Effect of IMU location on estimation of vertical ground reaction force during jumping

Introduction: Several investigations have examined utilizing inertial measurement units (IMU) to estimate ground reaction force (GRF) during exercise. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of inertial measurement units location on the estimation of ground reaction force during vertical jumping. Methods: Eight male subjects completed a series of ten countermovement jumps on a force plate (FP). The subjects had an inertial measurement units attached to the sacrum, back and chest. Ground reaction force was estimated from data from the individual inertial measurement units and by using a two-segment model and combined sensor approach. Results: The peak ground reaction force values for the sacrum, back, chest and combined inertial measurement units were 1,792 ± 278 N, 1,850 ± 341 N, 2,054 ± 346 N and 1,812 ± 323 N, respectively. The sacral inertial measurement units achieved the smallest differences for ground reaction force estimates providing a root mean square error (RMSE) between 88 N and 360 N. The inertial measurement units on the sacrum also showed significant correlations in peak ground reaction force (p < 0.001) and average ground reaction force (p < 0.001) using the Bland-Altman 95% Limits of Agreement (LOA) when in comparison to the force plate. Discussion: Based on assessment of bias, Limits of Agreement, and RMSE, the inertial measurement units located on the sacrum appears to be the best placement to estimate both peak and average ground reaction force during jumping.