Authors:
Sebastian Mayr
and
Harald Rieser
Affiliation:
Human Motion Analytics, Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, Salzburg, Austria
Keyword(s):
5G, Body Sensor Network, Running, Real-Time Feedback.
Abstract:
Immediate feedback is vital in sports and motor learning. Traditionally, coaches provide this feedback. However,
recent developments in wearable sensing and feedback devices, state-of-the-art processing algorithms and
sensor data integration allow for new applications and insights. While this allows for more direct feedback, it
also introduces new demands on feedback systems in terms of network transmission speed, energy consumption
and needed calculation power. The 5G networking standard is a promising technology to address these
issues. It promises reduced energy usage, high availability, latency in the low millisecond range and high data
rates up to 10 Gbps. Despite these characteristics, there has not been much research on the use of 5G in sports
biofeedback systems. Therefore, this work aims to assess the usability of 5G for a real-time feedback system
in the sports context. We did this by developing a distributed feedback system for the assessment of running
gait symme
try. The system utilizes internal smartphone IMU as sensors and employs a 5G infrastructure for
data transmission to an offsite server for the calculation of running metrics and generation of the feedback
signal. Pilot tests, using the feedback system, showed mean roundtrip times of 140.14ms (sd = 14.47ms) for
outdoor use and 128.92ms (sd = 25.83ms) for indoor use. These results indicate that promised low latencies
by the 5G standard are currently not reachable outside of controlled testing environments. Nonetheless, as
these times are below average reaction times in recreational athletes (150ms) it is still promising for real-time
feedback applications in running.
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