Lee (20221) Reliability of Measuring Leg Segments and Joint Angles Using Smartphones during Aquatic Exercise
Summary: Smartphone Measurement Reliability in Aquatic Gait Analysis
Introduction: Advancing Aquatic Therapy with Smartphones
Innovations in aquatic therapy have led to the use of smartphones for measuring leg segments and joint angles during aquatic exercises. This study by Lee and Han explored the reliability of such measurements, a significant step forward in clinical and research applications. Aquatic therapy, beneficial for health maintenance and quality of life improvement post-injury, often involves patients with walking difficulties due to balance and gait disturbances. The buoyancy of water supports partial weight-bearing exercises, reducing joint stress and pain.
Methodology: Smartphone-Based Measurements
The study involved 19 healthy adults who had smartphones strapped to their trunks, thighs, and shanks. These devices measured the angles of respective segments during aquatic gait. Participants’ movements were recorded and analyzed over two sessions, focusing on the range of motion (ROM) in the trunk, thigh, shank, hip, and knee joints.
Results: Assessing Measurement Reliability
The study found smartphones to be reliable tools for measuring leg segments and joint angles in aquatic environments. The highest reliability was observed in the shank segment ROM, while trunk, thigh, and knee joint ROMs also showed good reliability. These findings validate the practicality of using smartphones for aquatic motion analysis, offering an accessible method for clinical and research purposes.
Conclusion: Enhancing Clinical Practice with Smartphone Technology
Concluding that smartphones can effectively measure leg segments and joint angles during aquatic gait, this study highlights their potential in enhancing aquatic therapy’s efficacy. This approach provides a simpler, more accessible means of obtaining quantitative data, paving the way for broader application in clinical practice and aquatic exercise research.
Keyphrase: Smartphone Reliability in Aquatic Therapy
Keywords: Aquatic therapy, smartphone measurement, leg segments, joint angles, aquatic gait, range of motion, clinical practice, rehabilitation, aquatic exercise research, motion analysis, Hydrotherapy, Aquatic therapy, Smartphone
