Reliability of a low-cost webcam recording system for three-dimensional lower limb gait analysis

The purposes of this study were to develop and evaluate the test-retest reliability of a specific low-cost three-dimensional webcam recording system (3D-WCRS) and compare its reliability to a standard motion analysis system. Twenty healthy volunteers comprised of 5 males and 15 females with a mean age of 22.90 years and mean BMI of 22.72 kg/m² were investigated for angles of hip, knee and ankle joints in three planes while walking at a self-selected speed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to evaluate as well as compare the test-retest reliability of the 3D-WCRS and standard motion analysis system. Standard error of measurement (SEM) was also analyzed for the purposes of the study. The results exhibited excellent test-retest reliability for the 3D-WCRS (ICCs ranged between 0.93 and 0.99, p = 0.001) in the three joints and planes. The standard motion analysis system demonstrated excellent reliability for all joints and planes (ICCs ranged between 0.99 and 1.00, p = 0.001). Minimal SEM values were observed in both the 3D-WCRS and standard motion analysis systems. Therefore, the developed low-cost 3D-WCRS exhibits good to excellent test-retest reliability. The test-retest reliability of the 3D-WCRS is likely to be comparable to a standard motion analysis system.