Motion Analysis Using GPS

The world of motion measurement and analysis has a long history. For centuries, the methods used to capture movement have been as varied as they have been ingenious. Today, the art allows us to measure movements smaller than a few micrometres. However, despite the these impressive advances, motion analysis is confronted with three major obstacles: cost, reliability and portability. Elaborate and costly research settings are highly precise and accurate, however, they confine the analysis to only a few metres of movement. Today, an alternative technology is offering a promising resolution to this problem. Inertial devices, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are allowing measurements to take place outside of the laboratory. Moreover, new developments in manufacturing are allowing these instruments to become small enough to be worn without impeding our everyday movements,and cost effective enough to compete with existing technologies. The remaining problem is defining the sensor accuracy. In order for accelerometry to take its place in the world of motion analysis, it must be able to provide reliable results with the same precision as the current state-of-the-art.