Quantifying performance and effects of load carriage during a challenging balancing task using an array of wireless inertial sensors

We utilize an array of wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs) to measure the movements of subjects (n = 30) traversing an outdoor balance beam (zigzag and sloping) as quickly as possible both with and without load (20.5 kg). Our objectives are: (1) to use IMU array data to calculate metrics that quantify performance (speed and stability) and (2) to investigate the effects of load on performance. We hypothesize that added load significantly decreases subject speed yet results in increased stability of subject movements. We propose and evaluate five performance metrics: (1) time to cross beam (less time = more speed), (2) percentage of total time spent in double support (more double support time = more stable), (3) stride duration (longer stride duration = more stable), (4) ratio of sacrum M-L to A-P acceleration (lower ratio = less lateral balance corrections = more stable), and (5) M-L torso range of motion (smaller range of motion = less balance corrections = more stable). We find that the total time to cross the beam increases with load (t = 4.85, p < 0.001). Stability metrics also change significantly with load, all indicating increased stability. In particular, double support time increases (t = 6.04, p < 0.001), stride duration increases (t = 3.436, p = 0.002), the ratio of sacrum acceleration RMS decreases (t = -5.56, p < 0.001), and the M-L torso lean range of motion decreases (t = -2.82, p = 0.009). Overall, the IMU array successfully measures subject movement and gait parameters that reveal the trade-off between speed and stability in this highly dynamic balance task. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.