Journal article
Quantifying performance and effects of load carriage during a challenging balancing task using an array of wireless inertial sensors
Gait & posture, Vol.43, pp.65-69
01/2016
DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.10.022
PMID: 26669954
Abstract
•Performance during functional balance tests is quantified using wireless IMUs.•With load, beam traverse time increases and subjects adopt more cautious gait.•Double support time and stride duration increase with load.•Torso lateral flexion and lateral acceleration of the sacrum decrease with load.
We utilize an array of wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure the movements of subjects (n=30) traversing an outdoor balance beam (zigzag and sloping) as quickly as possible both with and without load (20.5kg). Our objectives are: (1) to use IMU array data to calculate metrics that quantify performance (speed and stability) and (2) to investigate the effects of load on performance. We hypothesize that added load significantly decreases subject speed yet results in increased stability of subject movements. We propose and evaluate five performance metrics: (1) time to cross beam (less time=more speed), (2) percentage of total time spent in double support (more double support time=more stable), (3) stride duration (longer stride duration=more stable), (4) ratio of sacrum M–L to A–P acceleration (lower ratio=less lateral balance corrections=more stable), and (5) M–L torso range of motion (smaller range of motion=less balance corrections=more stable). We find that the total time to cross the beam increases with load (t=4.85, p<0.001). Stability metrics also change significantly with load, all indicating increased stability. In particular, double support time increases (t=6.04, p<0.001), stride duration increases (t=3.436, p=0.002), the ratio of sacrum acceleration RMS decreases (t=−5.56, p<0.001), and the M–L torso lean range of motion decreases (t=−2.82, p=0.009). Overall, the IMU array successfully measures subject movement and gait parameters that reveal the trade-off between speed and stability in this highly dynamic balance task.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Quantifying performance and effects of load carriage during a challenging balancing task using an array of wireless inertial sensors
- Creators
- Stephen M Cain - University of MichiganRyan S McGinnis - University of MichiganSteven P Davidson - University of MichiganRachel V Vitali - University of MichiganNoel C Perkins - University of MichiganScott G McLean - University of Michigan
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Gait & posture, Vol.43, pp.65-69
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.10.022
- PMID
- 26669954
- ISSN
- 0966-6362
- eISSN
- 1879-2219
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2016
- Academic Unit
- Mechanical Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984195067302771
Metrics
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