Paddling Posture Correction System Using IMU Sensors

In recent times, motion capture technology using inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors has been actively used in sports. In this study, we developed a canoe paddle, installed with an IMU and a water level sensor, as a system tool for training and calibration purposes in water sports. The hardware was fabricated to control an attitude heading reference system (AHRS) module, a water level sensor, a communication module, and a wireless charging circuit. We also developed an application program for the mobile device that processes paddling motion data from the paddling operation and also visualizes it. An AHRS module with acceleration, gyro, and geomagnetic sensors each having three axes, and a resistive water level sensor that senses the immersion depth in the water of the paddle represented the paddle motion. The motion data transmitted from the paddle device is internally decoded and classified by the application program in the mobile device to perform visualization and to operate functions of the mobile training/correction system. To conclude, we tried to provide mobile knowledge service through paddle sport data using this technique. The developed system works reasonably well to be used as a basic training and posture correction tool for paddle sports; the transmission delay time of the sensor system is measured within 90 ms, and it shows that there is no complication in its practical usage.