Identifying Muscle Strength Imbalances in Athletes using Motion Analysis Incorporated with Sensory Inputs

Movement analysis is one of the commonly used methods in the context of physiotherapy to identify dysfunctions in the human musculoskeletal system. The overhead squat is a popular movement pattern that is also approved by NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine of USA) among the various movement patterns that are used to identify muscle dysfunctions. It is commonly used to draw conclusions on an athlete’s muscle imbalance in the clinical field based on observed compensations of the movement pattern. It is used by trainers as well as fitness enthusiasts to routinely assess their movement patterns. The correct execution of movements in every athlete is crucial since the incorrect bio-mechanics can result in injuries that would take a considerable amount of time to recover through rehabilitation. Thus, there is a need to evaluate injury risks accurately. The primary purpose of this research is to propose a method of detecting muscle imbalances in collegiate athletes with the aid of a low-cost motion tracking device. This proposed method facilitates the detection of muscle imbalances in both upper-body as well as lower-body during the execution of the overhead squat.