Principal component analysis of accelerations in human dynamic movements: A sample set length effect study

Measuring, monitoring and analysis of dynamic movements in sports during a real-time competition is becoming more important than ever. Many methods used currently may only be applied in the artificial environment of a laboratory. Other methods require too much processing to be used efficiently in real-time. Interesting opportunity for these problems gives acceleration measurements and their usage during tournament or competition. The paper presents a case study of principal component analysis of tridimensional acceleration measurements in human dynamic movements. Three different types of dynamic movements have been measured: slow run, long distance run and jump. The presented results indicate the need to carefully adjust of the sample set length according to the dynamics of the movements, module sensor location and the type of performed movement.