Body Sensor Networking, Design and Algorithms

7Single and Multiple Sensor Networking for Gait Analysis

7.1 Introduction

Systematic evaluation of bipedal locomotion or gait analysis continues to be a major clinical tool in exercise physiology, biomechanical, pathological, and rehabilitative assessments. Although in some studies ‘gait’ refers to a general state of moving body parts, the focus for most gait analysis techniques is mainly on human leg movement during walking. A considerable number of platforms have been developed and deployed for applications, including laboratory-based and mobile/portable gait analysis. Force-plates and video cameras are mainly used inside gait laboratories, while wearable sensors such as accelerometers or gyroscopes can be deployed in a free environment outside the laboratories. Therefore, wearable sensors are more useful but may not be as accurate as the indoor measurement system. However, there is always the possibility of validating the performance of wearable sensors for gait analysis using the standard gait platforms using force-plates or cameras inside controlled laboratories. In-shoe foot plantar measurement systems also can be used for validation of wearable systems outside the laboratories.

In this chapter first a brief introduction of gait events, features, and parameters is provided. Next, several important standard gait analysis systems are introduced. Then, exemplar single and multiple wearable sensing platforms are presented. Finally, some of the effective and popular algorithms ...