SGCI (Smartwatch Gait Coordination Index): New Measure for Human Gait Utilizing Smartwatch Sensor

Abstract

Human walking reflects the state of human health. Numerous medical studies have been conducted to analyze walking patterns and to diagnose disease progression. However, this process requires expensive equipment and considerable time and manpower. Smartwatches are equipped with gyro sensors to detect human movements and graph-walking patterns. To measure the abnormality in walking using this graph, we developed a smartwatch gait coordination index (SGCI) and examined its usefulness. The phase coordination index was applied to analyze arm movements. Based on previous studies, the PCI formula was applied to graphs obtained from arm movements, showing that arm and leg movements during walking are correlated with each other. To prove this, a smartwatch was worn on the arms and legs of eight healthy adults and the difference in arm movements was measured. The SGCI values with abnormal walking patterns were compared with the SGCI values obtained during normal walking. The SCGI can be automatically and continuously measured with the gyro sensor of the smartwatch and can be used as an indirect indicator of human walking conditions.