Validation of trunk mounted inertial sensors for analysing running biomechanics under field conditions, using synchronously collected foot contact data

Abstract

The biomechanical evaluation of elite athletes often requires the use of sophisticated laboratory-based equipment that is restrictive, cumbersome, and often unsuitable for use in a training and competition environment. Small, low-mass unobtrusive centre-of-mass triaxial accelerometers can be used to collect data but may not reveal all the information of interest. This validation of centre-of-mass triaxial accelerometry uses previously reported synchronously collected foot-contact information from in-shoe pressure sensors. A qualitative assessment of the system output indicates that the centre-of-mass acceleration provides valuable insight into the use of accelerometers for investigating the biomechanics of, in this case, middle distance runners.