Wearable inertial sensors and range of motion metrics in physical therapy remote support

The practice of physiotherapy diagnoses patient ailments which are often treated by the daily repetition of prescribed physiotherapeutic exercise. The effectiveness of the exercise regime is dependent on regular daily repetition of the regime and the correct execution of the prescribed exercises. Patients often have issues learning unfamiliar exercises and performing the exercise with good technique. This design science research study examines a back squat classifier design to appraise patient exercise regime away from the physiotherapy practice. The scope of the exercise appraisal is limited to one exercise, the back squat. Kinematic data captured with commercial inertial sensors is presented to a small group of physiotherapists to illustrate the potential of the technology to measure range of motion (ROM) for back squat appraisal. Opinions are considered from two fields of physiotherapy, general musculoskeletal and post-operative rehabilitation. While the exercise classifier is considered not suitable for post-operative rehabilitation, the opinions expressed for use in general musculoskeletal physiotherapy are positive. Kinematic data captured with gyroscope sensors in the sagittal plane is analysed with Matlab to develop a method for back squat exercise recognition and appraisal. The artefact, a back squat classifier with appraisal features is constructed from Matlab scripts which are proven to be effective with kinematic data from a novice athlete.