| DCU researchers work on futuristic health equipment |
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| Thursday, 02 October 2008 | |
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RESEARCHERS at DCU are working on a new prototype health monitoring system which could save the lives of soldiers, help tackle obesity and change the way sport is played. The wearable sensor system has already been tested on top athletes and referees who oversaw the All-Ireland semi-finals. The monitors, which are embedded in a vest, can record heart rate, body temperature, breathing rate and movement. Professor Moyna, head of the School of Health and Human Performance at DCU, explained what the data taken from the sensors could be used for. “Paddy Russell who refereed the Wexford-Armagh matches wore the sensors and the information we gathered is really quite interesting,” he told Northside People. “He spent most of his time walking and less than one per cent of his time sprinting. “With that information and the activity pattern we can design a more suitable training programme to suit what is actually required of referees on the field.” According to Professor Moyna, the possible uses for the prototype are endless. “The sensors are being developed to monitor sweat which can allow the user to increase or reduce their hydration,” he explained. “Also, if coaches can monitor their player’s health and fitness throughout games, it will allow them to make tactical substitutions. “In general terms, this monitoring system can have a huge positive impact on people’s lives and the data gathered will be used to estimate the number of calories that an individual burns which in turn can be used to tackle the epidemic of obesity.” The work on the sensor prototype forms part of a research programme called ‘CLARITY’ which is mainly funded by Science Foundation Ireland. A number of different experts in fields such as computer science, physiology and chemistry in DCU and UCD are collaborating on the exciting project Professor Moyna has high hopes for the “unobtrusive” sensor system. “The sensors in the vests are suitable for men and a sensored sports bra is for women,” he explained. “I really believe sensors will be embedded in sport attire garments in the not too distant future, maybe in 10 to 15 years or so.” The vest which is currently being used was initially designed by Foster Miller for the American Department of Defence for use in reconnaissance missions for injured soldiers. “With Global Positioning System (GPS), each soldier could be tracked and their vital signs monitored,” Professor Moyna said. “That would become particularly important if a soldier was injured.” Intellectual property will be generated from the series of research projects undertaken by the CLARITY programme. Professor Moyna revealed that a further step would now be taken in the testing of the system. “We have only been using it on non-contact sports- people but now we hope to slowly introduce it to more contact sports starting from hockey and from then on the world’s our oyster,” he concluded. |
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Developed by Kevin Flynn