Comparison of step length estimators from weareable accelerometer devices

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006:2006:5964-7. doi: 10.1109/IEMBS.2006.259593.

Abstract

Wearable accelerometry provides easily portable systems that supply real-time data adequate for gait analysis. When they do not provide direct measurement of a spatio-temporal parameter of interest, such as step length, it has to be estimated with a mathematical model from indirect sensor measurements. In this work we are concerned with the accelerometry-based estimation of the step length in straight line human walking. We compare five step length estimators. Measurements were taken from a group of four adult men, adding up a total of 800 m per individual of walking data. Also modifications to these estimators are proposed, based on biomechanical considerations. Results show that this modifications lead to improvements of interest over previous methods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acceleration
  • Adult
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / instrumentation*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena / methods
  • Calibration
  • Gait*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Monitoring, Ambulatory / methods*
  • Postural Balance
  • Time Factors
  • Walking*