Discriminant analysis of human kinematic data: application to human lumbarspinal motion

A study was undertaken to determine the applicability of a multivariate dis criminant technique in order to analyse human kinematic data, specifically lumbar motion during forward flexion. This method was used in an attempt to allow comparison of time-series data (three joint angles and three linear displacements) between groups of subjects. Results obtained from ten health y subjects performing simulated abnormal styles of forward flexion indicate the feasibility and potential utility of this method in a clinical environ ment. Further investigations will be undertaken on clinical subjects to dis criminate more effectively between healthy and pathological movements.