.png)
From Gait to Range of Motion Assessment: Why is baiobit One of the Most Well-versed IMUs Available for Clinical and Field-Based Assessment.
Published by Harry Halsey (October 15th 2025)
Introduction
Inertial measurement units, commonly known as IMUs, are quickly changing the game when it comes to the healthcare industry. Due to their lightweight, cost-effective nature, IMUs on a clinical field-based level are proving to be the go-to when compared to alternative human movement measurement systems like 3D motion capture.
​
IMUs, such as baiobit, operate using 3-key components to track movement: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. Despite all having very similar make-ups, vast differences between devices are prevalent. baiobit places itself at the forefront of the IMU field for clinical healthcare due to its innate competencies to provide objective, trackable insights, alongside instantaneous reporting, and comparative normative data.
​
The scope of this short blog is to introduce the capabilities of baiobit from the perspective of its four modules: Gait and Balance, Range of Motion, Return to Play and Cognitive. Continue reading to find out how baiobit endeavours to be a digital assistant always by your side.
1) Gait & Balance
As by the name, this first module is orientated around walking gait and balance testing. It includes validated linear walk testing, two variations of balance assessment and a comprehensive timed up and go (TUG) test [1-3]. Typically, in a technology starved clinic, these tests are very subjective with the patient receiving a single metric, often time, and relying heavily on the clinician's thoughts following visual assessment. Using baiobit these rudimentary tests can be enhanced with real time biofeedback for pelvic kinematics and balance trace tracking, followed by instant detailed reporting, featuring a vast battery of metrics. ​
​Let us take the TUG test as an example. Commonly the test is done with the only trackable metric being time via a stopwatch. Performing the same test with baiobit, we now have access to many useful metrics, alongside normative data. Information on categorising one’s movement independence and risk of fall; timing on each component of the TUG test (e.g., stand up time and turn time); peak accelerations during standing and important sitting stages; as well as trackable values for trunk tilt are available. Using this information, we can provide informed feedback to patients and really help their understanding of how they are moving, to make an impact during therapy.
2) Range of Motion
The next module, Range of Motion (ROM), offers hands-free assessment and biofeedback exercises for the cervical region through to the freedom of any joint. When performing ROM measurements with traditional methods, classic goniometers for example, you become limited to flexion and extension movements, as well as having the tricky task of assisting patients that require more support. With baiobit ROM testing the lightweight sensor is affixed to the patient allowing you as the clinician to be of support when needed whilst measuring ROM in all three planes of movement. .
The powers of biofeedback for motor relearning and shaping the desired responses is not something new, although overlooked, it is another tool available for clinicians to provide patients the opportunity to regain and learn self-control for movement [4,5]. Within baiobit ROM testing this comes in two forms. The first being immediate changing coloured progress bars depending on a patient's maximal score in line with normative data and the second is via in-built training exercises. These exercises range from joint position sense and gamification in the shape of cervical clock. No matter the pathology of your patients, baiobit ROM testing and feedback allows your patients to be engaged in the task at hand, making even the simplest task of flexibility testing beneficial.
3) Return to Play
Ensuring a patient's readiness to participate in physical activity following injury is a big talking point for therapists. Without regular testing, it is difficult to objectively give someone the all clear to return to their normal activities, without the risk of reinjury. This can come in many forms however one of most widely used procedures is with jump assessments. baiobit is well-versed in terms of the jump testing available, including countermovement jumps, squat jumps, stiffness or pogo jumps, and the drop jump.
​
Choose from a selection of validated jump metrics to view during the selected jump test or review the instantaneous report provided following assessment [6,7]. Parameters like jump height, max force, rate of force development and pelvic kinematic qualities are attainable and trackable over time. The comparison feature allows the ability to see a patients progress along the recovery or training path, with percentage change and PDF reports available. Ensure your patients are developing with objective measurement, what gets measured, gets managed!
4) Cognitive
Along the same theme as biofeedback, psychological and cognitive therapy is snowballing into an incredibly important focal point amongst many clinical practices, especially within the neurological world. Likewise of physical objective tracking of characteristics it is pivotal to a patient's rehabilitation to regularly assess the cognitive function. This can all be done in one place without the need to use numerous ever-changing websites for various games via the cognitive module. The patient friendly software features tasks like finding the outside object, memory cards, puzzles, and logic association to effectively train different components of cognition. Furthermore, customised playlists can be created, allowing clinicians to create a personalised challenging environment for their patients that can be adapted continually in line with their rehabilitation progress.
Conclusion
Overall, baiobit has its place within any therapy environment, whether that be post-stroke rehabilitation or athlete screening. If you specialise in areas, or serve for a range of patient cases, baiobit can provide tailored testing for your population. From validated gait testing to the range of motion of the shoulder, have it covered with baiobit.​​
​To receive further details on baiobit and how it can enhance your practice, contact us here to schedule an exploratory call with one of our experts.​​
References
[1] D’Addio, G., Donisi, L., Pagano, G., Improta, G., Biancardi, A., & Cesarelli, M. (2019, July). Agreement between opal and G-walk wearable inertial systems in gait analysis on normal and pathological subjects. In 2019 41st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC) (pp. 3286-3289). IEEE.
[2] Kleiner, A. F. R., Pacifici, I., Vagnini, A., Camerota, F., Celletti, C., Stocchi, F., ... & Galli, M. (2018). Timed Up and Go evaluation with wearable devices: validation in Parkinson's disease. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies, 22(2), 390-395.
[3] Cimolin, V., Capodaglio, P., Cau, N., Galli, M., Santovito, C., Patrizi, A., ... & Sartorio, A. (2017). Computation of spatio-temporal parameters in level walking using a single inertial system in lean and obese adolescents. Biomedical Engineering/Biomedizinische Technik, 62(5), 505-511.
[4] Basmajian, J. V. (1979). Biofeedback: Principles and practice for clinicians. Williams & Wilkins.
[5] Hilgard, E. R., & Bower, G. H. (1966). Theories of learning.
[6] Gadev, M., Peev, P., & Hristov, O. (2020). Agreement Between Measurement of Jump Height in Different Vertical Jump Tests Executed By Young Football Players. Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, (2), 40-52.
[7] McHugh, M. P. (2019). Countermovement jump recovery in professional soccer players using an inertial sensor. ijspp, 2018, 0131.
