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Assessing real-world movements using consumer-grade wearable devices: Measuring segment orientations and movement
T Alexander Swain1,2, Melitta A McNarry1, Samuel Manzano-Carrasco3
1Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine Research Centre (A-STEM), Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
Wearable Technologies
|November 26, 2025
Summary
Consumer wearables show promise for assessing human movement quality outside labs. Chest-mounted sensors offer the best accuracy for evaluating movement, though optimal placement and calibration are key.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Wearable technology
- Human movement analysis
Background:
- Assessing human movement quality is crucial for health but challenging outside clinical settings.
- Consumer-grade wearables offer a potential solution for accessible movement analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of consumer-grade wearables for movement quality assessment.
- To identify optimal sensor locations for wearable-based movement analysis.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-two participants wore magnetic, angular rate, and gravity (MARG) sensors on multiple body locations.
- The Madgwick sensor-fusion algorithm processed sensor data for 3D orientation.
- Concurrent validity was assessed against optical motion capture using root-mean-square-error (RMSE).
Main Results:
- Chest-mounted sensors achieved the highest accuracy (mean RMSE < 9.0°).
- Wrist, ankle, and thigh sensors showed variable and mixed results.
- Yaw angles had higher discrepancies than pitch and roll angles.
Conclusions:
- Consumer MARG sensors have potential for real-world biomechanical analysis.
- Strategic sensor placement and refined processing methods are essential for accuracy.
