Center of Mass Estimation Using a Force Platform and Inertial Sensors for Balance Evaluation in Quiet Standing

Abstract

Accurate estimation of the center of mass is necessary for evaluating balance control during quiet standing. However, no practical center of mass estimation method exists because of problems with estimation accuracy and theoretical validity in previous studies that used force platforms or inertial sensors. This study aimed to develop a method for estimating the center of mass displacement and velocity based on equations of motion describing the standing human body. This method uses a force platform under the feet and an inertial sensor on the head and is applicable when the support surface moves horizontally. We compared the center of mass estimation accuracy of the proposed method with those of other methods in previous studies using estimates from the optical motion capture system as the true value. The results indicate that the present method has high accuracy in quiet standing, ankle motion, hip motion, and support surface swaying in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. The present method could help researchers and clinicians to develop more accurate and effective balance evaluation methods.

Postural Sway Velocity of Deaf Children with and without Vestibular Dysfunction

“…Following each of the six assessment sessions, the platform’s software generated data on the COP sway velocity for each participant. It is important to note that an increased COP sway velocity indicates a greater delay in the compensatory postural adjustments which are necessary to stabilize the child’s posture [ 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ].…”

The Three-Dimensional Body Center of Mass at the Workplace under Hypogravity

“…The location of the CoM of a seated participant can be used for seat design, restraint systems [19], and other human-centered products and environments. Also, its understanding and consideration are important in body stability [20], posture and alignment [21], lifting and manual handling [18,22], and biomechanics [23]. An evaluation of the CoM requires a time-efficient measurement and high accuracy, especially in the case of body balance measurements [20].…”

“…Also, its understanding and consideration are important in body stability [20], posture and alignment [21], lifting and manual handling [18,22], and biomechanics [23]. An evaluation of the CoM requires a time-efficient measurement and high accuracy, especially in the case of body balance measurements [20].…”

“…In other cases, especially during movement, indirect methods may be useful. Indirect methods include an optical motion capture system with reflective markers [28], motion capture systems using wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) [20], and markerless motion capture [29,30]. Due to the technical limitations of the listed methods, the markerless motion capture method is one of the most convenient and non-invasive methods for analyzing dynamic motion, especially for the underwater simulation of movements in HG conditions [31].…”