New wireless device project open novel ways of measuring oxygen use in muscle

Scientists at the University of Essex are working with elite athletes to design a cutting edge device which will help Britain's medal quest in the build-up to the 2012 Olympics.

The team, from the Department of Biological Sciences, is developing novel ways of measuring oxygen use in muscle, enabling athletes to optimize their training schedules and racing strategies. Initial design and testing will involve working closely with triathletes and their coaches, through Dave Parry, the University's elite triathlon coach.

The aim is to design a non-invasive, lightweight, portable device that can be worn comfortably in training and feed information wirelessly in real time to the coach. This will allow optimal targeting of training sessions in the field.

Professor Chris Cooper, Professor Ralph Beneke and Dr Caroline Angus of the University’s Medical Optics Group (MOG) have been given £28,571 to use a technique called Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to shine light on the muscle to see how much oxygen is present.

Professor Cooper explained: 'Exercise uses up oxygen and therefore how much oxygen is in the muscle is a measure of whether the oxygen being delivered is keeping up with its consumption.

The key to the project is to take this data from the scientists to the coaches so they can use it to help optimize the way athletes warm up, or to design pacing strategies telling athletes when it’s the right time for them to speed up or conserve energy during a race.'

The project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in collaboration with UK Sport. It is one of a number of projects developing cutting-edge technologies to assist our athletes in achieving gold at the 2012 Olympics.

A key component of the work is its multidisciplinary nature. The equipment will be designed by physicists, engineers and computer scientists at University College London (UCL) and tested and optimised by biochemists, physiologists and sports scientists at Essex.

The team aims to have a working prototype in trials by spring 2008.

For more information, contact Jenny Grinter in the University's Communications Office on 01206 872400. For details of the Essex Medical Optics Group, see: www.essex.ac.uk/bs/mog

Source: University of Essex