Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 2, 2025
08:45
Assessment of Physical Activity Intensity with Accelerometers and Oxygen Consumption
Published on: June 20, 2025
269
Validity of load rate estimation using accelerometers during physical activity on an anti-gravity treadmill
Susan Nazirizadeh1,2,3, Maria Stokes2,3, Nigel K Arden3,4
1Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Summary
Wearable accelerometers can accurately estimate lower limb joint loading rates, offering a practical tool for individuals with degenerative joint disease outside of laboratory settings.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Wearable Technology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Degenerative joint disease management requires accessible methods for estimating lower limb joint loading.
- Current laboratory-based methods for assessing joint loading are not practical for everyday use.
- Wearable sensors present a potential solution for in-situ joint load estimation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the use of accelerometers in smartwatches and smartphones for estimating lower limb joint load rates.
- To compare wearable-derived load rate data with gold-standard force plate measurements.
- To assess the feasibility of using wearables for joint loading assessment in real-world environments.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy participants performed locomotive activities on an anti-gravity treadmill with an integrated force plate.
- Acceleration data were collected from wearables (smartwatch, smartphone) and compared to force plate data.
- Linear regression and cross-validation with 1000 bootstrap resamples were employed for validation.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between the load rates estimated by wearables (smartphone and smartwatch) and the force plate.
- The study achieved a robust dataset with 7680 data points for reliable uncertainty analysis.
Conclusions:
- Accelerometers in consumer wearables demonstrate a valid capability for estimating lower limb joint load rates.
- The strong correlation with force plate data supports wearables as a viable surrogate for assessing joint loading in field settings.
- This technology holds promise for remote monitoring and management of joint health in individuals with degenerative joint disease.
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