Validation of machine vision and action sport cameras for 3D motion analysis model reconstruction

John David Johnson 2nd; Michael Hales; Randy Emert

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-46937-9

Validation of machine vision and action sport cameras for 3D motion analysis model reconstruction

Sci Rep. 2023 Nov 29;13(1):21015. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-46937-9.

Authors

John David Johnson 2nd¹, Michael Hales², Randy Emert³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Exercise Science & Sport Management, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
² Department of Health Promotion & Physical Education, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA. mhales@kennesaw.edu.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.

Abstract

The study investigated the feasibility of using action sport cameras for motion analysis research. Data acquired from two different marker-based motion capture systems and six different camera combinations were analyzed for motion reconstruction accuracy. Two different calibration procedures were used to determine the influence on marker position reconstruction. Static and dynamic calibration mean merit score differences between the reference and experimental camera systems were 0.4 mm and 1.3 mm, respectively. Angular displacement difference between the reference and experimental camera systems range between 0.1 and 2.0 degrees. A systematic bias (- 0.54 to 0.19 degrees) was determined between the reference and the experimental camera systems for range of motion. The mean of the multi-trial findings suggests the machine vision camera system calibrated with a dynamic procedure generated highly accurate three-dimensional reconstructed ROM data (0.5 degree) followed closely by the four action sport cameras implementing a static calibration procedure (0.5 degree). The overall findings suggest the selected machine vision and action sport camera systems produced comparable results to the reference motion analysis system. However, the combination of camera type, processing software, and calibration procedure can influence motion reconstruction accuracy.