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International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET) Volume 9, Issue 11, November 2018, pp. 922–926, Article ID: IJMET_09_11_093

Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=11

ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

U-HEALTH SYSTEM FOR CORRECT WALKING

POSTURE

Sang Young Lee

Department of Health Administration Namseoul University, South Korea

ABSTRACT

Recently, there is a trend of various wearable devices expanding into the realm of our

daily life through U-Healthcare. These products provide medical service without

limitations in time and space. In particular, patients can be diagnosed of their health

conditions by using cellular phones, computers, etc. and get treatment from medical

personnel with the development of communication technology. Improper walking posture

can have a negative impact on the health of the spinal cord, joints, pelvis, etc. When

accumulated, complications may occur. Improper walking posture not only affects our

physical health but also mental health. In this paper, a wearable device that allows proper

walking posture has been designed and developed by measuring improper walking

posture using a pressure sensor and 3-axes acceleration sensor

Keywords: System, walking posture, Calibration, Healthcare

Cite this Article: Sang Young Lee, U-Health System for Correct Walking Posture,

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 9(11), 2018, pp. 922–

926.

http://www.iaeme.com/IJMET/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=9&IType=11

1. INTRODUCTION

Healthcare services provision and healthcare improvement is a current major concern for

governments all over the world. More than never, current scientific and technological findings

try to meet the needs of society for enabling a better and healthier life [1, 2]. Also, side effects

caused by medical accidents and so on are further expanding the desires for healthcare. In this

respect, one of the fields of society in which ubiquitous can be most widely utilized is ubiquitous

healthcare field which is most actively discussed recently. As an example, because it is shown

that chronic diseases are caused by wrong living behaviors of individuals and, in case of USA,

more than 50 % of death is caused by wrong living behaviors, healthy way of life is very

important. Also, there are many studies which have indicated failure of health information system

(HIS) informing that 70 % of such HIS have failed or have not satisfied end users and there are

much more cases of failure than of success [3, 4, 5].

Mobile technologies have transformed the way healthcare providers communicate and these

mobile devices are poised to revolutionize the way hospital deliver care. Mobile technology offers

ways to help these challenges [6, 7]. Through mobile health applications, sensors, medical

devices, and remoter patient monitoring products, there are avenues through which healthcare

Sang Young Lee

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delivery can be improved. Now this technology is poised to alter how health care is delivered,

the quality of the patient experience, and the cost of health care. Mobile technology is helping

with chronic disease management, empowering the elderly and expectant mothers, reminding

people to take medication at the proper time, extending service to underserved areas, and

improving health outcomes and medical system efficiency [8, 9, 10].

Recently, there is a trend of various wearable devices expanding into the realm of our daily

life through U-Healthcare [11]. These products provide medical service without limitations in

time and space [12]. In particular, patients can be diagnosed of their health conditions by using

cellular phones, computers, etc. and get treatment from medical personnel with the development

of communication technology [13, 14].

This paper measured the walking condition of the user and improper walking posture was

monitored through mobile application or PC by data analysis.

2. DESIGN OF SMART SYSTEM

As pressure is inflicted on the sensor, the resistance size of the sensor decreases and is able to

change the signal. Thus, the pressure strength of each point of shoe sole can be identified through

the pressure sensor. The location of the pressure sensor is based on the parts where weights are

inflicted the most when a person walks with shoes on. In the control part, an analog signal

received from the pressure sensor is made A/D and can be checked through the digital values of

1, 0. The 3-axes acceleration and gyro sensor require an analog sensor so it do not go through the

A/D process. The input value received at this point by using Bluetooth can transmit and receive

the data value in wireless.

The A/D Converter device used is ADC0808CCn. In this paper, the ADC IC device was used

to convert the analog input value of the pressure sensor into digital values. 1-4 pins were

connected to the pressure sensor. For the input of 8bits data of pressure sensor that is already

A/D, a rated voltage of 3.3V was given. Figure 1 shows the connection of the pressure sensor and

3-axes acceleration sensor using ADC IC chip on the breadboard. The communication module

used in this study is Bluetooth module (HC-06). By getting the signal, it is transmitted to a PC

and smart phone application, enabling real time monitoring of the sensor’s output value.

