GAIT ANALYSIS USING IMU SENSOR

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) based systems that employ gyroscopes has a growing interest in gait analysis. We described the IMU-based gait analysis method that uses angles obtained from an accelerometer and gyroscope sensor within MPU6050 to identify phases of each gait cycle during walking. The gait analysis algorithm is composed of Heel strike and Toe off factors detection observed by means of detection of initial contact(IC) and terminal contact(TC) so that gait parameters are calculated from those gait details. Most of the present gait phase detection strategies use multiple sensor modules connected to every segment of lower body. We have used two MPU6050 sensors placed on a shank of both legs to collect gait signals. For experimental purpose, each participant was asked to walk for a distance of 40 meters for the straight corridor at a normal speed. These gait signal data measured by using Arduino uno micro-controller is then transmitted to an android app 'Blueterm' wirelessly via the HC-05 Bluetooth module. Collected data by the app is stored as a text file in a device containing app. This database is further processed to an algorithm that has been developed using MATLAB to extract a period of events that happened during walking such as stride time, stance time, step time, cadence, etc. The results are useful in identifying the biomechanical stability of patients post surgery. Basically, this paper presents a wearable IMU sensor-based system and its associated gait analysis algorithm to obtain quantitative measurements of the individual's gait parameters to monitor patient progress in orthopedics and rehabilitation.