A low cost wireless sensor development for assessing ground reaction force in gait analysis

Ground reaction force is amongst the prominent parameters used for gait analysis. It gives an approximation of the projection of body's centre of mass on the ground. This paper reports a low cost, wireless, wearable sensor module, developed for estimating centre of foot pressure. Postural sway recording can be done using this sensor module. Wireless data transfer and compact module packaging makes it comfortable in wearing and does not interfere in natural movements. The novelty in this system is the real time ground reaction force from all the sensors and centre of foot pressure data, displayed on monitor for visual feedback. Experimental results show that the developed wireless sensor system can be effectively used in gait analysis.