Motion Analysis, Video Motion Capture and Video Analysis Software

slow motion video, slow motion cameras

motion analysis, slow motion cameras, biomechanics motion capture

Company Background

Sports Motion, Inc. (SMI) was founded through the efforts and experience of Joe Smull, head baseball coach at Penn State, Lou Smull, a photographer and Jay Lomberk, owner and president of Computer Systems Associates. After over 25 years of athletic coaching and baseball instruction, coach Smull concluded that, even with all of the advances in science and technology, the tools available to athletic coaches for training athletes in today’s world are still relatively primitive. Mr. Smull also found that modern studies now show that 90% of all human communication is NON-VERBAL. This was especially interesting as a coach when considering that most athletic training is done VERBALLY. In fact, coaches, instructors and parents teach using mostly VERBAL instructions. So why do we continue to train athletes VERBALLY? Because there have been no other alternatives.

The mission of SMI was to develop new, non-verbal methods for athletic training. The natural solutions all pointed to the use of visual means for communication and training rather than verbal. And, of course, visual training is best handled today by modern video equipment and video motion analysis techniques. This ultimately led to the conclusion that the best tool a coach could have is the ability to show an athlete EXACTLY how he or she looks during a particular event and then be able to visually describe corrective action to the athlete in an accurate and meaningful fashion. Well, there are professional video tape machines available which can do video motion analysis but they are out of the price range of most coaches and athletic departments and they cannot be carried onto a playing field where they are really needed. Further research into using conventional cameras and VCR/TV video equipment proved unacceptable for the challenge. With no other options available, SMI set out to develop a totally new solution to video motion analysis and instant replay that would be both low-cost and portable. The idea was to give coaches a new tool that they could take with them to practice sessions and use side-by-side with their athletes to point out motion problems and immediately work on corrective actions.

SMI developed a portable field system, called Pro-Trainer, that combined the latest breed of digital video camcorders with the power of personal computers to produce a totally new and powerful tool for athletic coaches at all levels: digital video capture and computer analysis. This new innovation delivers everything a coach needs including instant replay, slow motion, freeze-frame and more, all at a full 60 to 1200 frames per second. And, best of all, the cost for these new motion analysis tools is well within the reach of any school, college or athletic organization.

Our products have had such universal appeal that other fields have now begun to use them. Nearly half of our customers are now coming from the medical and research fields. Applications range from physical therapy and sports medicine to biomechanics research.

Toll-free (US only): 888-265-6226
International: 001-760-942-0116
Fax: 760-942-6285
email: salesinfo@sports-motion.com
Sales/support hours: 8AM-4PM PST

Sports Motion, Inc.
Offices located in California