Analyze Biomechanical Conditions of Gait Using Different Types of Footwear Using Inertial Sensors by Characteristic Curves

The recognition of gait as an integral part of daily life has prompted researchers to enhance and devise various analysis methods employing multiple engineering disciplines. This has facilitated the development of non-pharmacological treatments, including the utilization of inertial sensors, force plates, and optical cameras. In this study, numerical analysis was conducted on the angular displacement data obtained from inertial sensors, focusing on the motional axes of the hip, thighs, and ankles. The analysis revealed characteristic curves that depicted the biomechanical conditions present during locomotion when wearing casual, sport, and barefoot shoes. The reliability of the findings was confirmed through polynomial regression analysis using the least squares method and the calculation of the root mean square error (RMSE), which yielded values lower than 1.74. Moreover, the most significant deviation was observed in hip flexion when wearing casual footwear, with a difference of 6.159° compared to sport and barefoot shoes. The use of footwear is relevant for the proper gait cycle. This study can be extended to different variations of footwear, which will be carried out in future studies.