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Equine veterinary journal2016; 49(4); 545-551; doi: 10.1111/evj.12651

Validation of distal limb mounted inertial measurement unit sensors for stride detection in Warmblood horses at walk and trot.

Abstract: Inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor-based techniques are becoming more popular in horses as a tool for objective locomotor assessment. Objective: To describe, evaluate and validate a method of stride detection and quantification at walk and trot using distal limb mounted IMU sensors. Methods: Prospective validation study comparing IMU sensors and motion capture with force plate data. Methods: A total of seven Warmblood horses equipped with metacarpal/metatarsal IMU sensors and reflective markers for motion capture were hand walked and trotted over a force plate. Using four custom built algorithms hoof-on/hoof-off timing over the force plate were calculated for each trial from the IMU data. Accuracy of the computed parameters was calculated as the mean difference in milliseconds between the IMU or motion capture generated data and the data from the force plate, precision as the s.d. of these differences and percentage of error with accuracy of the calculated parameter as a percentage of the force plate stance duration. Results: Accuracy, precision and percentage of error of the best performing IMU algorithm for stance duration at walk were 28.5, 31.6 ms and 3.7% for the forelimbs and -5.5, 20.1 ms and -0.8% for the hindlimbs, respectively. At trot the best performing algorithm achieved accuracy, precision and percentage of error of -27.6/8.8 ms/-8.4% for the forelimbs and 6.3/33.5 ms/9.1% for the hindlimbs. Conclusions: The described algorithms have not been assessed on different surfaces. Conclusions: Inertial measurement unit technology can be used to determine temporal kinematic stride variables at walk and trot justifying its use in gait and performance analysis. However, precision of the method may not be sufficient to detect all possible lameness-related changes. These data seem promising enough to warrant further research to evaluate whether this approach will be useful for appraising the majority of clinically relevant gait changes encountered in practice.
© 2016 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2016-12-13 PubMed ID: 27862238PubMed Central: PMC5484301DOI: 10.1111/evj.12651Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study aims to evaluate and validate the effectiveness of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors, placed on the distal limbs of Warmblood horses, in detecting and examining the animals’ stride at both walk and trot speeds.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved a prospective validation study contrasting data derived from IMU sensors and motion capture with data from a force plate.
  • Seven Warmblood horses had IMU sensors installed on their metacarpal/metatarsal sections, and reflective markers were placed for motion capture. These horses were then walked and trotted over a force plate.
  • For each trial, hoof-on/hoof-off timing over the force plate was estimated from the IMU data, taking advantage of four custom algorithms.
  • The accuracy of these parameters was determined as the average discrepancy in milliseconds between the force plate and the IMU or motion capture data. Meanwhile, precision was gauged as the standard deviation of these variations. The percentage error was calculated based on the accuracy of the determined parameter as a part of the stance duration on the force plate.

Results

  • In terms of standing duration at walking speed, the IMU sensors showed an accuracy of 28.5 milliseconds, a precision of 31.6 milliseconds and an error percentage of 3.7% for forelimbs. The respective figures for hindlimbs were -5.5 milliseconds, 20.1 milliseconds, and -0.8%.
  • At trotting speed, the most efficient algorithm achieved an accuracy of -27.6 milliseconds, a precision of 8.8 milliseconds, and an error percentage of -8.4% for forelimbs; while respective values for hindlimbs were 6.3 milliseconds, 33.5 milliseconds and 9.1%.

Conclusions

  • This research did not test these algorithms on different terrains.
  • The findings showed that IMU technology could be used to elucidate temporal kinematic stride variables at walking and trotting speeds. This technological application could feasibly be integrated into performance and gait analysis studies.
  • However, the precision of the method might not be sufficient to pinpoint all possible changes related to lameness.
  • Considering the encouraging results, further research is merited to evaluate whether this approach can be a valuable tool in assessing clinically important gait changes usually encountered in practice.

Cite This Article

APA
Bragança FM, Bosch S, Voskamp JP, Marin-Perianu M, Van der Zwaag BJ, Vernooij JCM, van Weeren PR, Back W. (2016). Validation of distal limb mounted inertial measurement unit sensors for stride detection in Warmblood horses at walk and trot. Equine Vet J, 49(4), 545-551. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12651

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 4
Pages: 545-551

Researcher Affiliations

Bragança, F M
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Bosch, S
  • Inertia Technology B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Computer Science, Pervasive Systems Group, University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.
Voskamp, J P
  • Rosmark Consultancy, Wekerom, the Netherlands.
Marin-Perianu, M
  • Inertia Technology B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands.
Van der Zwaag, B J
  • Inertia Technology B.V., Enschede, the Netherlands.
Vernooij, J C M
  • Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
van Weeren, P R
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Back, W
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Surgery and Anaesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation
  • Biosensing Techniques / veterinary
  • Forelimb / physiology
  • Gait / physiology
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Horses / physiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Walking / physiology

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Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.
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