Experiential Learning: Improving Agility and Coordination with a Piezoelectric Agility Ladder (PLA)

Bala Maheswaran; Carmen Cheng; Steven Rotolo

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Conference: ASEE Zone 1 Conference - Spring 2023
Location: State College,, Pennsylvania
Publication Date: March 30, 2023
Start Date: March 30, 2023
End Date: April 12, 2023
Page Count: 15
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--44701
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/44701
Download Count: 87

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Paper Authors

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Bala Maheswaran Northeastern University

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Bala Maheswaran, PhD
Northeastern University
367 Snell Engineering Center
Boston, MA 02115

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Carmen Cheng

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Steven Rotolo Northeastern University

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Abstract

This work was carried out within the framework of an innovative teaching approach used in a newly designed 8-credit engineering course for engineering students, the “cornerstone of engineering.” The undergraduate students did this work. This approach is very effective and well suited to educate students. Rather than just studying for exams to gain good grades, these skill- and knowledge-integrated approaches help highly motivated students to interact with other students and faculties from various institutions and take further strides towards real world issues. In addition, these project-based experiential learning activities help students to master various skills, such as research, collaboration, design, construction, teamwork, and technical writing, and more. An “agility ladder” is a piece of equipment that aids in performing a variety of high-intensity agility drills. Most often used by professional trainers in sports and the fitness industry, it has regardless found its way into assisted-living homes, schools, and physical rehabilitation centers.

Despite its growing popularity and potential applications toward improving physical coordination and agility, standard agility ladders are inherently flawed: they do not provide the user with feedback. Improvement in health and fitness is often tracked via trends. These include resting heart rate, body mass, body fat, and VO2 max (maximal aerobic capacity). With current agility ladders, there is no easily accessible method of gathering the data needed to create and track such a trend. This inhibits users from obtaining important feedback that provides valuable moral encouragement for future training adjustments. Such a solution would be attractive to competitive athletes looking to maximize performance as well as more “ordinary” users looking to improve their quality of life. As proven by the YMCA’s sudden growth because of “the real demand for [its] kinder, gentler approach and broadly accessible moves” (Mull), people young and old strive for exercises with tangible and measurable returns.

The aim of this work was to eliminate the weakness of traditional agility ladders using piezoelectric (PZT) sensors. When the user performs an exercise with the device, the pressure and vibration from their steps activates the sensors on the mat. Using a programmable microcontroller’s (Arduino) in-built clock, the average time between steps is measured and recorded. By integrating a quantitative aspect into this already widely used exercise equipment, the ladder becomes focused on improvement. In this manner, the ladder applies to anyone who has the desire to improve their agility, coordination, or overall fitness, regardless of age or current ability.

Integrating the aforementioned technology to create a solution has yielded our Piezoelectric Agility Ladder, or PAL. Compared to a traditional agility ladder it is significantly heavier. This is due to the material used and requirement that each pad be a discrete piece of it. A final design ought to be made of thinner and lighter material. Using modern manufacturing methods, relatively large microcontrollers and their associated wiring can be reduced in size and better integrated. Despite these transient limitations, our current prototype functions as designed, and measures the interval between steps on consecutive pads. It proves the viability of enhancing an agility ladder with piezoelectric sensors, opening the door for future research in the practical deployment of the device in physical therapy and other settings.

Citation
Format

Maheswaran, B., & Cheng, C., & Rotolo, S. (2023, March), Experiential Learning: Improving Agility and Coordination with a Piezoelectric Agility Ladder (PLA) Paper presented at ASEE Zone 1 Conference - Spring 2023, State College,, Pennsylvania. 10.18260/1-2--44701

TY - CPAPER
AB - This work was carried out within the framework of an innovative teaching approach used in a newly designed 8-credit engineering course for engineering students, the “cornerstone of engineering.” The undergraduate students did this work. This approach is very effective and well suited to educate students. Rather than just studying for exams to gain good grades, these skill- and knowledge-integrated approaches help highly motivated students to interact with other students and faculties from various institutions and take further strides towards real world issues. In addition, these project-based experiential learning activities help students to master various skills, such as research, collaboration, design, construction, teamwork, and technical writing, and more.
An “agility ladder” is a piece of equipment that aids in performing a variety of high-intensity agility drills. Most often used by professional trainers in sports and the fitness industry, it has regardless found its way into assisted-living homes, schools, and physical rehabilitation centers.

Despite its growing popularity and potential applications toward improving physical coordination and agility, standard agility ladders are inherently flawed: they do not provide the user with feedback. Improvement in health and fitness is often tracked via trends. These include resting heart rate, body mass, body fat, and VO2 max (maximal aerobic capacity). With current agility ladders, there is no easily accessible method of gathering the data needed to create and track such a trend. This inhibits users from obtaining important feedback that provides valuable moral encouragement for future training adjustments. Such a solution would be attractive to competitive athletes looking to maximize performance as well as more “ordinary” users looking to improve their quality of life. As proven by the YMCA’s sudden growth because of “the real demand for [its] kinder, gentler approach and broadly accessible moves” (Mull), people young and old strive for exercises with tangible and measurable returns.

The aim of this work was to eliminate the weakness of traditional agility ladders using piezoelectric (PZT) sensors. When the user performs an exercise with the device, the pressure and vibration from their steps activates the sensors on the mat. Using a programmable microcontroller’s (Arduino) in-built clock, the average time between steps is measured and recorded. By integrating a quantitative aspect into this already widely used exercise equipment, the ladder becomes focused on improvement. In this manner, the ladder applies to anyone who has the desire to improve their agility, coordination, or overall fitness, regardless of age or current ability.

Integrating the aforementioned technology to create a solution has yielded our Piezoelectric Agility Ladder, or PAL. Compared to a traditional agility ladder it is significantly heavier. This is due to the material used and requirement that each pad be a discrete piece of it. A final design ought to be made of thinner and lighter material. Using modern manufacturing methods, relatively large microcontrollers and their associated wiring can be reduced in size and better integrated. Despite these transient limitations, our current prototype functions as designed, and measures the interval between steps on consecutive pads. It proves the viability of enhancing an agility ladder with piezoelectric sensors, opening the door for future research in the practical deployment of the device in physical therapy and other settings.

AU - Bala Maheswaran
AU - Carmen Cheng
AU - Steven Rotolo
CY - State College,, Pennsylvania
DA - 2023/03/30
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Experiential Learning: Improving Agility and Coordination with a Piezoelectric Agility Ladder (PLA)
UR - https://strategy.asee.org/44701
DO - 10.18260/1-2--44701
ER -