PowerLab Used in Human Evolution Studies
The human evolution research by Professor Daniel Lieberman from Harvard University, featuring a PowerLab data acquisition system, was screened as part of the Evolve: Skin documentary series on the History Channel. Professor Lieberman’s research delved into the advantages provided by the multitude of anatomical features in early hominids in developing human running capacity and why sweating as a form of thermoregulation was paramount to the success of human evolution.Watch an extracted clip of Evolve: Skin documentary series!
Professor Lieberman’s research in the Evolve: Skin documentary series was published in the Journal of Experimental Biology (Issue 209, page 2143-2155) and uses ADInstruments PowerLab data acquisition system and Chart software to record signals from EMG electrodes placed over the center of the right and left gluteus maximus muscle (the main muscle of the buttocks). His research shows the importance of the human gluteus maximus muscle in improving running performance and how a large gluteus maximus contributed to human evolution.
Method: Nine volunteers participated in this study (5 females and 4 males; 20 - 28 years old)... Disposable, self-sticking, pre-wired surface EMG electrodes were placed over the center of their right and left gluteus maximus (GM) approximately 5–6 cm below the cranial origin of the muscle. Surface EMGs were used and were secured to the skin at the approximate midpoints between origin and insertion of the biceps femoris (hamstrings), and the gluteus medius. Electrodes were plugged into grounded preamplifiers worn on a waist belt connected via a lightweight fiber-optic cable to a MA300 EMG amplifier (Motion Analysis Inc.). Loose wires were taped to the skin to prevent signal artifacts associated with wire movement during locomotion. The analog signal was passed through an A/D board (PowerLab, ADInstruments Inc., Colorado Springs, CO, USA) and data were captured at 4000 Hz and monitored in real time using Chart software (ADInstruments, Inc.).
To view the abstract from Professor Lieberman research in the Journal of Experimental Biology or to find other publications citing ADInstruments’ products, visit our research citations page.
About Daniel Lieberman
Professor Daniel Lieberman is a Professor of Biological Anthropology at Harvard University. He received his PhD in Anthropology in 1993 from Harvard University. Professor Lieberman currently holds a research and teaching position at Harvard University teaching various science courses majoring in Human Evolution. Click here to read more on Professor Lieberman’s research. Visit our PowerLab in Use page for more PowerLab application stories
11 May 2009
Share