Title: Improving lower extremity joint kinematics during jump landing using an automated vibrotactile biofeedback system

Authors: Aruni Upeksha Alahakone; S.M.N. Arosha Senanayake

Addresses: School of Engineering, Monash University Sunway Campus, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia ' Faculty of Science, University of Brunei, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong, BE1410, Brunei

Abstract: Real time motion monitoring and biofeedback is essential for efficient training, technique improvements and reducing the risk of injuries in sports training applications. This paper proposes a novel approach for measuring and improving jump landing technique based on lower extremity joint kinematics. The system consists of wireless wearable inertial sensors, a customised software for data processing and a wireless biofeedback unit including vibrotactile actuators for vibration feedback. Biofeedback is provided for knee angular measurements obtained with respect to predefined target thresholds. A drop vertical jump (DVJ) was utilised to verify the effects of real time vibrotactile feedback to improving knee flexion and abduction/adduction during the landing phase of the jump. The results confirmed the accuracy of the system for real time applications and the impact of vibrotactile biofeedback for augmenting the lower extremity joint kinematic motion during jump landing.

Keywords: inertial sensors; virtual instrumentation; data acquisition; lower extremity kinematics; jump landing; landing phase detection; vibrotactile biofeedback; motor augmentation; automated feedback; motion monitoring; sports training; wireless sensors; wearable sensors; vibration feedback; knee angular measurements; drop vertical jump; knee flexion; abduction; adduction; athletes; athlete training; knee kinematics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAC.2014.059110

International Journal of Autonomic Computing, 2014 Vol.2 No.1, pp.39 - 53

Published online: 13 May 2014 *