Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Motion sensor based on micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) has many features, such as simple installation, use conveniently and lower cost and so on, so it has brought an opportunity for human movement measurement changes.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the motion sensors which suit for the measurement of human movement and research achievements about its applications.
METHODS: Articles about the application of MEMS sensor in human movement measurement were retrieved from CNKI and ISI databases with the key words of “micro electro mechanical systems sensor, human motion, human movement” in both Chinese and English from 2005 to August 2011. Articles in the same circle published in the authoritative journals or recently published (past 5 years) were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Totally 180 articles were initialy retrieved, and 34 were selected in the final analysis. There are increased awareness and application of MEMS sensor techniques in human movement measurement field. Motion sensors can quickly and easily detect the body movement information which can be widely used in clinical field. With the continuous development of hardware and software technology, MEMS sensor techniques will be mainstream means of human movement measurement.