🧭Detailed Metrics Explanation

In this section, you'll find detailed definitions of the key performance metrics used by AiKYNETIX. These metrics provide quantitative insights into your performance across different activities—Running, Jumping, and Weightlifting—allowing you to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and optimize your training.

Running Metrics

Speed

Definition: Speed is measured in meters (or feet) per second. It reflects how fast you are moving during your run.

Incline / Elevation Gain

Definition: Elevation gain represents the percentage change in your vertical position, measured in meters (or feet). It indicates how much you are climbing during a run.

Ground Contact Time (GCT)

Definition: Ground Contact Time is the duration (in seconds) that your foot remains in contact with the ground during each step cycle. Shorter GCT typically indicates a more efficient, faster stride.

Flight Time

Definition: Flight time measures the duration during which both feet are off the ground. As you reach your top speed, flight time tends to decrease.

Cadence

Definition: Cadence is the number of steps per minute (spm), also known as step rate or frequency. A cadence above 150 spm is generally considered optimal for efficiency.

Mechanical Running Power (W)

Definition: Mechanical running power quantifies the power generated by muscles and tendons during running. It is lower than metabolic power due to muscle and tendon efficiency limitations. This metric helps tailor pacing strategies and monitor training intensity.

Contact Angle

Definition: Ground Contact Angle is formed between a line from your center of mass to the point of ground contact and the horizontal. An angle close to 90° is ideal for optimal force application and energy efficiency.

Foot Strike

Definition: Foot strike describes the manner in which your foot makes contact with the ground (heel, midfoot, or forefoot). Understanding your foot strike can inform shoe selection, gait adjustments, and injury prevention strategies.

Pace

Definition: Pace is expressed as the time it takes to cover a specified distance (e.g., minutes per kilometer or mile). It is a direct measure of running efficiency.

Balance

Definition: Balance refers to the symmetry in ground contact time between the right and left sides. A balanced GCT within the 48–52% range ensures even force distribution and reduces injury risk.

Normalized Power

Definition: Normalized Power measures the mechanical energy used to move 1 kg of body weight 1 meter in the direction of running. It is expressed in J/(kg·m) or W/(kg·m/s) and indicates running efficiency—the lower the value, the more efficient the performance.

Stride Length

Definition: Stride Length is the average distance covered in a single stride (from the initial contact of one foot to the next contact of the same foot). It directly affects running efficiency and energy usage.

Joint Angles

Definition: Joint angles refer to the degree of bend at various body joints during running. Two key metrics include:

• Takeoff Knee Extension (°): The knee angle at the moment your foot leaves the ground; a lower angle is often associated with better performance.

• Takedown Eversion Velocity (°/s): The speed at which the rear foot moves during ground contact; values closer to zero are preferred.

Timing of Peak Dorsiflexion (%)

Definition: This metric indicates the percentage of the stance phase spent in dorsiflexion. A longer dorsiflexion phase in beginner runners can facilitate elastic energy storage for more efficient movement.

Stride Angle (°)

Definition: Stride angle is the angle between the tangent of the foot's theoretical arc during a stride and the ground. A higher stride angle can contribute to improved performance.

FPS

Definition: FPS is the video frame rate (frames per second) captured in the AiKYNETIX App, which impacts the precision of the metric calculations.

Jumping Metrics

Ground Reaction Force (GRF)

Definition: GRF is the total force exerted on the ground during a jump, measured in Newtons (N). It reflects the combined forces of vertical and horizontal propulsion.

Braking (Eccentric) Phase

Definition: This metric monitors the rate at which muscles stretch before a jump, preparing for the explosive concentric action.

Reactive Strength Index (RSI)

Definition: RSI measures the ability to quickly transition from the braking to the push-off phase. It is calculated by dividing jump height by ground contact time.

Push-Off

Definition: Push-Off evaluates the speed and strength of the muscle contraction that propels you upward during a jump.

Contraction Time

Definition: This is the total time taken by the muscles to stretch and then contract during a jump, indicating overall explosive strength.

