Subject-specific body segment parameters' estimation using biplanar X-rays: a feasibility study

In order to improve the reliability of children's models, the aim of this study was to determine the subject-specific masses and 3D locations of the centres of mass (CoM) of body segments using biplanar X-rays. Previous methods, validated on upper leg segments, were applied to the whole body. Six children and six adults were studied. The low-dose X-ray system EOS(®) was used to simultaneously get head-to-foot biplanar X-rays in the upright position. Specific methods were used to get 3D reconstructions of bones and body shape. The densities from the literature were used to define the masses. To assess the accuracy of the reconstructions, a force plate was used to compare the mass and the projection of the CoM. A mean distance of 4.5 mm between the measured and the calculated projections of the CoM was found. The mean error between the estimated and the actual body mass was 2.6%. Such a method will be useful in obtaining the body segment parameters in children, hard to obtain using direct measurement techniques.