Gait analysis based on an inertial measurement unit sensor: Validation of spatiotemporal parameters calculation in healthy young and older adults

This study aimed to validate the application of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor for calculating the spatiotemporal parameters of gait in healthy young and older adults. Six healthy young adults and four older adults participated in this study; each wore an IMU sensor on the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) while the sensor was synchronized with a three-dimensional motion capture system. Nineteen gait parameters, including duration, variability, and asymmetry, were calculated from initial contact and final contact event times. Results showed that the gait parameters calculated from the wearable device system were reliable and had a small absolute mean difference from the parameters calculated using a motion capture system, and the highest absolute mean difference was only 0.01 s in the stance and swing phases among the young subjects.