Smart Treadmill Running Analysis Using Footstep Vibration

What is it about?

Have you ever wanted to track your running form on a treadmill without strapping on bulky gadgets like smart insoles or watches? Our work introduces VibRun, a novel system that uses cheap sensors attached to the treadmill to pick up the tiny vibrations from your footsteps. These vibrations tell us key details about how you run, like your step rhythm (cadence), how long your foot touches the ground each time, the timing between strides, where pressure builds up on your foot, and the center point of that pressure. We built this using advanced AI models that process the vibration data in real-time, right on a small device like a Raspberry Pi. No need for expensive equipment or anything touching your body, and it's all unobtrusive and works while you're just running normally. We tested it with 17 people of different ages, sizes, and fitness levels, running at various speeds on different treadmills. The results were spot-on, with tiny errors like just 29 milliseconds off on ground contact time and about 14 millimeters on pressure center. This makes it easy to get personalized tips to improve your run, avoid injuries, or even sync with virtual reality games and fitness apps for a more fun workout.

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Photo by Intenza Fitness on Unsplash

Photo by Intenza Fitness on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Running is hugely popular, with nearly 50 million people in the US alone hitting the pavement or treadmill each year, and the indoor running market is booming to $4 billion in 2024. But traditional ways to analyze your gait, like wearable sensors or costly lab setups, can be uncomfortable, expensive (over $8,000 for some insoles), or invasive. VibRun changes that by making detailed running insights accessible to everyone using just affordable vibration sensors and AI. It's unique because it's completely hands-off, real-time, and robust against noise, helping everyday runners optimize their form, spot imbalances early to prevent injuries like knee or ankle issues, and boost performance. In a world where virtual sports and gamified fitness apps are exploding, this tech can integrate seamlessly to make workouts more engaging and personalized, like giving your avatar in a running game your exact biomechanics. Timely now with rising interest in home fitness post-pandemic, it democratizes pro-level analysis, potentially reducing healthcare costs from running injuries and empowering more people to stay active safely.

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