Flight Time

Definition: Flight time measures the duration you are airborne during a jump, which directly influences jump height.

COM Velocity at Takeoff

Definition: This metric quantifies how quickly your center of mass (COM) moves at the moment of takeoff, contributing to jump height and distance.

Jump Height

Definition: Jump height is the vertical distance achieved during the jump. It is a primary indicator of lower-body explosive power.

Maximum GRF at Takeoff

Definition: This is the peak force exerted against the ground at the moment of takeoff, reflecting the explosive power of your jump.

Maximum GRF at Landing

Definition: This metric captures the peak force absorbed during landing, which is crucial for assessing impact and potential injury risk.

Peak Power

Definition: Peak Power measures the maximum power output during the jump, indicating overall athletic performance.

Normalized Power

Definition: Normalized Power adjusts the power output relative to effort variations, providing a consistent measure of energy efficiency during jumps.

Knee Angle at End of Eccentric Phase

Definition: This metric records the knee flexion angle just before you initiate the jump, which is critical for maximizing force production while minimizing joint stress.

Weightlifting Metrics

Max Bar Speed

Definition: Max Bar Speed indicates the highest speed reached by the barbell during a lift, reflecting explosive strength and movement efficiency.

Max Ground Reaction Force (GRF)

Definition: Max GRF is the peak force exerted against the ground during a lift. This metric is key for assessing stability and the effective application of force.

Max Power

Definition: Max Power measures the highest power output during the lift. It combines speed and strength to provide a comprehensive performance indicator.

Total Time

Definition: Total Time captures the complete duration of the lift, from start to finish, helping assess the overall efficiency of the movement.

Bar Past the Knee Acceleration

Definition: This metric measures the acceleration of the barbell as it passes the knees. It is an indicator of how quickly the athlete can increase bar speed in the initial phase of the lift.

Bar Past the Knee Speed

Definition: Bar Past the Knee Speed reflects the velocity of the barbell as it passes the knees, offering insights into the effectiveness of the initial pull.

Catch Time

Definition: Catch Time is the duration between the barbell reaching its highest point and the athlete securing it in the bottom position. This metric is important for evaluating the athlete's technique and timing.

Mobility Assessment

Squat Depth

Definition: Squat depth is determined by knee angle and hip displacement. Quality reps reach parallel (~85° knee angle) or deep (≥110°) without compromising form.

Hip Range of Motion

Definition: The total amount of hip flexion achieved during the squat. Strong, mobile athletes typically reach 100–140° of hip flexion.

Trunk Angle

Definition: The angle between the torso and a vertical reference line. Efficient movement maintains ≤20° forward lean, supporting spinal alignment and control.

Knee Symmetry

Definition: Alignment between the knees and toes during movement. Healthy mechanics limit inward or outward deviation to ≤6°, promoting balanced loading.

Pelvic Tilt (Butt Wink)

Definition: The degree of posterior pelvic rotation at the bottom of the squat. Controlled form keeps tilt within ≤10° relative to standing posture.

Hip Symmetry

Definition: The difference in hip and knee angles between the left and right sides. Well-balanced movement maintains asymmetry ≤6°.

Descent Time

Definition: The duration of the lowering (eccentric) phase of the squat. Controlled technique typically lasts 1–3 seconds.

Ascent Time

Definition: The duration of the upward (concentric) phase. Efficient lifters ascend in equal or slightly shorter time compared to the descent.

Tempo Consistency

Definition: The variability in timing across repetitions. Stable squat tempo varies less than 15% between reps.

Velocity Profile

Definition: The pattern of hip velocity throughout the squat. Smooth, steady curves without sudden spikes reflect efficient movement.

Movement Smoothness (Jerk)

Definition: The rate of change of acceleration—an indicator of control. Lower jerk values represent smoother, more efficient motion.

Rep Completeness

Definition: Whether the repetition achieves both full depth (≥90°) and a complete return to upright posture.

