Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) enable accurate estimation of anatomical joint angles but require a sensor-to-segment calibration. Literature has presented several algorithms that address this gap; however, adequately comparing calibration performance is not trivial. This study compares 3 calibration methods: N-pose calibration (NP), functional calibration (FC), and manual alignment (MA) to estimate 3D wrist joint angles during single-plane and multiplane tasks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInertial measurement units (IMUs) have gained popularity as portable and cost-effective alternatives to optoelectronic motion capture systems for assessing joint kinematics. This study aimed to validate a commercially available multi-sensor IMU-based system against a laboratory-grade motion capture system across lower limb, trunk, and upper limb movements. Fifteen healthy participants performed a battery of single- and multi-joint tasks while motion data were simultaneously recorded by both systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVertical jump height from a countermovement jump is a widespread metric to assess the lower limb functionality. Motion capture systems and force platforms are considered gold standards to estimate vertical jump height; however, their use in ecological settings is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of low-sampling-rate inertial measurement units as an alternative to the gold standard systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCalibrating inertial measurement units (IMUs) involves converting orientation data from a local reference frame into a clinically meaningful reference system. Several solutions exist but little work has been done to compare different calibration methods with each other and an optical motion capture system. Thirteen healthy subjects with no signs of upper limb injury were recruited for this study and instrumented with IMU sensors and optical markers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Bioeng Biotechnol
May 2024
Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) require a sensor-to-segment calibration procedure in order to compute anatomically accurate joint angles and, thereby, be employed in healthcare and rehabilitation. Research literature proposes several algorithms to address this issue. However, determining an optimal calibration procedure is challenging due to the large number of variables that affect elbow joint angle accuracy, including 3D joint axis, movement performed, complex anatomy, and notable skin artefacts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElectromagnetic (EM) tracking has been used to quantify biomechanical parameters of the lower limb and lumbar spine during ergometer rowing to improve performance and reduce injury. Optical motion capture (OMC) is potentially better suited to measure comprehensive whole-body dynamics in rowing. This study compared accuracy and precision of EM and OMC displacements by simultaneously recording kinematics during rowing trials at low, middle, and high rates on an instrumented ergometer (n=12).
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