Detection of spatio-temporal gait parameters by using wearable motion sensors

This paper presents a method to detect the spatio-temporal parameters of gait by using wearable motion sensors with a gyro, accelerometer, and magnetic sensor. The detected gait parameters are as follows: stance (ST), double support (DS), and gait cycle (GC) time as temporal parameters, and the stride length (SL) as spatial parameter. Four motion sensors are attached on both thighs and shanks of users, and the sensor data are collected in a portable PC. The temporal parameters are estimated by finding walking events, and then the stride length is calculated with two gait models. The estimated parameters are compared to those obtained from a motion capture system (VICON system).