title: Estimation of gait cycle characteristics by trunk accelerometry.
abstract: This study reports on the novel use of a portable system to measure gait cycle parameters. Measurements were made by a triaxial accelerometer over the lower trunk during timed walking over a range of self-administered speeds. Signals from each trial were transformed to a horizontal-vertical coordinate system and analyzed by an unbiased autocorrelation procedure to obtain cadence, step length, and measures of gait regularity and symmetry. By curvilinear interpolation, speed-dependent gait parameters could be compared at a normalized speed. It was demonstrated that analysis of gait cycle parameters which previously required fixed laboratory equipment and paced walking procedures, now can be made from data obtained by a timing device and a portable sensor at free walking speeds.
authors.affiliation: The Balance and Gait Unit, Section of Physiotherapy Science, Institute of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Ulriksdal 8c, N-5009 Bergen, Norway. rolf.moe-nilssen@isf.uib.no
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moe-Nilssen
authors.forename: Jorunn L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Helbostad
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000502:physiology; D000054:Acceleration; D000465:Algorithms; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology; D014159:Transducers