Abstract

The advancement of wearable technology has enhanced athlete monitoring across various sports and competitive levels. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) enable the quantification of external load at different anatomical locations, providing ecologically valid data in real-world sporting environments. This systematic review examines the prevalence, application, and methodological considerations of lower limb-worn IMUs in competitive sports outside laboratory settings. A comprehensive search across four databases identified 71 relevant studies categorized by publication information, participant demographics, device specifications, and task characteristics. Findings indicate a substantial increase in the use of lower limb IMUs over the past decade, with a wide range of spatiotemporal parameters analyzed across diverse athletic populations. Despite this growth, gaps remain in device specifications, longitudinal studies, and standardization of monitoring protocols. These results highlight the potential of IMUs as a noninvasive tool for spatiotemporal parameters and sport-specific movement patterns, offering valuable insights to refine training prescriptions and optimize athlete performance.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

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This research did not require IRB approval (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024526056).

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Data Availability

All relevant data are within the manuscript and its Supporting Information files.

AbbreviationsIMUsInertial measurement unitsGNSSGlobal navigational satellite systems LPS Local positioning systemHARHuman activity recognitionGRFsGround reaction forcesGCTsGround contact times