Changes in Coordination and Its Variability with an Increase in Functional Performance of the Lower Extremities

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Gerontology

Background:

• Clinical gait analysis traditionally relies on lab-based motion capture.
• Wearable sensor applications for real-world kinematic and coordination analysis remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of using inertial measurement units (IMUs) for skeletal kinematics and segment coordination in real-life environments.
• To correlate IMU-derived gait parameters with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores in healthy and neurogeriatric individuals.

Main Methods:

• Skeletal kinematics were collected using a 7-IMU system in a magnetically disturbed environment.
• An accelerometer-based functional calibration method was employed.
• Participants performed the SPPB test, and data were analyzed across low, moderate, and high SPPB score subgroups.

Main Results:

• Most IMU-based kinematic and coordination parameters significantly correlated with SPPB scores.
• Significant differences in parameters were observed between SPPB subgroups.
• Lower limb range of motion and segment coordination positively correlated with SPPB scores, while coordination variability negatively correlated.

Conclusions:

• IMU-based gait analysis provides objective measures that reflect functional mobility assessed by the SPPB.
• Decreasing SPPB scores are associated with more pronounced segment coordination impairments and inconsistent walking patterns.
• Findings support the use of IMUs for future clinical gait analysis and research in real-world settings.