Integrated portable device and method implementing an accelerometer for detecting asymmetries in a movement of a user

A non-transitory computer data carrier storing a computer program, comprising:

• digital processor for executing the computer program to calculate, during or at the end of at least one exercise performed by a user, on the basis of acceleration data measured along at least a vertical direction using an accelerometer, a plurality of biomechanical parameters which allow at least one asymmetry in a movement of the user to be determined, wherein said biomechanical parameters include:
• i) a stride regularity index of an exercise determined on the basis of said acceleration data, wherein said stride regularity index is determined based on dispersion of a reactivity, and wherein the reactivity is determined based on flight time and contact time, and wherein flight time and contact time are determined on the basis of said acceleration data;
• and
• ii) a fatigue level indicator determined on the basis of said regularity index,
• and wherein the digital processor is configured to calculate said plurality of biomechanical parameters.

A device designed for detecting asymmetries in a movement of a user, comprising:

• a self-sufficient electric power source;
• a triaxial accelerometer for providing distinct acceleration sequence data along three distinct axis whilst the user performs at least one exercise;
• a digital processor programmed for calculating, during or at the end of said exercise, a plurality of biomechanical parameters enabling a detection of at least one asymmetry in a movement of said user, on the basis of said acceleration data, said biomechanical parameters including:
• i) a stride regularity index of an exercise determined on the basis of said acceleration data, wherein said stride regularity index is determined based on dispersion of a reactivity, and wherein the reactivity is determined based on flight time and contact time, and wherein flight time and contact time are determined on the basis of said acceleration data;
• and
• ii) a fatigue level indicator determined on the basis of said regularity index,
• and wherein the digital processor is configured to calculate said plurality of biomechanical parameters.

A method for detecting asymmetries in a movement of a user, comprising:

• (a) fastening a device on the torso of said user, close to his/her center of gravity, said device being electrically self-sufficient and comprising a triaxial accelerometer for providing distinct acceleration sequence data along three distinct axis, and a digital processor;
• (b) measuring a sequence of acceleration data along at least a vertical direction using said accelerometer, while the user performs at least one exercise;
• (c) during or at the end of this exercise, having said processor calculate, on the basis of said acceleration data, a plurality of biomechanical parameters which allow at least one asymmetry in the movements of the user to be determined, wherein said biomechanical parameters includes:
• a stride regularity index of the exercise determined on the basis of said acceleration data, wherein said stride regularity index is determined based on dispersion of a reactivity, and wherein the reactivity is determined based on flight time and contact time, and wherein flight time and contact time are determined on the basis of said acceleration data;
• and a fatigue level indicator determined on the basis of said stride regularity index.