Category: Technology

biochemistry, real-time, Sports Science, Technology

Implantable electronics and possible application in sports science

I have a keen interest in new technologies able to help us understand more about how the human body copes with various training methodologies. In  fact, I believe that in order to improve the quality of our training prescriptions we need to base them on data and be able to provide an evidence-based approach to athletic training. We have now access to sophisticated tools capable of measuring a lot of aspects of human performance, mainly related to the output of movement (e.g. power output, force, velocity). Portable and field biochemistry technology has improved massively, but still, a part from blood lactate, glucose and few other biomarkers, we are quite limited in the ability to measure a wide variety of biomarkers in-vivo.

I have recently read a very interesting article on Technology Review published by the MIT (I suggest everyone to read this interesting online magazine every once in a while). The article was about dissolvable devices for medical applications. Something which is likely to look like this in the future:

(From Technology Reviews MIT: Credit: Bryan Christie Design)

Tufts University biomedical engineer Dr. Fiorenzo Omenetto is using silk as the basis for implantable optical and electronic devices capable of measuring vital signs and blood biochemistry in real time in a continuous manner. This implantable electronics are based on silk which is a biodegradable material and it is capable of carrying light like optical glass. Silk can also serve as a mechanical support for arrays of electrically active devices, allowing them to be placed on biological tissues without causing irritation. Depending on how it’s processed, silk can be made to break down inside the body almost instantly or to persist for years. And it can be used to store enzymes for a long time.

Dr. Omenetto’s group has published numerous scientific papers of this technique and they have also completed studies using animal model. In the next picture you can see an example of an implantable device used in an animal model (from Applied Physics Letters, 2009).

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The following image is an example of how this silk implant is capable of being used as an optics device (from Nature Photonics, 2008).

 

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Furthermore, experiments conducted applying the technique to feline brains has shown how sensitive the electrodes are and what are the possibilities of applying such techniques on living tissues (image below from Nature Materials, DOI 10:1038).image 

This technique offers incredible opportunities for medical applications, however we should not underestimate the power of using such devices to improve our understanding of human performance. I can see that in the near future we will be finally able to measure in real time how our body responds to a variety of exercise paradigms as well as nutritional interventions improving our understanding of human biology and giving us a better chance to prescribe exercise programmes.

 

acceleration, software, squat, Strength testing, Strength Training, Technology, testing

iPhone application for strength testing and training

I have just received a link to a new promising application developed for iPhone/iPod touch capable of using the accelerometer housed in the smartphone to be able applied to barbells for strength testing and for monitoring strength training.

The application is called LIZA and is available here.

It seems clear from the screenshots that it is possible to record the power/load relationship and calculate also velocity of the barbell:

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And it seems to also offer the ability to compare tests performed at different times:

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After testing is also capable of identifying maximum power and the load corresponding to maximum power output:

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A lot more info are also available in real time and as summary feedback to be stored and to be sent via email.

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A video of how it works is available here.

It seems a very promising tool for personal trainers as well as for Strength and Conditioning coaches. At the moment there is no information available on the validity and reliability of the power calculations and on the accuracy of the using the accelerometer housed in the iPhone/iTouch. I am sure soon we will see some validation papers on this tool considering the fact that the University of Udine is involved in its development. Also, 1RM is estimated from the load/velocity relationship.

Liza offers also a lite version. According to the website, the lite version allows to perform the half squat test, to view the resulting data and send them via email or twitter just like the standard version; it is not possible to get any graphic representation nor save any data. The lite version displays some advertising banners.

I don’t use iPhone/iTouch, so I suggest the readers to download this application and decide for themselves if it is something worth having. Considering the cost and the fact that you don’t need any extra device, I suggest this is something worthwhile trying for any professional interested in measuring the outcome of strength training programmes.

 

Internet, Sports Science, Technology, weight management

Withings Body Scale review

I have been recently trialling an interesting new device: a Wi-fi scale. Absolutely brilliant concept: a scale which can transmit data via wireless connection to a server and have data available online via a web application or an iphone application.

After contacting the producer, I received the parcel and have been using the scale for a week and I am very pleased with it. Here is how it looks:

 

withingsIt has a very nice design with a durable tempered glass slab and a large backlit graphic screen. It is battery powered and very easy to use as it automatically turns on when you stand on it and it turns off within few seconds of inactivity.

It arrived in a nice small package of a total weight of 2.5 kg!

Setting it up

The scale comes with a manual in many languages, batteries and a USB cable to connect it to a PC for the initial setup. The initial setup requires downloading a software to set the scale up in your home or work network in order to be able to send the data to the web server. The process is simple, however my scale took few trials to be recognised as it filed to be connected to my home wi-fi. However after updating the firmware it all worked nicely, scale recognised and ready to go.

There is a very useful forum on the website of the company with a lot of up to date hints to solve every possible problem. Also, looking at the frequency of posts on the forum it seems that the support is quite efficient.

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Specs

All the specifications are indicated here, however the most important ones are:

– The ability to decide the unit of measurement

– The possibility to have body composition and BMI analysis

– Personalised multi-user monitoring

– Software for data sharing and analysis

Graduation 0.1 kg and maximum weight 180 kg

 

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Body Composition Measurements

The website does not specify how body composition is measured (in terms of what equations, how accurate and how valid such measurements are). I assume it is through bioelectrical impedance analysis. However it would be useful to have such data as accuracy of such measurements is crucial for its use in an athletic population. Also, I believe the normative data included in the software refer to the general population hence having very heavy muscular athletes might result in some high scores in BMI.

Software

The software is very simple, user friendly and is also available as an iphone application. The screens are user friendly and you can manually input data as well as add comments and delete data. It is very useful to track how your body mass is changing and keep records (sadly it informs you that it is about time you start dieting and exercise more!)

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The software allows you to share the information and/or to print /save reports

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Support, news and other useful stuff

Withings has a very useful Blog which is an incredible source of update for accessory software needs and anything specific to the Withings scale. They have recently developed a widget for Mac users, included their platform within GYMTECHNIK, and most of all, connected the scale to Microsoft Health Vault (Very interesting product of which I promise to write something about very soon).

The scale unfortunately supports only up to 8 users, which means is perfect for a family, but a bit challenging if you are a professional working within the fitness industry with many clients and/or with elite athletes and squads. However I am sure that some customised hardware and software solutions will be available soon for such demands.

Verdict

All in all a great tool with a lot of potential to be used with athletes travelling on training camps and facilitate the storage and recording of data where there is a wi-fi connection. Absolutely a great tool for a family as it allows to track everyone’s body weight very efficiently. More information on its accuracy and on the validity and reliability of the body fat measurements is warranted before recommending it to a group of elite athletes.