Test-Retest Reliability of the StepLab IMU-Based Wearable Device for Spatiotemporal Gait Analysis in Healthy Young Adults

Background Wearable gait analysis devices are increasingly used in clinical practice to evaluate spatiotemporal gait parameters. StepLab is one such device; however, research on its reliability for gait analysis remains limited. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the test–retest reliability of spatiotemporal gait parameters measured using the StepLab IMU-based wearable device in healthy young adults. Study design Cross-sectional study Methods Forty healthy participants (20 females and 20 males; mean age 21.7±3.44 years) completed three 10-meter walk trials at a comfortable, self-selected pace. The same protocol was repeated one week later to assess measurement consistency. Gait parameters, including gait speed, swing duration, stance duration, cycle time, cadence, stride length, and step length, were analyzed. Test–retest reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 3,2). Bland–Altman analysis and standard error of measurement (SEM) were additionally calculated. Results All spatiotemporal gait parameters demonstrated good to excellent test–retest reliability, with ICC values ranging from 0.84 to 0.99 and small SEM estimates across variables. Bland–Altman analysis revealed minimal mean differences and narrow limits of agreement, indicating high measurement consistency between sessions. Conclusions The StepLab device demonstrated good to excellent test–retest reliability for spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy young adults under controlled indoor conditions. However, caution is warranted when interpreting these findings due to the homogeneous sample and the short 10-meter walking distance. Future studies should examine reliability in clinical and elderly populations, assess longer walking tasks, and validate StepLab against gold-standard gait analysis systems before broader clinical application.