Extraction and Analysis of Kinematic Characteristics of Dance Movements Based on Inertial Sensors

Weiguang Cui
Article
2026 / Volume 9 / Pages 3338-3355
Published 25 April 2026

Abstract

This study explores the use of inertial measurement units (IMUs) for the kinematic analysis of the “Fan Shan Jiao Zi”, a traditional Chinese folk dance. Inertial sensors were utilized to capture data on joint angles, angular velocities, and accelerations of dancers, with a focus on specific movement features such as rhythm synchronization and movement efficiency. Data preprocessing techniques, including complementary filtering and dynamic time warping, were employed to extract key kinematic parameters. Results indicate that IMU-based analysis offers a reliable method for evaluating the precision and synchronization of dancers’ movements, and can effectively distinguish between dancers with varying levels of expertise. Additionally, the study explores the application of these findings in the development of smart textiles for dance costumes. The results provide insights into the biomechanics of traditional dance and offer a framework for the objective assessment of movement quality. These findings contribute to both the preservation of folk dance and the development of wearable sensor technologies for performance enhancement.

Keywords

inertial sensors, kinematic analysis, folk dance, smart textiles, movement synchronization