Sensor Based Motion Tracking and Recognition in Martial Arts Training

In various martial arts, competitors are interested in quantifying and categorising techniques which are exercised during training. The implementation of embedded systems into training gear, especially a portable wireless body worn system, based on inertial sensors, facilitates the quantification and categorisation of forces and accelerations involved during the training of martial arts. The scope of this paper is to give a brief overview of contemporary technology and devices, describe key methods that are implemented in such devices and as well to provide a project outline. For this reason a literature research was carried out using search engines and databases. The search yielded that devices are capable of tracking activities of daily life; however only one product was found which can track and recognise techniques applied in martial arts training just for the upper body. The realisation of a sensor based tracking system which can track and classify different exercises is possible with present technology. Even so, different challenges such as implementing a sensor fusion and classifier algorithm need to be overcome. Therefore, the project development has to be viewed as an iterative process.In various martial arts, competitors are interested in quantifying and categorising techniques which are exercised during training. The implementation of embedded systems into training gear, especially a portable wireless body worn system, based on inertial sensors, facilitates the quantification and categorisation of forces and accelerations involved during the training of martial arts. The scope of this paper is to give a brief overview of contemporary technology and devices, describe key methods that are implemented in such devices and as well to provide a project outline. For this reason a literature research was carried out using search engines and databases. The search yielded that devices are capable of tracking activities of daily life; however only one product was found which can track and recognise techniques applied in martial arts training just for the upper body. The realisation of a sensor based tracking system which can track and classify different exercises is possible with present technology. Even so, different challenges such as implementing a sensor fusion and classifier algorithm need to be overcome. Therefore, the project development has to be viewed as an iterative process.