Game on: DMU debuts mobile lab for athlete performance

How it works: The inertial motion capture (IMC) system uses dozens of sensors to track and gather information on-site.

• It visualizes data via graphs and a skeletal avatar, allowing for immediate feedback to medical staff, expediting a patient's recovery.
• The technology also allows physical therapists to better analyze the force of acceleration on the body during activities like jumping or throwing in order to prevent injuries.

The big picture: Portable biomechanics labs are marketed as a new frontier in sports and rehabilitation science.

• Researchers have found IMC-based motion capture to be reliable for clinical use and athletic training.

What they're saying: The ability to conduct comprehensive 3D motion analysis on-site "is a game changer" for the community, Shane McClinton, a physical therapist at DMU Clinic, said in a press release this week.

Zoom in: The acquisition was made via a donation from West Des Moines residents Andy and Katie Snook. Their son Drew, a catcher at Valley High School, worked with DMU therapists during his recovery from an elbow injury.

• The University of Iowa Technology Institute has a similar system.

What's next: Patients can be referred to the DMU Clinic and anyone with commercial insurance can refer themselves for physical therapy and potentially utilize the system, Jody Gifford, a spokesperson for the school, tells Axios.

• It can also be incorporated into an overall sports performance and development program, she said.