MotionXcellence - In the News

Giving athletes an edge
Sports business uses computer technology

By MICHAEL AMSEL
TOMS RIVER BUREAU

Athletes of all ages always are seeking ways to improve their skills. They always are looking for that extra edge that can push them past the competition.

Some of them have found it at the MotionXcellence Sports Performance Lab on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach.

MotionXcellence uses a computerized motion-capture technology, coupled with analysis by sports performance experts, to help baseball players, runners, golfers and other athletes take their game to the next level, said Dr. Philip Skiba, medical director for the MotionXcellence program.

"Traditionally, when trying to help people with their form, you had to rely on the human eye," said Skiba, an attending physician at Meridian Occupational Health in Lakewood. "Using our type of equipment, you can quantify. You can see where a pitcher`s elbow is this many degrees off and we tell him, "This is what you have to work on to get it where it should be.` "

The technology breaks down an athlete`s mechanics into 120 slices per second. Then, the visual data is analyzed by the sports experts and used to improve function, form and technique. The athletes are given exercises and specific drills to help them make the adjustments.

Barbara Salerno said rehabilitation at MotionXcellence has really helped her 16-year-old son, Michael, a pitcher for Brick Memorial High School. Michael suffered a strain in his rotator cuff and doctors at MotionXcellence studied his sidearm delivery to see what was causing the injury.

"They tweaked his pitching motion because he was using his back muscle to compensate the pectoral muscle in his chest," Barbara said. "He went through eight weeks of strengthening exercises, heat and massage and he is almost 100 percent now. He was able to avoid surgery because of the program. The big thing is they are not only able to identify an athlete`s problem, but they can see where problems may arise in the future."

Joe Donahue, a triathlete from Point Pleasant, learned from the motion technology that he needed to lean forward with his running style and land "more mid-foot."

"Running is the one sport of the three (biking, swimming) that has the most impact on your legs so that`s where you see a lot of injuries," said Donahue. "I am looking to prevent some of those injuries by getting a better form. When you get deeper in the race, you tend to fatigue. What I saw on the computer was I needed to hold my form better and that would produce a much better run."

Donahue trains with Dave Slavinski and Brian Norling, both triathletes from Point Pleasant. They have all been to the lab to have their running styles analyzed.

"I have been running for 20 years and I am trying to prevent some of the reoccurring injuries," said Slavinski, 38. "I am learning how to take some pressure of my Achilles (tendon) because that is where I have had problems. You can see through this technology bio-mechanically how you run and it`s really fascinating."

Like his friends, Norling has had his share of physical injuries and sought aid at MotionXcellence.

"My calf muscle has always been a problem spot," said Norling, as he strapped on the testing equipment. "So I am anxious to see myself in action and find out what I can do to help prevent that in the future."

MotionXcellence is not just for athletes looking to improve their performances, or prevent injuries.

It also provides occupational health analysis for businesses that have employees who are injured and need to be evaluated before returning to work.

The technology also can help manage and improve the mechanics of injured and disabled people. A young child with an awkward walking gait has sought assistance at the lab, as have some adults with prosthetic limbs.

MotionXcellence is pleased to announce our sponsorship with Brielle Performance Center

Please visit them at www.brielleperformancecenter.com

Visit this section often to learn more about the latest and greatest in technologies brought to you by the MotionXcellence Sports Performance Lab.