A portable physiological data recording/decoding system

Counting the number of heart beats and footsteps during successive minute periods permits assessment of the physical condition of a subject undertaking planned exercise. We describe the design, and assess the use, of a small, 4 channel, solid state recorder for storing these physiological signals and the rapid retrieval of this data using a portable decoder. The actual number of heart beats and footsteps are counted and stored after each successive minute period. One channel is used to code sequentially the subjects under test, and a further channel is used for event marking. Data are retrieved by linking the recorder to the decoder; entering the required subject's code onto a numeric key board initiates the presentation of data. A LED display and paper print-out provide visual and permanent records.