VALIDATION OF AN IMU-SYSTEM (GAIT-UP) TO IDENTIFY GAIT PARAMETERS IN NORMAL AND INDUCED LIMPING WALKING CONDITIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate an IMU system (GaitUp) with respect to validity in normal and induced impaired walking by comparing with a state-of-the-art 3D motion capture system. The gait of nine participants was analysed collecting data simultaneously with the GaitUp (Physiolog) placed at each foot and an eight camera motion capture system (Vicon) at 200 Hz each. Participants walked in normal and induced limping (elevation of one shoe) conditions at three walking speeds. For all conditions the two systems yielded similar results regarding the standard gait parameters (gait cycle time, stride length, stride frequency and gait velocity) according to absolute differences and correlation coefficients. GaitUp gathers fairly valid and reliable data in normal and limping walking in a range of walking speed between 0.9 and 2.0 m/s.