anketime

Anketime is a term used in wearable motion analysis and gait research to denote the time duration during which the ankle joint is engaged in movement or in a defined functional state within a given activity. There is no universal standard definition, and researchers may segment ankle time by gait phase, angular thresholds, or state classifications derived from sensor data. Because of this variability, anketime is often described in the context of a specific study or device.

Etymology and scope: The word combines ankle and time, reflecting its role as a time-based measure of ankle participation during activities such as walking, running, or rehabilitation tasks. It is distinct from measures such as speed, distance, or peak joint angles, and its exact meaning can differ across protocols.

Measurement methods: Anketime is typically obtained from inertial measurement units (IMUs) placed on the foot or shank, or from smart insoles. Data processing identifies intervals when the ankle is considered active or within a target state, and these intervals are summed to produce anketime for a task, per step, or per minute. Reported units include seconds, percent of task time, or total seconds per session.

Applications and interpretation: In clinical and sports settings, anketime can help assess gait performance, endurance, symmetry, and rehabilitation progress after injury or surgery. It is often analyzed alongside cadence, stride length, and joint angle trajectories to provide a fuller picture of ankle function.

Variants and limitations: Definitions and thresholds for anketime vary, and sensor placement or processing algorithms can influence results. Standardization efforts exist but are not universal, so explicit reporting of criteria used to estimate anketime is important for comparability.