Measurements of Wearable Noninvasive Transducers for Sport Performance Improvement

Abstract

This paper aims to study wearable noninvasive transducers for monitoring and improving sports performance. Inertial sensors are widely used to obtain physiological and performance data during sporting activity in order to optimize training and recovery but also to reduce human error in competition. In this context several solutions have been proposed in literature regarding neuromuscular stimulations, transcutaneous excitations, and functional signals, very often based on invasive approaches. The device here studied is a non-invasive solution composed of two portable systems (i.e. to be fixed in both the limbs), with an electromechanical actuator and a wireless circuit to synchronize the two systems. The analyses conducted arouse interest from a neurological point of view in the perspective to study the effect of various stimulations for muscle performance improvement in athletes. For these reasons, the paper deals with the aspects of the stimulation used for sport training evaluation including performance defects and functional purposes. The study regarded different parameters including frequency, pulse width, pulse duration, waveforms, intensity, amplitude and pulse pattern. The experimental method and the signals related to induced stimulations will be here presented. All the collected data have been crucial to submit a specific multidisciplinary study to the ethics committee that must approve the related clinical study.