As the UK distributor for Noraxon, HaB direct is excited to bring you the latest enhancements in the MR4 software: the Fall 2025 Release. This update introduces major improvements in calibration flexibility, force plate analytics and biofeedback support, all designed to extend the capabilities of your Noraxon motion analysis systems for clinical, sport performance and research environments. Below is a clear overview of what is new, why it matters and how this benefits users in the UK.
What’s New
1. Virtual Calibration Adjustment Tool (vCAT) BETA
One of the standout new features is the Virtual Calibration Adjustment Tool, also called vCAT. According to Noraxon, calibration can often be difficult, especially when subjects cannot assume a perfect neutral posture because of movement restrictions or habitual offsets. vCAT provides an intuitive workflow that lets you refine calibration using any captured frame, and it includes landmark dragging, segment rotation, undo and redo options and instant avatar updates. It is being released as a BETA feature so that users can provide feedback.
Why this matters for you:
- Clinicians working with patients who cannot assume ideal posture gain the ability to correct for offsets and produce more accurate joint angle data.
- Sports scientists and performance labs capturing athletes with habitual postural biases can now align the biomechanical model more realistically.
- For UK users supported by HaB direct, this feature increases the robustness of Noraxon’s IMU based motion capture in challenging real world setups.
2. Horizontal Jump and Change of Direction Analysis for Force Plates
Another major enhancement is the addition of horizontal jump and change of direction analysis with anterior posterior and mediolateral shear force metrics. Noraxon notes that the Fall 2025 release includes automated subphase detection for movements such as unweighting, braking, propulsion, flight and stabilisation. Jump Loop also now supports AP and ML forces, acceleration, velocity and centre of pressure signals for richer visual analysis.
Why this matters for you:
- Horizontal and cutting movements are central to most field sports in the UK including football, rugby and hockey. Being able to quantify braking, propulsion, asymmetry and directional change provides more meaningful insights.
- Researchers and labs using force plates gain access to one of the few commercial systems offering this level of built in horizontal and change of direction analysis.
- For HaB direct customers, this significantly increases the value of Noraxon force plates in both high performance and research environments.
3. Optional Pre Contact Phase for Jump and Cutting Analysis
Another useful improvement is the optional Pre Contact phase. This lets you examine neuromuscular activity before ground contact. You can specify the duration of the pre contact phase, and this information integrates directly into timelines, overlays and reports. If you choose not to use the feature, existing workflows remain unchanged.
Why this matters:
- Pre contact behaviour is becoming increasingly important in injury risk screening and return to play protocols.
- UK clinicians and performance practitioners can use this feature to improve assessment quality and the reliability of return to play decisions.
4. IMU Acceleration Support for Biofeedback
The update also expands the biofeedback options by allowing raw IMU acceleration channels to be used directly in the biofeedback interface. This includes raw acceleration from Ultium Motion and Research Pro IMUs. The update means you can perform joint angle analysis and acceleration based feedback within the same workflow.
Why this matters:
- Practitioners who rely on IMUs for real time feedback during high velocity tasks can now deliver more responsive training cues.
- This strengthens the overall value of the Noraxon IMU ecosystem for UK performance, rehab and research settings.
What It Means for HaB direct UK Customers
As the UK distributor for Noraxon, HaB direct is ready to guide users through the update and help you maximise the benefits.
Upgrade eligibility: The Fall 2025 release is now available. You can check your eligibility directly through Noraxon’s MR Maintenance Status page at https://www.noraxon.com/maintenance/. This allows you to enter your MR licence number to see your maintenance status, expiration date, platform update eligibility and the latest version available. It also provides guidance on where to find your licence number inside the software.
The expanded capabilities support sport science labs, strength and conditioning environments, universities, clinics and NHS based rehabilitation teams across the UK. As vCAT is still in BETA, UK customer feedback is valuable. HaB direct can assist in passing feedback to Noraxon. Full details of the Fall 2025 release or MR4 can be found here.
Quick Reference Summary of Key New Features
| Feature | What it Adds | Who benefits | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| vCAT Virtual Calibration Adjustment Tool | Flexible calibration adjustment for IMUs | Clinicians, researchers, sport practitioners | Useful for rehab and performance labs with non ideal posture subjects |
| Horizontal Jump and Change of Direction Analysis | Automated AP and ML shear force metrics and subphase detection | Strength coaches, sport scientists, research labs | Supports field sports common in the UK |
| Optional Pre Contact Phase | Neuromuscular analysis before ground contact | Clinicians and RTP professionals | Helps enhance screening and return to play decisions |
| IMU Acceleration for Biofeedback | Raw acceleration based feedback combined with joint angles | Trainers, rehab professionals, performance coaches | Enables acceleration focused training workflows |
Next Steps for UK Users
- Check your MR4 version and confirm upgrade eligibility via Noraxon website or the link posted above.
- Identify which new features apply to your workflow and plan how to integrate them.
- Update your internal materials, client communications or proposals to reflect your enhanced analytical capability.
Summary
The MR4 Fall 2025 update is a major step forward for the Noraxon ecosystem. Calibration flexibility, expanded force plate analytics, pre contact phase measurement and improved IMU based biofeedback all broaden the real world applicability of Noraxon systems. As the UK distributor, HaB direct is ready to help you upgrade, integrate and optimise these new capabilities.
