Sane 2023synthesispaperfinal

Running Head: MODULAR FEEDBACK AND MOTION SENSING FOR POSTURE
CORRECTION IN WEIGHTLIFTING 1
Modular Feedback and Motion Sensing for Posture Correction in Weightlifting
Shriya Sane
Ms. Leila Chawkat
Intern/Mentor Program Period 6
Arik Slepyan, PhD Student
Dr. Nitish Thakor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering
March 17, 2023

Abstract
Although a popular form of exercise, weightlifting can cause a multitude of negative
consequences to long-term muscle condition and overall health if practiced improperly over
time. In order to prevent injury through repeated incorrect form in commonly difficult exercises,
we designed a multi-pronged device that is able to provide life feedback on squatting form. The
proposed solution is made up of a central module and several feedback nodes, which are to be
placed on areas of the body that are of key importance in the exercise being performed and will
provide vibrational stimulation if the posture of the wearer is not in alignment with a
pre-calibrated “correct” form. After testing, we observed that novice weightlifters who were
provided with live vibrational feedback were able to perform weighted squats with significantly
more ideal form after ten repetitions than those who were not provided live feedback but were
rather shown a one-time visual demonstration. As a result, we concluded that the constructed
solution was able to improve novice weightlifters' form towards the ideal, and thus would be
beneficial for forming healthy habits in the long-run.

