What’s New in the Noraxon MR4 Summer 2026 Release?

Noraxon has released its latest update to the MR4 myoRESEARCH software platform, introducing new tools for return-to-sport assessment, force measurement and synchronised data collection.

The MR4 Summer 2026 Release includes two major additions: the Powers Return-to-Sport Assessment and native support for the new Vector 1D Force Plate. It also introduces broader connectivity, faster calibration and several practical improvements designed to make data collection, analysis and reporting more efficient.

Here is an overview of what Noraxon users can expect from the latest release.

A New Structured Return-to-Sport Assessment

One of the most significant additions is the Powers Return-to-Sport Assessment, a dedicated workflow for evaluating movement quality during athletic tasks.

The assessment is based on research by Straub and Powers and uses synchronised frontal and sagittal video alongside automated 2D markerless analysis. It guides clinicians through a standardised series of dynamic movements, including:

• Step down
• Drop jump
• Lateral shuffle
• Deceleration
• Triple hop
• Side-step cut

Rather than basing an assessment on a single jump, hop or strength measure, the workflow allows movement quality to be examined across several activities.

MR4 automatically analyses the captured footage and applies rubric-based movement quality scoring. Activity, side and overall scores are calculated according to the tasks completed, with support for bilateral, unilateral and partial protocols.

A purpose-built report presents summary results, activity-level scores, category visualisations and annotated images from both camera views. This gives clinicians a clear and consistent way to review findings, communicate results and compare assessments over time.

The Powers Return-to-Sport Assessment is intended to support clinical decision-making. It does not replace professional judgement, patient-specific restrictions or established return-to-sport criteria.

Introducing the Vector 1D Force Plate

The Summer 2026 Release also introduces native MR4 integration for the new Noraxon Vector 1D Force Plate.

This portable platform measures vertical ground reaction forces at a sampling rate of 1,000 Hz. Device setup, synchronised recording, automated analysis and reporting can all be managed within MR4, alongside other compatible Noraxon measurement technologies.

Automated analysis is available for a wide range of protocols, including:

• Countermovement jumps
• Squat jumps
• Drop jumps
• Broad jumps
• Landing assessments
• Hopping and unilateral jumps
• Balance and sway assessments
• Isometric assessments
• Swing assessments

Users can access more than 65 performance metrics covering force, impulse, power, jump height, take-off velocity, timing, stabilisation and symmetry.

Real-time force-vector overlays and centre-of-pressure animations can provide further insight into how force is produced and controlled. This makes the system suitable for sports performance testing, rehabilitation, teaching and research applications.

Support for Novotek 1D force plate systems has also been added.

Lab Streaming Layer Synchronisation

MR4 now supports Lab Streaming Layer, commonly known as LSL.

LSL is used in many research environments to exchange and synchronise data between different devices and software applications. Its inclusion expands MR4’s compatibility with multimodal research setups that use a shared time-based synchronisation framework.

This provides researchers with greater flexibility when combining Noraxon measurements with other compatible data streams.

Export Motion Capture Data in FBX Format

Motion capture recordings can now be exported as skeletal animation data in FBX format.

The export preserves the skeletal hierarchy, animated joint transformations, timing, frame count and frame rate. Data can then be used in compatible 3D applications, including:

• Unity
• Maya
• MotionBuilder
• Blender

This creates new opportunities for researchers, educators and developers who want to use human movement data in animation, visualisation, simulation or virtual environments.

Faster myoMOTION Calibration

Static pose calibration for Noraxon myoMOTION has been reduced to just one second.

The shorter calibration period can help reduce setup time and may make the process easier for participants or patients who find it difficult to remain completely still for extended periods.

Users can enable this option through the myoMOTION section of the MR4 software settings.

More Flexible Multi-Activity Recording

MR4’s multi-activity recording workflow has been updated with new Skip and Redo controls.

These controls make it easier to manage structured testing sessions when a participant cannot complete an activity or when a trial needs to be repeated. Video capture is also limited to active recording periods, helping to reduce unnecessary file sizes.

These improvements should prove particularly useful during multi-stage clinical assessments, standardised research protocols and repeated sports performance tests.

Improved Calibration Records and Traceability

Functional calibration workflows now save the static reference pose as a short recorded activity.

This provides a clearer history of how a measurement was calibrated, supporting subsequent review and troubleshooting. Basic recording information will also identify which version of MR4 was used to create the recording.

Together, these changes can help laboratories maintain more complete and traceable records of their data-collection procedures.

Further Workflow Improvements

Several additional changes have been introduced to make everyday use of MR4 more straightforward:

• Predefined protocols supplied with the installed MR4 version can be restored without completing a clean reinstall.
• Custom protocols remain protected unless the user confirms that they should be overwritten.
• Clearer Ultium Motion sensor labels and improved gyroscope and sensor-health feedback help simplify troubleshooting.
• The updated NiNOX 240c driver provides greater control over image levels.
• Activation errors now include a direct link to the Software Maintenance checker.
• Hip extension and ankle plantarflexion can be displayed as positive values through new inverted joint-angle options.

Although smaller individually, these changes can help users reduce setup time, manage protocols and identify potential issues more easily.

How to Install the MR4 Summer 2026 Release

MR 4.2026 can be installed as a patch over an existing MR4 installation. According to Noraxon, existing configurations and data will remain intact during the update. You can download the new version here.

Users will need to reactivate their software licence after installation. Reactivation should proceed normally when the system has current Software Maintenance coverage. If maintenance is no longer current, activation of the new feature set will be blocked.

Users should therefore check their Software Maintenance status before installing the release.

Noraxon has also published step-by-step patch installation instructions.

Find Out More About Noraxon MR4

The MR4 Summer 2026 Release adds valuable new capabilities for clinicians, sports scientists, researchers and educators. From structured markerless return-to-sport analysis to portable force measurement and improved interoperability, the update provides more ways to collect, interpret and present human movement data within a single platform.

HaB Direct is Noraxon’s exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland. If you would like to learn more about MR4, check your eligibility for the update or discuss how Noraxon technology could support your laboratory, clinic or performance facility, please contact the HaB Direct team.

For full details, visit the official Noraxon MR4 Summer 2026 Release page.

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