Impact Signal Differences Dependent on the Position of Accelerometer Attachment and the Correlation with the Ground Reaction Force during Running

Attachment of an accelerometer on the tibia is widely applied in the studies of impact during running as peak acceleration (PA) is highly relevant to peak ground reaction force (PGRF) and loading rate (LR). However, there are no guide lines for the positioning of the accelerometer on the tibia. The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to compare the differences in acceleration during running depending on the positions of the accelerometer's attachment to the tibia (i.e. the distal tibia vs. proximal tibia); second, to select the better accelerometer position between the two placements in order to measure impact from the ground based on the correlations with the major impact variables of ground reaction force collected by a force plate. The twenty participants ran on an instrumented treadmill. Two three-axis accelerometers were attached to the distal tibia and proximal tibia, respectively. PAs at the distal tibia were greater than those at the proximal tibia (p < 05). PAs at the distal tibia had a greater effect on predicting PGRF and LR compared to those at the proximal tibia (p < 05). Therefore, considering the purpose of this study, the position of the accelerometer should be carefully selected. These findings suggest that an accelerometer attached at the distal tibia would provide a better estimation of the measurement of impact during running.

Automated summary

This study compared the differences in acceleration during running depending on the positions of the accelerometer attachment to the tibia and found that acceleration at the distal tibia was greater and had a greater effect on predicting peak ground reaction force and loading rate. These findings suggest that carefully selecting the position of the accelerometer at the distal tibia would provide a better estimation of the measurement of impact during running.