Quantum Movement combines motion capture, camera footage, and software to create an all-in-one tool for physical therapy, performance analysis, and training.
Challenge:
Biomechanics tools tend to be costly, complex, and limited to elite athletes, leaving most practitioners and athletes reliant on less accurate observational analysis.
Solution:
Quantum Movement combined Xsens motion capture with camera footage and software to deliver research-grade accuracy, real-time biofeedback, and a portable setup, making advanced biomechanics accessible to all.
Key takeaways:
- Real-time biofeedback: Athletes and patients can instantly correct movements, especially valuable for ACL rehabilitation and injury prevention.
- Simple, portable setup: Only a camera and a small set of sensors are needed: no lab required.
- Democratizing biomechanics: Quantum Movement bridges the gap between elite sports technology and the broader athletic and fitness community.
Sport – whether that's football, swimming, mixed martial arts, or anything in between – is one of the most physically demanding occupations. Athletes are injured regularly. Training regimes become more detailed. But preparing plans for each individual is costly and complex.
When starting Quantum Movement, CEO and founder Andy Barr recognized that sports biomechanics and its technology weren’t accessible enough, and only top-class athletes could access them. Everyone else, including sportspeople and those looking to improve their fitness, would rely on outdated methods of physical assessment, such as observational analysis, which lack data-driven insights.
The team solved this by combining video with inertial motion capture. This allowed them to capture the smaller details, such as subtle joint rotations, acceleration, and balance, that are impossible to see with the naked eye. The goal was to bring elite insight into a format that could be used by everyday practitioners and athletes alike.
Research-grade accuracy
In his work as a physical therapist, Andy had witnessed just how many practitioners used traditional forms of biomechanical analysis. Observational measurements such as range of motion, resistance, and strength are now being replaced by technology and quantifiable metrics.
“I had my eye on Xsens from the beginning because of its strong reputation in the research sector,” says Andy. “We often see it used in the elite sports industry because of its granular detail. I wanted to bring this research-grade accuracy to Quantum Movement and have its quality become available to more people.”
The Quantum Movement system also integrates with witness camera footage, making it ideal for including visual components along with numerical information. A single camera – for example, a GoPro or the new mobile app – can be used alongside five Xsens DOT sensors to analyze almost any testing or training scenario. Xsens then uses this footage and extracts data, recording angles for every joint down to the exact detail. And thanks to its post-processing software, the information can also be used instantly.
Generating real-time feedback
“Our biofeedback mode allows athletes and sports enthusiasts to track their progress as they are working out,” explains Bart Piwowar, VP of Product at Quantum Movement. “Users select key metrics such as joint angle, body movement, or center of mass, and watch as the graph updates in real time.”
Making this possible is Xsens’ wireless inertial sensors. The motion capture system links to a laptop or tablet and displays its data within the Quantum Movement platform in an easy-to-read graph. Usually, biomechanical analysis is done after the recordings are taken. But now, changes can be made to form and body movement while performing.
“A key focus for the Quantum Movement team is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation,” continues Bart. “It’s one of the most common and debilitating injuries in sport.”
Effective recovery requires patients to progress based on clear, evidence-based criteria that indicate which activities they’re ready for and vice versa. “Without this structure, patients often either attempt movements too soon (increasing the risk of re-injury) or fail to advance when appropriate,” Bart adds. “Unfortunately, both scenarios occur far too frequently.”
Quantum Movement addresses this gap by combining its software and methodology with Xsens DOT technology. Using real-time biofeedback, patients and practitioners can monitor joint angles, assess movement quality, and receive corrective feedback during rehabilitation exercises. This not only provides objective guidance throughout the recovery process but also boosts confidence, improves outcomes, and significantly reduces the likelihood of ACL re-injury.
For athletes and researchers
Because of its unique toolset, the team’s technology is designed for quick and easy setup, enabling technical, athletic, and non-experts to use it as it suits them.
“This is different from your usual lab-based approach,” continues Andy. “You only need a camera, a set of Xsens sensors, and somewhere to send the data to. That means you can use it in the gym, on the field, or at home, with minimal preparation required.”
A new method of biomechanical analysis
Quantum Movement is redefining how practitioners, athletes, and rehab professionals approach human movement analysis. By integrating Xsens inertial motion capture technology with intuitive software and camera footage, the team delivers a powerful, portable alternative to outdated, subjective systems. The result is a comprehensive, real-time solution that offers research-grade accuracy, without the complexity or exclusivity of elite-level setups.
Whether it’s supporting ACL rehab, refining movement technique, or preventing injury, Quantum Movement empowers users with the data they need, when they need it. Thanks to the reliability and precision of Xsens, Quantum is helping democratize advanced biomechanics, making high-quality motion analysis accessible far beyond the world of professional sport.
Interested in what Xsens can do for your sports training and recovery? Take a look at our motion capture products.