Depth Consistency

Definition: Variation in squat depth across repetitions. High-quality sets keep depth variability below 10–15%.

Symmetry Consistency

Definition: Stability of left–right movement symmetry throughout the set. Good technique maintains consistent symmetry with minimal drift.

Walking

Speed

Definition: Speed reflects the rate at which you move across the ground, expressed in km/h or mph. Most people walk comfortably at 4–6 km/h (2.5–3.7 mph), with brisk fitness walking reaching 6–7.5 km/h (3.7–4.7 mph). Speed is a key indicator of walking intensity and effort.

Incline

Definition: Incline represents the gradient of the walking surface, calculated as a percentage. Even small slopes (2–3%) noticeably increase muscular demand. Uphill walking increases glute and calf activation while downhill walking raises braking forces and contact time.

Contact Time

Definition: Contact time is the duration your foot stays in contact with the ground during each step. Walking naturally has longer contact times (450–700 ms). Higher values often reflect slower pace, fatigue, or reduced step frequency.

Flight Time

Definition: Flight time measures how long both feet are simultaneously off the ground. Normal walking has ~0 ms flight time. If flight time is present, it indicates a transition toward jogging or vigorous power-walking mechanics.

Cadence

Definition: Cadence is the number of steps taken per minute (spm). Typical walking cadence ranges from <90 spm (slow) to >115 spm (brisk). Higher cadence improves walking efficiency by reducing ground contact time and minimizing overstriding.

Power

Definition: Mechanical power reflects the work your body performs per unit time. Power increases with speed, incline, and pace. It helps quantify effort across varying terrains and sessions.

Contact Angle

Definition: Contact angle is the angle between your center of mass and the foot at ground contact. Efficient walkers typically show angles between 75° and 85°. Lower angles may indicate flat foot placement, while higher angles may reflect overstriding.

Foot Strike

Definition: Foot strike describes how the foot contacts the ground—heel, midfoot, or forefoot. Heel strike is most common in walking; midfoot appears in brisk walking; forefoot walking can overload the calves and Achilles tendon.

Ground Reaction Force (GRF)

Definition: GRF measures the force produced when the foot hits the ground, expressed in multiples of body weight. Typical walking values are 1.1–1.5× body weight. Elevated GRF may signal strong braking forces or asymmetry.

Pace

Definition: Pace is the time required to cover one kilometer or mile. It is inversely related to speed and is commonly used to structure walking workouts, from easy walks to fast interval sessions.

Balance

Definition: Balance reflects how evenly ground contact time is distributed between the left and right legs. A balanced pattern lies within 48–52%. Persistent asymmetry may indicate strength imbalances or compensatory movement patterns.

Stride Length

Definition: Stride length is the horizontal distance covered between two consecutive steps of the same foot. Typical walking stride lengths are 0.5–0.8 m; brisk walking may exceed 0.8 m. Healthy stride length increases naturally with speed.

Normalized Power

Definition: Normalized power expresses the mechanical energy required to move 1 kg of body mass 1 meter. Lower values reflect more economical walking mechanics with reduced braking and smoother movement.

Stride Time

Definition: Stride time is the interval between consecutive contacts of the same foot. It ranges from ~520–670 ms depending on cadence. Longer stride times indicate slower pace; shorter stride times reflect brisk walking.

Training Frequency

Definition: The number of walking sessions performed within a specific time period (weekly, monthly, etc.). Useful for tracking consistency and planning progression.

Distance

Definition: The total distance covered per session or over a training period. Distance helps quantify overall training load.

Eversion Velocity

Definition: Eversion velocity measures the outward rotation speed of the foot during stance. Excessive values may indicate pronation issues or reduced foot stability.

Center of Mass (CoM)

Definition: CoM refers to the average location of your body mass during movement. Efficient walking minimizes unnecessary vertical motion, preserving energy and reducing impact.

Knee Flexion

Definition: Knee flexion represents the degree of bend at the knee during stance. Walking requires moderate knee flexion; extremely low or high values may signal stiffness, weakness, or compensatory mechanics.

