An accurate estimation of the horizontal acceleration of a rower's centre of mass using inertial sensors: a validation

Abstract

For a valid determination of a rower's mechanical power output, the anterior-posterior (AP) acceleration of a rower's centre of mass (CoM) is required. The current study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of the determination of this acceleration using a full-body inertial measurement units (IMUs) suit in combination with a mass distribution model. Three methods were evaluated. In the first two methods, IMU data were combined with either a subject-specific mass distribution or a standard mass distribution model for athletes. In the third method, a rower's AP CoM acceleration was estimated using a single IMU placed at the pelvis. Experienced rowers rowed on an ergometer that was placed on two force plates, while wearing a full-body IMUs suit. Correspondence values between AP CoM acceleration based on IMU data (the three methods) and AP CoM acceleration obtained from force plate data (reference) were calculated. Good correspondence was found between the reference AP CoM acceleration and the AP CoM accelerations determined using IMU data in combination with the subject-specific mass model and the standard mass model (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC] > 0.988 and normalized root mean square errors [nRMSE] 3.81%). Correspondence was lower for the AP CoM accelerations determined using a single pelvis IMU (0.877 < ICC < 0.960 and 6.11% < nRMSE < 13.61%). Based on these results, we recommend determining a rower's AP CoM acceleration using IMUs in combination with the standard mass model. Finally, we conclude that accurate determination of a rower's AP CoM acceleration is not possible on the basis of the pelvis acceleration only.

Estimation of 3D Body Center of Mass Acceleration and Instantaneous Velocity from a Wearable Inertial Sensor Network in Transfemoral Amputee Gait: A Case Study

“…These signals can then be fused to provide an estimate of the orientation of the MIMU local frame relative to a global (Earth-fixed) reference frame [ 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, provided a MIMU is rigidly attached to a body segment, it might provide an estimation of its motion and thus be used for segmental analysis [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…First, for each MIMU-bearing segment, the acceleration is measured at the origin of the MIMU local frame and must be transferred to the segment center of mass (SCoM), which is not immediate since MIMUs do not provide an estimation of their absolute position. To overcome this limitation, some authors have proposed positioning MIMUs or accelerometers close to the underlying SCoM [ 22 , 24 ], which may compromise the accuracy of the retrieved accelerations. Other authors have coupled a full-body inertial model to a full-body kinematic chain [ 21 , 23 ].…”

Improved determination of mechanical power output in rowing: Experimental results

“…a x rcom=w was calculated from the acceleration of the 13 body segments in boat movement and the related masses of the segments relative to the rower's total mass according to the Zatsiorsky-Seluyanov's relative body segment model (De Leva, 1996;Zatsiorsky, 2002). This IMU based estimation of a x rcom=w was previously shown to yield valid results regarding the rower's CoM acceleration in the travel direction of the boat (Lintmeijer, Faber, Kruk, Van Soest & Hofmijster, 2018).…”

A Systematic Review of Performance Analysis in Rowing Using Inertial Sensors

“…Kayaking/Canoeing Citation Sport Validation Technology [12] Rowing Optical motion capture [14] Rowing Coach qualitative assessment [17] Rowing Manual feature labelling [18] Rowing Controlled laboratory validation test [20] Rowing Force plates [25] Rowing GPS [27] Rowing GPS [30] Rowing GPS [32] Rowing Navilock-550 ERS [33] Rowing Optical motion capture [38] Rowing GPS [39] Rowing GPS [40] Rowing Optical motion capture [41] Rowing Optical motion capture [42] Canoeing Video Camera [43] Rowing GPS and stroke coach monitor [44] Rowing GPS [46] Rowing Reference measures from rowing simulator [47] Rowing Peach innovations measurement oarlock…”

“…Seven of the reviewed papers (7/36-19.4%) investigated rowing athletes' physiological and physicality parameters using inertial sensors. Four of these records (5/7-71.4%) analysed crew synchronicity [12,14,20,23,32]. An elite rower has high special fitness; high coordination, motor control and functional strength [52].…”