Gait & Posture
Volume 26, Issue 2 , Pages 194-199, July 2007

Evaluation of a threshold-based tri-axial accelerometer fall detection algorithm

We dedicate this paper to the memory of our late colleague and co-author, Jacinta O’Brien, who died suddenly on February 3, 2004: “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis”.

  • A.K. Bourke

      Affiliations

    • Biomedical Electronics Laboratory, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +353 86 6037831; fax: +353 61 338176.
    • ,
  • J.V. O’Brien

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
    • ,
  • G.M. Lyons

      Affiliations

    • Biomedical Electronics Laboratory, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland

Received 4 May 2006; received in revised form 21 July 2006; accepted 8 September 2006. published online 15 November 2006.

Abstract 

Using simulated falls performed under supervised conditions and activities of daily living (ADL) performed by elderly subjects, the ability to discriminate between falls and ADL was investigated using tri-axial accelerometer sensors, mounted on the trunk and thigh. Data analysis was performed using MATLAB to determine the peak accelerations recorded during eight different types of falls. These included; forward falls, backward falls and lateral falls left and right, performed with legs straight and flexed. Falls detection algorithms were devised using thresholding techniques. Falls could be distinguished from ADL for a total data set from 480 movements. This was accomplished using a single threshold determined by the fall-event data-set, applied to the resultant-magnitude acceleration signal from a tri-axial accelerometer located at the trunk.

Keywords: Falls in the elderly, Fall detection, Accelerometer, ADL, Resultant-magnitude signal

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PII: S0966-6362(06)00189-5

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.09.012

Gait & Posture
Volume 26, Issue 2 , Pages 194-199, July 2007

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