{"id":18109,"date":"2021-02-08T16:57:40","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T15:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cosinuss.com\/?p=18109"},"modified":"2023-10-17T13:23:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T11:23:35","slug":"measurement-of-vital-acceleration-parameters-during-swimming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cosinuss.com\/en\/2021\/02\/08\/measurement-of-vital-acceleration-parameters-during-swimming\/","title":{"rendered":"Measurement of vital & acceleration parameters during swimming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Master thesis by Ralph Heim, medical engineer
\n“Concept and prototype development of a sensor system for the evaluation of swimming specific vital and acceleration parameters”.
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Measuring performance-specific parameters and vital data with modern wearables during running and cycling is now commonplace even among amateur athletes. However, there has been little technological progress in swimming. The analog watch at the poolside is still considered the measuring instrument of choice. Records of swimming-specific performance parameters, such as the push-off speed after the turn, do not take place in daily training.
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For this reason, the goal of my master’s thesis was to adapt the fitness and vital signs tracker cosinuss\u00b0 One<\/a> and Two, respectively, so that it can be used in the water to investigate which swimming-specific parameters can be recorded. Initial adaptations of the cosinuss\u00b0 measurement system were used to develop a prototype and a suitable concept for recording not only heart rate and body temperature but also corresponding acceleration data during swimming. On the one hand, the system was to meet requirements from a sports science perspective. On the other hand, it was to serve as an illustration of applied teaching content for teaching staff and students in science classes as part of the STEM on the Move project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

cosinuss\u00b0 measurement technology<\/h2><\/div>

The technology<\/a> used by cosinuss\u00b0 offers fundamental advantages for use while swimming. First of all, a measurement well protected from water can take place in the ear. Furthermore, swimming-specific acceleration measurements are theoretically possible thanks to the accelerometer already integrated. An internal data memory in the sensor also allows subsequent analysis of the data, so that Bluetooth connection interruptions in the water do not cause any problems. In addition, the system offers the potential for more efficient and automatic student swimmer and athlete monitoring: a coach can supervise several swimmers simultaneously and then analyze the recorded data.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Adaptation and used technique of the \u00b0Two and \u00b0One sensors<\/h2><\/div>

In the master thesis, different concepts or variants and prototypes were developed and tested.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Water resistance<\/h3><\/div>

The application of the in-ear sensor in water requires water resistance. To ensure this, various methods of sealing were tested (see Fig. 1).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"Sealing<\/span><\/div>

Fig. 1: Sealing methods of prototypes by casting resin: a) Coating of hardware based on polyurethane (applied with brush) b) Complete potting based on polyurethane c) Complete potting based on silicone + hollow glass microspheres.
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\"cosinuss\u00b0<\/span><\/div>

Fig. 2: Underwater test. The sensors were submerged for two hours.
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Water shield<\/h3><\/div>

Different positioning and sealing systems were tested to reduce and investigate the influence of water on vital sign measurements:<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Illustration<\/span><\/div>

Fig. 3: Overview of all positioning\/sealing systems.
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Accelerometer<\/h3><\/div>

The 3D accelerometer already integrated in the in-ear sensor was used to measure the following swimming-specific parameters:<\/p>\n