Estimating vertical ground reaction forces from plantar pressure using interpretable high-dimensional approximation

Several studies have reported methods for capturing ground reaction forces in the field. However, these forces are usually measured indirectly with non-interpretable “black box” models. Here we report an interpretable model with a function approximation algorithm. The model uses time series of plantar pressure from instrumented insoles to estimate vertical ground reaction forces. The study included data from 16 persons moving at different speeds on a two-belt treadmill equipped with force plates. The introduced regression model, based on a high-dimensional approximation, using only low-dimensional variable interactions, demonstrated its ability to estimate vertical ground reaction forces. The normalized mean square error for velocities between 3 and \(9\,\hbox {km}\,\hbox {h}^{-1}\) $9\text{km}{\text{h}}^{-1}$ ranged from 10.6 to \(24.4\,\%\) $24.4\%$ . The accuracy of the presented approach, which can be used to analyze and interpret the learned model, was comparable to that reported in the literature. Furthermore, the evaluation of the learned model is particularly suitable for embedded and portable systems and, after a one-time calibration measurement, allows permanent and laboratory-independent measurement of vertical ground reaction forces.