Clay Nelson, Ph.D. August 1, 2010
Abstract:
Accelerometers in an iPhone are used to measure the g-forces (i.e., acceleration, or more
loosely, the changes in motion) developed while walking solo forward and walking solo
backward to tango music. The individuals tested and reported on in this study are a
male tango teacher (myself), a male student and two female students of varying tango
ability and experience. From the results it is clear that one can identify where each step
is taken by changes in acceleration from side-to-side, changes in up-and-down motion,
and change in the speed of the linear forward motion. Generally speaking, a smoother
walk will result in lower acceleration readings, and, although of a more subjective
nature, there also appears to be a correlation in the smoothness of a person’s walk (low
acceleration readings) and the experience and proficiency of the dancer.
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