Table of Contents
I. Introduction 4
II. Literature Review 5
III. Data Collection 10
Methods 15
Results & Analysis of Data 17
Future Direction 18
IV. Conclusion 20
I. Introduction
Weightlifting is often a hobby that starts among young men and women around their late
teens. For most, it remains a recreational interest alongside general fitness, an outlet to the stress
of academic and personal life. However, even the slightest errors in proper form may have
catastrophic effects on muscles, usually spinal ones (Mohtashman, n.d.). In order to prevent
injury through repeated incorrect form in commonly difficult exercises such as deadlifts and
squats, technology that is able to provide live feedback on stance and form may be quintessential
in developing proper habits for prolonged future use. This paper will argue that motion sensing
technology and wireless transmission of data can be utilized in conjunction with a decentralized,
modular feedback system in order to create a device that measures and provides live corrections
to weightlifting form, which will drastically decrease future injuries and strains with use.
II. Literature Review
Overwhelming evidence points towards the negative consequences of repeated
weightlifting with incorrect form over time. By default, “lifting a heavy load squeezes the
intervertebral discs, which places strain on the vertebrae and ligaments. Too many repetitions
with poor form may result in a herniated disc, which starts with pain or tingling in the lower back
that may also travel down the legs” (HOW POOR WEIGHTLIFTING FORM LEADS TO
INJURY, 2020). Since weightlifting is an inherently repetitive form of exercise in which
individuals are targeting specific muscle groups through the addition of weighted loads, even a
slightly misaligned form could lead to an unintentional muscle group being put under strain
(Bauer, n.d.). As a result, numerous long-term injuries could manifest in the weightlifter,
commonly rotator cuff injuries or SLAP (superior labrum anterior and posterior) tears (HOW
POOR WEIGHTLIFTING FORM LEADS TO INJURY, 2020). In addition, “clinical chronic
problems also occur in weight training, with the most common being vascular stenosis, weight
lifter's cephalgia, and hernia. For maximizing their athletic performance, athletes perform weight
training with heavier weights. The poor technique causes extra pressure on the rotator cuff when
lifting the weight which gives rise to shoulder injuries in athletes” (Mohtashman, n.d.).
Weightlifting injuries are even more common among 14-18 year old novices, as a lack of
knowledge on proper use of machines and targeting muscle groups is a pressing issue
(Mohtashman, n.d.). The three most common causes of weightlifting injuries are “doing too
much over time (overuse injury), doing too much at one time (acute injury), and using improper
form while lifting (overuse and acute injuries)”, and can lead to “back strains, rotator cuff strains,
biceps strains, and patellar tendonitis” (McCullum, 2022). In order to combat this, teaching
proper techniques and form to gym novices could significantly improve the habits they form and
thus lessen injuries in the long run.
In order to do this, a modular feedback system is proposed as an appropriate mechanism
for structuring the posture corrector. By doing so, parts of the body that are integral to
performing weighted exercises can be tracked individually, and given a vibrational stimulation
when they are not in the proper alignment and position.
In order to construct the peripheral and central modules for such a device, the peripherals
need to be able to collect coordinate data that can then be transmitted and analyzed. To achieve
this goal, each peripheral node is equipped with a MPU6050 motion sensor, a “Micro
Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) which consists of a 3-axis Accelerometer and 3-axis
Gyroscope inside it. This helps us to measure acceleration, velocity, orientation, displacement
and many other motion related parameters of a system or object.” (MPU6050 Accelerometer and
Gyroscope Module, 2021). The MPU has numerous features that make it ideal for a project such
as this. For one, it has a comes with a digital motion processor, which is able to “perform very
complex calculations/operations from its side, thus freeing up the microcontroller’s work. It
provides motion data like roll, pitch, yaw, angles, landscape, and portrait sense” (How to
Interface MPU6050 with the Arduino, 2021). Furthermore, this helps increase the precision of
coordinates collected because “[the MPU] has 16 bits assigned for each channel. Digital Motion
Processor or the DMP (Digital Matrix Processor) is an embedded processor that can reduce the
host processor’s computational load by acquiring and processing data from Accelerometer,
