Case study

A3 Pulley Crimp Grip Analysis

This project evaluates finger-tendon loading during rock-climbing crimp grip by combining motion capture, force-plate measurements, and EMG analysis. MATLAB scripts estimate frame-by-frame A3 pulley forces, compare middle and ring finger behavior, and process FDP EMG envelopes for baseline versus active trials.

RoleBiomechanics modeling and MATLAB signal/data analysis

TimelineENGG3150 Module 4

FocusClimbing Biomechanics + EMG

Biomechanical force modelingEMG envelope processingMarker + force-plate integrationComparative trial analysis

MATLABPlatform

ENGG3150 Module 4Module

https://github.com/MaxwellM34/Measuring-A3-Pulleys-Forces-of-the-Ring-and-Middle-Finger-in-a-Rock-Climbing-Crimp-GripRepository

The brief

Challenge

Estimate pulley loading in a complex hand posture where tendon force, finger geometry, and contact mechanics all interact during crimp grip.

Approach

What we made

I combined VICON marker trajectories, force-plate components, and EMG signals in MATLAB, then used biomechanical equations to estimate A3 pulley forces and compare middle versus ring finger trial behavior.

Computed A3 pulley force estimates frame-by-frame from synchronized kinematic and force data.
Compared ring and middle finger loading patterns using RMS and distribution-based metrics.
Processed FDP EMG with band-pass filtering and normalized envelope analysis across trials.

Outcome

Results

Delivered reproducible scripts and report outputs quantifying A3 pulley force behavior and supporting interpretation of finger-specific loading risk in climbing grip mechanics.

MATLABVICON motion captureForce plateWireless EMG

Gallery

Visual snapshots

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