CoM Oscillation

Definition: CoM oscillation is the vertical displacement of the center of mass per step. Walking has low oscillation; excessive bounce reduces efficiency.

Posture Angle

Definition: Posture angle measures torso lean relative to vertical. Optimal walking posture includes a slight forward lean. Excessive forward or backward lean may increase strain on the lower back.

Shank Angle at Initial Contact

Definition: The angle of the lower leg relative to vertical when the foot first touches the ground. A slight forward shank angle is efficient; too much forward lean may indicate overstriding.

Upper Trunk ROM

Definition: Upper trunk range of motion reflects forward and backward thoracic movement during walking. Small, controlled ROM is efficient; excessive trunk movement reduces economy.

Lower Trunk ROM

Definition: Lumbar range of motion during the gait cycle. Moderate ROM assists shock absorption; excessive ROM may reflect instability, while very low ROM may indicate stiffness.

Pelvis Speed (Horizontal)

Definition: Minimum horizontal pelvis velocity during stance. Higher values reflect brisk walking. Extremely low values may signal braking or low push-off power.

Pelvis Oscillation (Vertical)

Definition: Vertical displacement of the pelvis per step. Efficient walkers maintain smooth, low-amplitude oscillation for reduced energy cost.

Workspace Wellness

Subject Standing Height (mm)

Definition: The person’s full standing height, used to scale all ergonomic measurements. Accurate height input ensures correct interpretation of posture angles and distances.

Camera Distance from Subject (mm)

Definition: The horizontal distance between the camera and the user. This value is used to correct perspective distortion and ensure accurate 3D posture reconstruction.

Camera Height from Floor (mm)

Definition: The vertical height of the camera above the ground. Together with camera distance, it determines the viewing angle and contributes to measurement accuracy.

Desk-Top Height (mm)

Definition: The height of the desk surface from the floor. This measurement influences elbow posture, wrist angles, and shoulder loading during computer work.

Top-of-Screen Height (mm)

Definition: The height of the top edge of the monitor relative to the floor. It helps evaluate screen–eye alignment and potential neck strain.

Elbow Angle (°)

Definition: The angle formed between the upper arm and forearm. A neutral ergonomic position is 90–100°, which minimizes shoulder elevation and forearm muscle tension.

Cranio-Vertebral Angle (CVA, °)

Definition: The angle between the ear, C7 vertebra, and a horizontal reference line. Higher values (55–90°) indicate upright head posture; lower values reflect forward head posture and increased cervical strain.

Wrist Dorsiflexion (°)

Definition: The upward bending of the wrist. Optimal typing posture keeps wrist extension between 0–10°. Values above 25° increase tendon loading and carpal tunnel pressure.

Wrist Ulnar Deviation (°)

Definition: The sideways bending of the wrist toward the little finger. Neutral position is 0–5°. Angles >15° elevate tendon strain and may contribute to discomfort during typing.

Thoracic Kyphosis (°)

Definition: The curvature of the upper back, measured using key spine landmarks. In sitting, 145–160° reflects a neutral kyphotic curve. Larger angles indicate a straighter thoracic spine; smaller angles represent increased rounding.

Lumbar Lordosis (°)

Definition: The curvature of the lower back. Optimal sitting values (145–155°) indicate a neutral lumbar curve. Reduced angles reflect slouching; higher angles may show excessive arching.

Pelvic Tilt (°)

Definition: The angular orientation of the pelvis. A neutral seated pelvis typically ranges from 110–130°. Deviations affect spine alignment and sitting comfort.

Desk–Elbow Delta (mm)

Definition: The vertical distance between the desk surface and the user’s elbow height. Optimal ergonomic setup keeps the desk 0–20 mm below elbow height to maintain relaxed shoulders.

Screen–Eye Delta (mm)

Definition: The height difference between the top of the screen and the user’s eye level. Ideal alignment places the screen 0–20 mm below eye height, creating a natural downward gaze that minimizes neck strain.