Wearable embroidered muscle activity sensing device for the human upper leg

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Sports Medicine
• Wearable Technology

Background:

• Running is a popular activity with numerous benefits but carries a risk of lower extremity injuries.
• Traditional electromyography (EMG) for studying running-related injuries (RRIs) is complex and lab-bound, hindering outdoor research.
• A need exists for accessible technology to study RRIs in natural running environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, minimally invasive wearable muscle sensing device for outdoor running analysis.
• To evaluate the feasibility of using embroidered surface EMG (sEMG) electrodes in jogging leggings.
• To investigate the impact of different running surfaces on muscle fatigue as a potential RRI precursor.

Main Methods:

• Development of a wearable device with integrated surface EMG (sEMG) electrodes in jogging leggings.
• Proof-of-concept study involving two runners completing 5 km trials on various surfaces.
• Analysis of quadriceps muscle activity data to assess muscle fatigue.

Main Results:

• The wearable sEMG device successfully recorded muscle activity data during outdoor running.
• Muscle fatigue patterns were discernible from the collected sEMG data.
• Preliminary findings indicate that running on soft surfaces, like sand, may elevate the risk of RRIs.

Conclusions:

• Wearable sEMG technology integrated into apparel is a viable tool for studying muscle fatigue in runners.
• Running surface characteristics significantly influence muscle fatigue, potentially contributing to RRIs.
• This technology offers a pathway to better understand and mitigate running-related injuries in real-world settings.