Gyroscope, and an external Magnetometer” (MPU6050 Accelerometer and Gyroscope Module,
2021). Precision in coordinates is crucial to the proper functioning of the proposed device
because small deviations from the ideal weightlifting form should be detected in order to
fine-tune the user’s posture.
Another key ability that is integral for each peripheral module is wireless transmission
and reception of data to and from a central module. This is required because once the MPU
collects coordinates, these coordinates must be checked to be in or out of the pre-designated
“bounds”, and the resulting answer should trigger a vibration motor if required in order to let the
user know of the deviation. In order to do this, a NRF24L01 wireless transmission module is
proposed due to its low costs, power efficiency, and long range (Nedelkovski, 2019). The NRF is
a “single chip transceiver module. It uses SPI protocol for transmitting data” (Watson, 2019).
One of its primary advantages is that the power consumption is about 11.3mA during
transmission and 13.5 mA during reception, which is “even lower than a single LED, therefore
making this the best choice for wireless device in low power applications” (What is NRF24L01 :
Pin Configuration & Its Working, n.d.). This is possible due to the chip’s “2.4GHz transceiver
with an embedded baseband protocol engine (Enhanced ShockBurst™) for ultra low power
wireless applications” (Advantages of using nRF24L01+ modules, 2022). Since we are
transmitting and receiving simple integers, a low power consuming transmitter is ideal and
practical. In addition, NRF24L01 modules are less than $2 per unit, and can be interfaced with
many microcontrollers using SPI protocol (How the nRF24L01 wireless transceiver module
works with Arduino, n.d.). This is crucial because it allows the use of Arduino libraries and the
Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for simplicity of programming each module.
However, the NRF is still capable of relatively long-range transmission, as “this module can send
the signal over several meters when set up correctly” (nRF24L01: An Affordable and Reliable
2-Way RF Wireless Transceiver Module, n.d.). This may be necessary so as to give individual
participants in data collection enough space to carry out a proper repetition while still collecting
accurate data.
Finally, each of the components required for each module are proposed to be soldered
onto a printed circuit board (PCB) for compacting the device into a wearable object. “A Printed
Circuit Board, or PCB for short, is mechanical support for electronic components that are
electrically linked via conductive paths or traces fixed from copper sheets that are coated with a
non-conductive substrate” (Das, 2022). PCBs are usually composed of many layers, including “a
defined number of copper layers, solder-mask 106, silkscreen 84 and board edge which are
required by the board house to manufacture your board” (Tutorial: Introduction to PCB design
with KiCad version 5.1 (Getting Started), 2021). PCBs are preferred in this application because
“many small components can be housed on a single simple PCB. Instead of using standard wires
to connect these components, copper tracks are used. As a result, hundreds of components can be
connected without concern for the size of the circuit board” (Das, 2022). KiCAD software was
used in order to place and route the necessary components onto the PCB in order to fit the entire
device to be about 2.5”x3” (Dahl, n.d.). There are numerous advantages to using PCBs aside
from space conservation. For one, “all of the components on a PCB are secured to the board
using solder flux. This is why the components won’t move no matter how much you move the
board. As a result, the circuit is substantially safer for routine usage” (Das, 2022). This is
especially important since the proposed device will be in active motion while being used and
could be subject to numerous falls and strains. Another key advantage to using a PCB is the
reduction of noise. If designed efficiently, “a PCB can assist in reducing electronic noise.
Electronic components are organized on a PCB with a minimum amount of space between them.
This drastically lowers the electrical noise. A PCB also aids in reducing electromagnetic pickup
and radiation. Less crosstalk between the components on the board is ensured as a result” (Das,
2022). This is also crucial to the proper functioning of the device because it will allow multiple
modules to work in close proximity on the body while still retaining unimpeded data
transmission and collection.
Overall, overwhelming evidence exists to prove the importance of proper weightlifting
posture to long-term health, and to support the components and methods outlined in this solution.
III. Data Collection
Figure 1 - a PCB with an Arduino microcontroller, MPU motion sensor, NRF

