Comparison and Analysis of Different Motion Capture Technologies in Gait Function Assessment

Accurate gait function assessment is essential for elucidating human locomotor mechanisms and for the early diagnosis of movement disorders. This study systematically compares optical, inertial measurement unit (IMU) and wearable motion capture technologies used in clinical and free-living gait analysis; synthesizes peer-reviewed advances published between 2014 and 2024; identifies remaining methodological gaps; and evaluates each systems spatial accuracy, temporal resolution, economic cost, setup complexity and ecological validity. Optical systems deliver sub-millimeter precision yet demand expensive laboratory infrastructure, multi-camera calibration and prolonged preparation; IMU-based and wearable alternatives provide superior portability, rapid deployment and markedly lower expenditure, but introduce magnetometer drift, integration errors and reduced spatial fidelity. Performance benchmarking across level walking, running and stair-negotiation tasks demonstrates that hybrid configurations combining optical reference with lightweight wearable sensors can mitigate individual limitations while preserving clinical interpretability. Findings indicate that technology selection must be tailored to the assessment context, explicitly balancing precision, economic feasibility, user burden and long-term scalability, thereby guiding clinicians, engineers and policymakers toward optimal implementation strategies for routine and remote gait monitoring.