Development and Preliminary Study of a Garment-Integrated Device Utilizing Knit Sensors for Gait Posture Evaluation

In daily walking, certain gait characteristics are considered aesthetically preferable, including a larger anterior pelvic tilt, greater trunk extension angle, and smaller knee flexion angle during the stance phase. However, individuals may overcompensate when attempting to adopt a good posture, leading to excessive lumbar lordosis and poor postures. It is difficult to objectively assess one's own gait posture in order to learn and maintain a new gait posture. This study aims to develop a garment-integrated device utilizing knit sensors to evaluate and improve gait posture. Unlike traditional gait analysis methods using inertial sensors or image analysis, this device aims to evaluate postural changes in the trunk and pelvis with smart textiles, providing a means to learn and maintain healthy and aesthetically pleasing gait movements. This worn device can enable continuous wear and long-term data collection in daily life under natural conditions. This study experimentally demonstrates that the prototype can measure differences in gait posture through resistance measurements when walking in different styles, suggesting the potential applicability of knit sensors for gait evaluation.