transmitter, vibration motor, and power supply. Each of these components makes up one
peripheral node, which will be placed on key positions on the body.
Figure 2 - the orientation of peripheral nodes on the demonstrator and all participants
Figure 3 - X and Y coordinate data for each participant’s peripheries compared to the ideal
demonstrator’s coordinates
Figure 8 - Average deviation from the demonstrator’s coordinates for X coordinates at the
bottom of the squat for each group.
Methods
For the purposes of answering the proposed research question, how can we design a solution to
enforce proper form in weightlifting novices in order to decrease chronic long-term injuries, I
collected and synthesized primarily quantitative data through an experimental method. In this
particular experiment, I worked with my mentor, Arik Slepyan, to first build a single module that
was able to collect motion sensing data, transmit the data, receive feedback, and carry out an
appropriate action with its vibration motor. In the instance that a specific module was found to be
outside of the bounds previously dictated to be “correct”, the vibration motor was set to buzz so
that the user could feel the sensation and know to pay special attention to align that part of the
body for the exercise being performed. In order to do this, five main components were routed
and soldered onto the designed PCB: an Arduino Nano microcontroller, MPU6050 motion
sensor, NRF24L01 wireless transmitter, vibration motor, and 9V battery (Figure 1). Other
components such as capacitors and switches were also included in the design to streamline the
functionality of the device.
The experimental design was to assess the weightlifting form of two groups of novice
students; all had minimal weight lifting experience and training and were females approximately
5’4” in height and 130 lbs. Both groups of three students each were shown a demonstration of a
properly performed weighted exercise, and then asked to repeat the movement on their own. The
demonstrator was equipped with four peripheral modules on the elbows and just above the knees,
as shown in Figure 2, and coordinates were collected. An appropriate range of deviation was
determined to be 0.5 units away from the exact coordinates of the demonstrator, and these ranges
were inputted into the code for each corresponding periphery. If any peripheral node’s
coordinates fell outside of that range of 0.5 away from the ideal, the vibration motor was set to
turn on.
For Group 1, each student was fitted with the peripheral modules in an orientation
identical to that of the demonstrator, and they were asked to mimic an ideal weighted squat after
watching the demonstration. Students were given nine practice repetitions to solidify their form
and stance before their coordinate data was collected on the tenth iteration. The vibration motor
was not operational during these repetitions or the final iteration during which data was
collected, and instead they were simply observed without providing any feedback.
For Group 2, each student was fitted with the peripheral modules in an orientation
identical to that of the demonstrator, and they were asked to mimic an ideal weighted squat after
watching the demonstration. Members of this group were also given nine practice repetitions to
solidify their form, but vibration feedback was enabled during these repetitions. In other words,
students were able to feel buzzing sensations on the appropriate limb if that limb traveled outside
of the designated predetermined range. The students’ coordinate data was collected on the tenth
iteration of the squat.
Since this experimental design was extremely simplified, there were many assumptions
that were made. For example, I screened candidates to ensure they were not serious athletes or
experienced in weightlifting, but individuals who are recreational athletes or generally active
could have an easier time performing these exercises than those who are not. Additionally, since
there was a shortage of available peripheral modules, central modules, and computers with
Arduino IDE, I had to collect coordinate data one individual at a time. Therefore, trial
participants may have been able to observe their colleagues, which could have boosted the
progress of those that were tested relatively later in the rotation. Finally, the small number of
participants was due to restrictions in gymnasium space, data collectors, and hardware, which
could have biased the data due to the sample size not being very large. As a result, the observed
correlation between positive vibrational feedback and improved weightlifting form could have
been overestimated. If this experiment were to be replicated, I would primarily use a larger
sample size, screen applicants for being equal in terms of physical activity and general
activeness, and isolate each participant during their trial.
Results & Analysis of Data
After obtaining the data described above, I was able to chart the X and Y positions at
both the top of the squat and bottom of the squat for each trial participant’s four peripheries
(Figure 3). The most noticeable difference between participants of the two groups was that
members of Group 1 were prone to splaying their knees outwards during squatting, a common
issue that can place unnecessary strain on the knees. For example, as illustrated by the
coordinates of Group 1, Person 1 (G1P1), the individual started off with their knees very close
together (Figure 4). The elbows were both well within the desired range for the starting position.
As the individual performed the squat, there was a very large variation in the X values for both
knees (Figure 5). If we observe the right knee as the focal point, as indicated by the dashed line
in Figure 4, we see that the right knee has deviated significantly to the left in Figure 5, which
represents this individual at the bottom of the squat. For comparison, in the demonstrator’s squat,
the difference between the X values for both knees throughout the squat was only 0.02 in the
right knee and 0.03 in the left. Again, if we represent the right knee as a focal point by placing a
dashed line through its starting position, we can see that the demonstrator’s right knee barely
deviates from this line as the squat is performed (Figures 6 & 7). This is ideal, because a
weighted squat is intended to target the quads and glutes, so the knees should be moving
relatively little throughout the progression. In the case of G1P1, the X values from the top and
bottom of the squat differed in the right knee by 2.45, and in the left knee by 2.95, which was
almost 100 times the deviation in the demonstrator’s squat. This same problem occurred for two
out of three members of Group 1, but it was not seen in any members of Group 2. On average,
the deviation for X values in Group 1 per periphery was 4.13%, whereas it was only 2.24% for
Group 2 (Figure 8).While this difference may not seem significant, the respective deviations for
peripheries two and three, the right and left knees, were 8.76% and 6.67% respectively for Group
1 members, compared to only 2.70% and 4.94% for Group 2 members. By completing this
analysis we see a clear correlation between live vibration feedback and adherence to the ideal
form for weighted squats.
Future Direction
Although the data proves a clear improvement in weightlifting form due to the ideated
device, there are many measures that could be improved to make the product more scalable and
versatile. For one, since this data is based on coordinates relative to the surroundings, all of the
test participants had to be close in height and weight in order for the coordinates to be
comparable. In a future endeavor, I would like to make the data collection (motion sensing) piece
of each periphery more equipped to work with individuals of different heights and sizes.
Additionally, the values that were collected are very specific to only squats, since the consistency
of the X and Y positions of both knees and elbows is somewhat unique to this particular exercise.
In the future, I hope to improve the data collection method to be less manual and thus be
versatile across a variety of exercises and movements. Another weakness of the existing solution
that I noticed is the frailty of the devices. Although one strength of using a PCB was increasing
the overall durability of the product, I noticed throughout data collection that the frequent falls
experienced by each module caused significant damage. For example, by the end of data
collection, two out of four modules had the vibration motor’s soldered wires loosen from the
connection, which broke the circuit unless held in a very particular angle and orientation. This
could be strengthened by soldering more precisely and accurate, perhaps using solder paste
instead of wire, or by creating a protective coating around the entirety of the board. Additionally,
one aspect of the current design that could be improved for the sake of user friendliness is
specifying the type of changes that need to be made by the user. In the current product, a
vibration sensation indicates that that specified limb needs to be adjusted in some manner.
However, in the future, we could aim to make this vibration more specific. For example, a single
short buzz could indicate a needed leftward shift, and two short buzzes could indicate a needed
rightward shift. By doing so, we would be able to ensure that the user is aware of exactly what
kind of adjustment needs to be made.

