Towards motion characterization and assessment within a wireless body area network

Abstract

The combination of small wireless sensor nodes and inertial sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes provides a cheap to produce ubiquitous technology module for human motion analysis. We introduce a system architecture for in-network motion characterization and assessment with a wireless body area network based on motion fragments. We present a segmentation algorithm based on biomechanics to identify motion fragments with a strong relation to an intuitive description of a motion. The system architecture comprises a training phase to provide reference data for segmentation, characterization and assessment of a specific motion and a feedback phase wherein the system provides the assessment related to the conduction of the motion. For fine-grained applicability, the proposed system offers the possibility of providing a motion assessment on three different evaluation layers during the motion assessment process. We evaluate the system in a first practical approach based on a dumbbell exercise.