Figure 1 System Configuration

In this paper, 3-axes acceleration and gyro sensor (MPU-6050) were used. The form of

walking is classified through the sensor’s x, y, z axis. To correct the walking posture, improper

posture forms were classified into in-toed and out-toed gait. Out-toed gait is the form when the

toes are pointing outwards, and in-toed gait is the form when the toes are pointing inwards. The

U-Health System for Correct Walking Posture

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standard of classification is the angle of the toes during normal gait. Figure 4 is the algorithm of

the 3-axes acceleration sensor. The form of walking can be classified as in-toed gait, out-toed

gait or straight gait by setting any angle, having the standard value of angle of incidence and

judging based on the size of the angle - if it is bigger or smaller.

3. SMART SYSTEM FOR CORRECT WALKING POSTURE

In order to measure the user’s walking posture, 3-axes acceleration sensors were attached to the

front part of the shoes, with the x axis perpendicular to the progress direction and the y axis

parallel to the progress direction. After designating the angle of incidence from the foot heel to

the tip of foot, the standard of walking posture form was set. The difference between the out-toed

gait and in-toed gait was checked after setting the standard angle of normal walk. To check each

walk’s form and accuracy, the 3-axes acceleration sensor (MPU-6050) was used. This kind of

acceleration sensor has a high error value so it should be checked through several experiments.

Figure 2 shows the use of electric tape used to experiment each walking posture form, considering

the footsteps on the ground.

Figure. 2 Experiment of Walking Posture Form,

Thus, it is possible to distinguish out-toed and in-toed gait at once with the base graph and

comparative waveform. The waveform depicted for out-toed gait is generally located at the upper

part compared to the normal gait. Since this walk is more opened outward than normal walk, the

values of the x-axis and y-axis are both bigger.

The x-axis acceleration waveform on in-toed gait, in solid line, is located at the lower part

compared to the normal walk waveform in dotted line. Since this walk is more closed inward than

the normal gait, the value of x-axis of in-toed gait shows a smaller value compared to the value

of the x-axis of normal gait.

Finally, an application inventor was used to create an application so that the user can check

the walking posture in real time while walking. By receiving the acceleration sensor’s value, a

user can also receive an information message along with a voice alert when the walk is in-toed

gait and out-toed gait. For the voice alert, the value change in the sensors depending on each

walk’s form is sent through Bluetooth wireless communication. Then, the sound set from the

application programming is released through the smart phone speaker.

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Figure 3 Smart System for Correct Walking Posture

4. CONCLUSION

In this paper, a wearable device that allows proper walking posture has been designed and

developed by measuring improper walking posture using a pressure sensor and 3-axes

acceleration sensor. And a 3-axes acceleration and gyro sensor (MPU-6050) were used. The form

of walking is classified through the sensor’s x, y, z axis. To correct the walking posture, improper

posture forms were classified into in-toed and out-toed gait. Out-toed gait is the form when the

toes are pointing outwards, and in-toed gait is the form when the toes are pointing inwards. The

standard of classification is the angle of the toes during normal gait. The form of walking can be

classified as in-toed gait, out-toed gait or straight gait by setting any angle, having the standard

value of angle of incidence and judging based on the size of the angle - if it is bigger or smaller.

And, We measured improper walking posture using a pressure sensor and 3-axes acceleration

sensor. Thus, the correct order of the foot sole touching the ground is checked through the

pressure sensor, and the walking posture is checked through the 3-axes acceleration sensor. This

allows the user to analyze the walking form and distinguish normal gait from out-toed and in-

toed gait. The value change in the acceleration sensor can be monitored through waveform.

ACKNOWLEDGE

Funding for this paper was provided by Namseoul University

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