Relationships between acceleration and walking weight load determined by triaxial accelerometry and a foot pressure measurement system

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to define the relationships between accelerations of the X-axis (mediolateral), Y-axis (vertical) and Z-axis (anteroposterior) measured by a triaxial accelerometry system and the weight load calculated by a foot pressure measurement system. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 17 healthy college students (9 males, 7 females; mean age, 21.0 ± 0.1 years old). Subjects performed the 10-m walking test with triaxial accelerometry and a foot pressure measurement system. We analyzed the correlations between the accelerations and the weight loads on the dominant and non-dominant legs. Accelerations of the X, Y and Z axes were measured when the weight load was at its maximum. [Results] There were significant correlations between the accelerations of the Y and Z axes and the weight loads on both legs, but there was no significant correlation between the acceleration of the X-axis and the weight load. [Conclusion] This study found correlations between the accelerations of the Y and Z axes and weight load. The results of this study will be clinically useful for converting acceleration values into weight loads.