover and protect the sensors. Contact versus no contact sensor resistance was experimentally determined by measuring the sensors’ resistance when pressure was applied to various regions of the sensor contact area. This was used to anticipate the analogous contact verses no contact sensor voltage. The response time of the sensors plus measurement circuit was also determined by measuring the rise and fall time of the glove system due to contact events. Activated sensors produce a high voltage (> 3.0V) in the measurement circuit and indicate contact. The touch activated glove system was successfully used in a research study to quantify the intensity of overhand plyometric throwing and in another study to determine the biomechanical variables for the single arm seated shot put upper extremity functional performance test.

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Copyright © 2015 by ASME

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