Modeling for Military Operational Medicine Scientific and Technical Objectives (Improving Accuracy of the F-Scan Sensor)
Abstract
Recent advances in biomechanics have the potential to assist in the reduction of overuse injuries in the military. The three major components for this effort are: 1) a predictive overuse injury model, 2) a portable sensor to measure the primary input of the model-ground reaction forces, and 3) analysis of data from personnel undergoing military field exercises. This work evaluates the F-scan system as a potential sensor, specifically, its inability to accurately measure ground reaction forces. Modifications to make the F-scan system portable have been documented in another report (Sih 2001). The F-scan system (Tekscan, Inc., Boston, MA) is a small in-shoe sensor that measures plantar pressure distribution using a thin disposable sheet composed of an array of pressure sensing elements or sensels. Previous studies have found that while the F-scan system is capa ble of accurately recording relative pressures, errors up to 62% in total load are possible (Luo et al. 1998; Sumiya et al. 1998). For example, using data from a military boot study (Harman et al.), unacceptable errors in the F-scan system were found when compared to a force platform (37129% error at 3 selected points during the walking cycle).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA394755
Entities
People
- Bryant L. Sih
- James H. Stuhmiller