Validation of an inertial measurement unit based magnetic timing gate system during running and sprinting

Abstract

Problem: The technology of inertial measurement units (IMU) enables the collection of running biomechanical data under in-field conditions. This paper presents a validation study of an increasingly used IMU system using a corresponding below-ground magnetic timing gate system. › Methods: Thirty active healthy participants ran with an IMU located at the lumbar spine on a 60 m-section of a 400 m tartan track. The IMUs were connected with magnetic timing gates installed below the tartan track. A photoelectric cell reference system was used for comparative analysis. Outcome measures were running speed, step length and cadence during running at slow and fast velocity. Intra-Class-Correlation (ICC), Bland-Alt-man analysis and regression-based Bland-Altman analysis were used to determine measurement agreement. › Results: The analysis showed high measurement agreement for running speed, step length and cadence for both velocities (ICCs 0.745-0.996). Bland-Altman analysis showed high random errors and increased systematic and random errors for step length and cadence at fast running velocities. Regression-based Bland-Alt-man analysis indicated a systematic increase of bias (systematic error) with higher step length values. › Discussion: Despite a high measurement agreement expressed by ICCs, study results also showed high error values for absolute measurements expressed by systematic and random errors for all parameters. Therefore, attention should be given to the comparability of both measurement systems. Further research should focus on details of step length calculations as well as reliability and validity under longer running conditions.