For this project, we analyzed our gait to see what we can find out about a person from their gait. We used an accelerator app on our phone to record data that we put into a spreadsheet and formed graphs from. We created a formula to help one determine factors about a person from their gait and predicted what could affect a person's gait. Our lab report and mini presentation are below.
Concepts
gait - the stride of a human as s/he moves his/her limbs. This project was based around gait and it was the subject that we were trying to learn more about. accelerometer - a device that measures the physical acceleration experienced by an object. We used an accelerometer to measure the difference in people's gait. dynamicity (for gait analysis) - the quantification of variations in kinematic or kinetic parameters within a step. When measuring with the accelerometer, we were trying to record the dynamicity between different people. model - a description of observed or predicted behavior of some system that allows complex systems to be understood and their behavior predicted. We created models for the data that we collected: the graphs and the predictive model. symmetry (for gait analysis) - the quantification of differences between left-foot and right-foot steps. One of the things we were looking at when analyzing our data was symmetry. variability (for gait analysis) - the quantification of fluctuations from one stride to the next. One of the things we were looking at when analyzing our data was variability.
Reflection
Throughout this project, our group faced many challenges. One of the main issues was that for a large portion of this project, we were using our class time to work on making an OP51 (to learn basic metal-working techniques). This forced us to work on the project at home, and not together. We were able to communicate through the use of technology, but it was still an obstacle that made it more difficult to have a cohesive project. Another challenge we faced was understanding the data that was recorded by the accelerometer. The app that we were using didn't label the data very well and we struggled to understand it. In the end, we figured out that app was recording the horizontal (forward and backwards, side to side) and vertical motion. Where we were successful in this project was when we were recording our data because it was fun and we did a good job controlling the different variables. We also were very productive in making a very informative lab report, and I think that it turned out good and it was something that we all collaborated on well. During this project, I learned a lot about gait and just how much it can tell you about a person. It was interesting to see my own gait compared to other peoples'. I think that this project also strengthened my group's knowledge about working in groups and how to improve our collaboration skills. Because we had to work on most of it at home, our communication and collaboration skills were tested and I learned the extent to which I can make a project come together.