Validation of wearable inertial sensor-based gait analysis system for measurement of spatiotemporal parameters and lower extremity joint kinematics in sagittal plane

Abstract

Wearable inertial sensor-based motion analysis systems are promising alternatives to standard camera-based motion capture systems for the measurement of gait parameters and joint kinematics. These wearable sensors, unlike camera-based gold standard systems, find usefulness in outdoor natural environment along with confined indoor laboratory-based environment due to miniature size and wireless data transmission. This study reports validation of our developed (i-Sens) wearable motion analysis system against standard motion capture system. Gait analysis was performed at self-selected speed on non-disabled volunteers in indoor ( n = 15) and outdoor ( n = 8) environments. Two i-Sens units were placed at the level of knee and hip along with passive markers (for indoor study only) for simultaneous 3D motion capture using a motion capture system. Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was computed for spatiotemporal parameters from the i-Sens system versus the motion capture system as a true reference. Mean and standard deviation of kinematic data for a gait cycle were plotted for both systems against normative data. Joint kinematics data were analyzed to compute the root mean squared error (RMSE) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Kinematic plots indicate a high degree of accuracy of the i-Sens system with the reference system. Excellent positive correlation was observed between the two systems in terms of hip and knee joint angles (Indoor: hip 3.98° ± 1.03°, knee 6.48° ± 1.91°, Outdoor: hip 3.94° ± 0.78°, knee 5.82° ± 0.99°) with low RMSE. Reliability characteristics (defined using standard statistical thresholds of MAPE) of stride length, cadence, walking speed in both outdoor and indoor environment were well within the “Good” category. The i-Sens system has emerged as a potentially cost-effective, valid, accurate, and reliable alternative to expensive, standard motion capture systems for gait analysis. Further clinical trials using the i-Sens system are warranted on participants across different age groups.

Validity and reliability of inertial measurement units measurements for running kinematics in different foot strike pattern runners

“…In contrast to previous studies on slower activities (e.g., walking), our study showed lower correlations and larger RMSEs between the lower limb joint angle waveforms measured by the IMUs system and the optical motion capture system during running ( Al-Amri et al, 2018 ; Patel et al, 2022 ). Similar results were obtained in some dynamic tasks (e.g., jumping and soccer athletic manoeuvres), which may indicate that more caution should be taken when applying the IMUs system to more dynamic sports ( Akins et al, 2015 ; Al-Amri et al, 2018 ).…”

Analysis of Human Gait Cycle With Body Equilibrium Based on Leg Orientation

“…As sensor technology has advanced, wearable and soft sensors can now be used to perform cost-effective and easy analyses [24]. Spatial-temporal and kinematic variables can be further calculated in gait analysis [29], [30]. The inertial sensors comprise a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer, which enable economical measurements of gravitational force and acceleration.…”

Sistema biométrico para el análisis de la marcha utilizando unidades de medida inerciales (IMU)

“…Los trastornos del movimiento se pueden originar por condiciones genéticas, derrames cerebrales, lesiones traumáticas, enfermedades del sistema nervioso, infecciones, por efectos secundarios de medicamentos y otros factores. Un historial de presión arterial alta, enfermedades como diabetes, la edad avanzada, y en algunos casos la adopción de malas posturas, incrementan el riesgo de trastornos del movimiento (Patel et al, 2022).…”