Comparison of an inertial sensor based motion measurement system with a 3D-reflex marker based motion capture system

Abstract

footwear telemetry antenna system, respectively. For running gait, three different running speeds on a treadmill were tested in a systematic order; 3.5m/s, 4.5m/s and 5.4m/s. Descriptive statistics for spatiotemporal parameters were calculated using 10 walking gait cycles and 6 running gait cycles. Gait and running parameter changes were analysed using linear regression. Results: During walking gait, there were statistically significant increases in foot off occurrence (p=0.026) and opposite foot off occurrence (p=0.031), and a statistically significant decrease in opposite foot contact occurrence (p=0.011) when walking at a comfortable speed with the prototype system was compared to walking with no attached device. During running gait at 3.5m/s, there was a statistically significant increase in stride frequency (p=0.025) and a statistically significant decrease in relative stride length (p=0.036) found when running with the prototype system was compared to running with no attached device. However, the magnitude of these statistically significant differences was found to be very small, and not clinically meaningful. Discussion:Wearing the prototype footwear telemetry antenna systemdoes not significantly impact gait or running characteristics and therefore, results obtained using this device would be an accurate representation of natural gait and running in this population. However, further validation tests, comparing real time baropodometric data with that of a force plate platform or in-shoe plantar pressure measurement system during gait and running are necessary prior to clinical and research use. Funding acknowledgement: This research was funded by Science Foundation Ireland, Grant Number 09/IN.1/I2652 1512. Reference [1] Kong PW, De Heer H. Gait Posture 2009;29(1):143–5.