IV. Conclusion
The results of this research work to support the claim that a decentralized, modular
feedback system that utilizes motion sensing can create a device to measure and provide live
corrections to weightlifting form, which can drastically decrease injuries and strains in the
long-run. The literature review had numerous examples of chronic injuries that can manifest over
time if strain is placed on muscle groups in an incorrect manner, which is a very preventable
catastrophe. Instead of listening to verbal guidance or watching a demonstration of how to
perform an exercise, we imagined that allowing the novice to experience where changes need to
be made in the body would be a much more efficient and effective strategy for improving form in
a short period of time. As shown by the collected data, we saw a significant improvement in
form through only ten repetitions with enabled live vibrational feedback. In the case of G1P1,
continuing to perform weighted squats as they were initially doing would have placed
tremendous stress on both knees, and additions of weight could have only worsened the problem
until it manifested into an injury or strain. The instantaneous, live corrections they were able to
feel immediately transformed the entire appearance of their squat, and led to the improvement of
form in a matter of seconds. In the future, many adjustments can be made to the existing device
in order to improve its versatility, scope, and durability, but the underlying impacts of such a
technology remain undisputed.

References
Advantages of using nRF24L01+ modules. (2022, August 13). G-NiceRF. Retrieved March 2,
2023, from https://www.nicerf.com/item/nrf24l01-module
Bauer, L. (n.d.). Why Form Matters and How to Improve Yours. Aaptiv. Retrieved February 1,
2023, from https://aaptiv.com/magazine/form-matters-improve/
Das, S. (2022, September 21). What Are the Advantages of Using Printed Circuit Boards
(PCBs)? Electronics and You. Retrieved December 17, 2022, from
https://www.electronicsandyou.com/advantages-of-pcb.html
Dahl, Ø. N. (n.d.). Make Your First Printed Circuit Board. Build Electronic Circuits. Retrieved
December 18, 2022, from https://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/kicad-tutorial/
HOW POOR WEIGHTLIFTING FORM LEADS TO INJURY. (2020, January 8). Integrated
Rehabilitation Services. Retrieved October 28, 2022, from
https://integrehab.com/blog/sports-injuries/weightlifting-injury/
How the nRF24L01 wireless transceiver module works with Arduino. (n.d.). MyTecTutor.
Retrieved December 15, 2022, from
https://mytectutor.com/how-the-nrf24l01-wireless-transceiver-module-works-with-arduin
o/
How to Interface MPU6050 with the Arduino. (2021, February 19). Robu.in. Retrieved
November 10, 2022, from https://robu.in/mpu6050-with-arduino/
McCullum, K. (2022, August 23). Common Weightlifting Injuries & How to Prevent Them.
Houston Methodist. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from
https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2022/aug/common-weightlifting-injuries-
how-to-prevent-them/
Mohtasham, H., & Salehi, S. (n.d.). Review on Identifying the Causes and Frequency of
Weight-training Injuries and their Prevention Strategies [PDF]. Journal of Clinical
Physiotherapy Research.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335589968_Review_on_Identifying_the_Cause
s_and_Frequency_of_Weight-training_Injuries_and_their_Prevention_Strategies
MPU6050 Accelerometer and Gyroscope Module [Fact sheet]. (2021, March 17).
Components101. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from
https://components101.com/sensors/mpu6050-module
Nedelkovski, D. (2019, August). nRF24L01 ? How It Works, Arduino Interface, Circuits, Codes.
How To Mechatronics. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from
https://howtomechatronics.com/tutorials/arduino/arduino-wireless-communication-nrf24l
01-tutorial/
nRF24L01: An Affordable and Reliable 2-Way RF Wireless Transceiver Module. (n.d.).
OurPCB. Retrieved January 15, 2023, from https://www.ourpcb.com/nrf24l01.html
Tutorial: Introduction to PCB design with KiCad version 5.1 (Getting Started) [Online forum
post]. (2021, October). KiCAD Info. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from
https://forum.kicad.info/t/tutorial-introduction-to-pcb-design-with-kicad-version-5-1-getti
ng-started/20600
Watson, D. (2019, February 23). Introduction to NRF24L01. The Engineering Projects. Retrieved
October 19, 2022, from
https://www.theengineeringprojects.com/2019/02/introduction-to-nrf24l01.html
What is NRF24L01 : Pin Configuration & Its Working. (n.d.). El-Pro-Cus |
Electronics-Projects-Focus. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from
https://www.elprocus.com/nrf24l01/

