Wearable Inertial Sensors for Gait Parameter Measurement and Analysis of Related Factors in Patients with Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Zhang Teng; Dong Chao; Jiang Shuangpeng; Ai Di

Abstract：Objective To identify changes in gait patterns in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability(CLAI)using inertial sensors and analyze the potential underlying causes.Methods This study recruited 19 patients with CLAI and 19 healthy controls from May to December 2022 at the Capital Medical University Affiliated Shijitan Hospital for gait analysis.In the CLAI group,there were 12 males and 7 females;the age range was 28～34 years,with a mean age of(30.95±5.67)years.In the healthy control group,there were 10 males and 9 females;the age range was 27～31 years,with a mean age of(29.37±3.12)years.All participants were equipped with the Physilog wearable inertial sensor system to collect gait data,including basic spatiotemporal parameters(step frequency,gait cycle time,stride length,walking speed)and kinematic parameters(maximum swing angular velocity,heel-strike angle,toe-off angle,swing speed).Results Data collected in a non-laboratory setting using wearable inertial sensors revealed significant differences in gait parameters between the CLAI patient group and healthy controls.Specifically,the CLAI group exhibited significantly lower step frequency,walking speed,maximum swing angular velocity,heel-strike angle,toe-off angle,and swing velocity compared to the healthy control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion This study successfully evaluated significant differences in gait patterns between CLAI patients and healthy individuals using wearable inertial sensors in a non-laboratory setting,providing objective,quantified characteristics of gait in CLAI patients.