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Bias Compensation in Pressure Mat Used in Running Trials: A Comparative Study with a Force Plate

Johansson Lindberg, Morgan LU and Andersson, Jacob LU (2025) EEML05 20251
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Abstract
Measurements of vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) is an important factor to consider in gait analysis and is often used in clinical studies. Traditionally, these measurements are often done using force plate sensors embedded in the ground. Recent advancements in the field have made it possible to conduct these studies using treadmills with similar embedded sensors, systems consisting of either a force plate or a pressure mat. However, previous studies have questioned the validity of these pressure mat systems and suggest they yield inconsistent results.

This study aims to investigate whether a bias in the pressure mat exists and, if so, quantify it, investigate the underlying reasons for it occurring and attempt to compensate for... (More)
Measurements of vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) is an important factor to consider in gait analysis and is often used in clinical studies. Traditionally, these measurements are often done using force plate sensors embedded in the ground. Recent advancements in the field have made it possible to conduct these studies using treadmills with similar embedded sensors, systems consisting of either a force plate or a pressure mat. However, previous studies have questioned the validity of these pressure mat systems and suggest they yield inconsistent results.

This study aims to investigate whether a bias in the pressure mat exists and, if so, quantify it, investigate the underlying reasons for it occurring and attempt to compensate for it.

The data used in this study was collected at MoRe-Lab in Lund, using a treadmill with an embedded pressure mat. Data from 13 participants from a larger study and 4 participants from additional trials targeting specific conditions was analysed. vGRF data was collected using a force plate and corresponding impulse values were compared to those obtained from a pressure mat.

Results showed the pressure mat consistently underestimated impulse values, as well as having a plateauing decline in impulse values over time, suggesting a bias is present, acting similarly between participants. Therefore, to compensate for the bias, factors for correction in different time intervals are presented. When these factors are applied to their respective time points, there is a significant improvement in reliability of the pressure mat. (Less)
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author
Johansson Lindberg, Morgan LU and Andersson, Jacob LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Kompensation för mätfel i tryckmatta vid löptester: En jämförande studie med en kraftplatta
course
EEML05 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
language
English
id
9203313
date added to LUP
2025-07-01 09:23:51
date last changed
2025-07-01 09:23:51
@misc{9203313,
  abstract     = {{Measurements of vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) is an important factor to consider in gait analysis and is often used in clinical studies. Traditionally, these measurements are often done using force plate sensors embedded in the ground. Recent advancements in the field have made it possible to conduct these studies using treadmills with similar embedded sensors, systems consisting of either a force plate or a pressure mat. However, previous studies have questioned the validity of these pressure mat systems and suggest they yield inconsistent results.

This study aims to investigate whether a bias in the pressure mat exists and, if so, quantify it, investigate the underlying reasons for it occurring and attempt to compensate for it. 

The data used in this study was collected at MoRe-Lab in Lund, using a treadmill with an embedded pressure mat. Data from 13 participants from a larger study and 4 participants from additional trials targeting specific conditions was analysed. vGRF data was collected using a force plate and corresponding impulse values were compared to those obtained from a pressure mat.

Results showed the pressure mat consistently underestimated impulse values, as well as having a plateauing decline in impulse values over time, suggesting a bias is present, acting similarly between participants. Therefore, to compensate for the bias, factors for correction in different time intervals are presented. When these factors are applied to their respective time points, there is a significant improvement in reliability of the pressure mat.}},
  author       = {{Johansson Lindberg, Morgan and Andersson, Jacob}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Bias Compensation in Pressure Mat Used in Running Trials: A Comparative Study with a Force Plate}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}