Inertial Sensors for Performance Analysis in Combat Sports: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The integration of technology into training and competition sport settings is becoming more commonplace. Inertial sensors are one technology being used for performance monitoring. Within combat sports, there is an emerging trend to use this type of technology; however, the use and selection of this technology for combat sports has not been reviewed. To address this gap, a systematic literature review for combat sport athlete performance analysis was conducted. A total of 36 records were included for review, demonstrating that inertial measurements were predominately used for measuring strike quality. The methodology for both selecting and implementing technology appeared ad-hoc, with no guidelines for appropriately analysing the results. This review summarises a framework of best practice for selecting and implementing inertial sensor technology for evaluating combat sport performance. It is envisaged that this review will act as a guide for future research into applying technology to combat sport.

A Systematic Review of Performance Analysis in Rowing Using Inertial Sensors

“…Of these seventeen, four (4/17-23.5%) only used an accelerometer and gyroscope and the remaining 13 (13/17-76.5%) also incorporated a magnetometer. The highest reported accelerometer range was ±16 g and the lowest was ±2 g. Compared to our laboratories, previous systematic literature review on the use of inertial sensors in combat sport [3], which reported a maximum and minimum operating range of ±750 g and ±8 g, respectively, these ranges are low. Nonetheless, rowing is a sport that does not typically consist of high impact situations and thus ±16 g and even ±2 g should have a minute risk of sensor saturation.…”

“…In sport and biomechanics research, the golden standard is commonly a multi-camera retro-reflective motion capture system that can track human positions in three-dimensional space. From this data, the acceleration and rotation of the body part can be calculated and compared to inertial sensor data [3]. The competitive setting for rowing is on-water and thus retro-reflective motion capture is not a viable option.…”

“…MEMS are chip-level devices based on movement of silicon-based arms acting as a mass and spring. The acceleration and rotation can be logged and transmitted [3][4][5]. MEMS accelerometer technologies include those based on capacitive, piezoelectric, and piezoresistive effects [3].…”

“…The acceleration and rotation can be logged and transmitted [3][4][5]. MEMS accelerometer technologies include those based on capacitive, piezoelectric, and piezoresistive effects [3]. When inertial sensors are used in rowing, the device must be waterproof.…”

“…The previous literature reviews on rowing do not address the technology and methodologies used in rowing research. Without a framework, ad hoc methodologies concerning the selection and implementation of wearable technologies could reduce the accuracy and validity of rowing sport performance measures [3,10].…”