Sane 2023synthesispaperfinal

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Sane 2023synthesispaperfinal

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Running Head: MODULAR FEEDBACK AND MOTION SENSING FOR POSTURE

Modular Feedback and Motion Sensing for Posture Correction in Weightlifting

Ms. Leila Chawkat

Intern/Mentor Program Period 6

Arik Slepyan, PhD Student

Dr. Nitish Thakor, Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering

March 17, 2023

Although a popular form of exercise, weightlifting can cause a multitude of negative

beneficial for forming healthy habits in the long-run.

II. Literature Review

Overwhelming evidence points towards the negative consequences of repeated

INJURY, 2020). Since weightlifting is an inherently repetitive form of exercise in which

POOR WEIGHTLIFTING FORM LEADS TO INJURY, 2020). In addition, “clinical chronic

thus lessen injuries in the long run.

In order to do this, a modular feedback system is proposed as an appropriate mechanism

when they are not in the proper alignment and position.

Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) which consists of a 3-axis Accelerometer and 3-axis

Gyroscope, and an external Magnetometer” (MPU6050 Accelerometer and Gyroscope Module,

fine-tune the user’s posture.

collects coordinates, these coordinates must be checked to be in or out of the pre-designated

wireless applications” (Advantages of using nRF24L01+ modules, 2022). Since we are

Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for simplicity of programming each module.

transmission and collection.

Overall, overwhelming evidence exists to prove the importance of proper weightlifting

III. Data Collection

Figure 1 - a PCB with an Arduino microcontroller, MPU motion sensor, NRF

functionality of the device.

iteration of the squat.

activeness, and isolate each participant during their trial.

Results & Analysis of Data

form for weighted squats.

kind of adjustment needs to be made.

catastrophe. Instead of listening to verbal guidance or watching a demonstration of how to

technology remain undisputed.

2023, from https://www.nicerf.com/item/nrf24l01-module

2023, from https://aaptiv.com/magazine/form-matters-improve/

(PCBs)? Electronics and You. Retrieved December 17, 2022, from

December 18, 2022, from https://www.build-electronic-circuits.com/kicad-tutorial/

Rehabilitation Services. Retrieved October 28, 2022, from

Retrieved December 15, 2022, from

November 10, 2022, from https://robu.in/mpu6050-with-arduino/

Houston Methodist. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from

Weight-training Injuries and their Prevention Strategies [PDF]. Journal of Clinical

Components101. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from

How To Mechatronics. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from

nRF24L01: An Affordable and Reliable 2-Way RF Wireless Transceiver Module. (n.d.).

OurPCB. Retrieved January 15, 2023, from https://www.ourpcb.com/nrf24l01.html

October 19, 2022, from

What is NRF24L01 : Pin Configuration & Its Working. (n.d.). El-Pro-Cus |

Electronics-Projects-Focus. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from

You might also like