Real-Time Motion Analysis of Middle-Aged and Aged people Using IMU Sensor

Walking is a vital feature of locomotion. Foot problems develop with age. Young people walk faster, take longer steps, and take more steps per minute than the elderly. Several foot complications arise in the middle-aged and elderly, such as fall-related injuries, knee pain, foot sores, osteoarthritis, irregular gait, etc. The complications could be identified using motion analysis. Kinematic parameters like accelerations, step length, flexion and extension angles are used in gait analysis. These parameters are measured using the IMU sensor. Depending on this parameter, the designer/user can identify any abnormalities in gait. Therefore, a prototype has been developed using an IMU sensor and a microcontroller (Arduino Uno and Raspberry Pi 3). The gait of various participants was recorded using the developed prototype and camera setup. The data collected has been processed and plotted into graphs. The recorded videos were analysed using Kinovea software. The various kinematic parameters, such as step length, acceleration, and knee angles, were found. Aged people have decreased knee flexion compared to middle-aged people. Even the acceleration was low for the elderly. While comparing the acceleration attained by the prototype and the Kinovea software, there was a minor difference. There was a delay observed in the acquisition of the data. Therefore, this prototype’s flaws will be resolved in future research.