Heart Rate Intensity Research Articles

Evaluating physical outcomes in elderly sport and dance rollator users

The present single-arm pilot study investigates the effects of a video-based dance intervention on physical outcomes in elderly individuals utilizing sports and dance rollators. In addition, the dance videos used in the current study are intended to integrate into the future Intercommunication Technology (ICT)-Rollator for the elderly. The aim is to evaluate the physical outcomes (such as gait, balance, mobility, and hand grip strength) during guided movement training (dance) using a video projected in a laboratory setting. The pilot study involved six elderly rollator users (aged 85 and above). In the initial assessment, subjects were screened for mobility and coordination limitations prior to pre-testing using a four-square-step test and the SF-36 questionnaire. Both pre-testing and post-testing included assessments of mobility, balance, and spatiotemporal gait parameters using the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Optogait system, respectively. Hand grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer and reaction time was measured using a pipe-drop test. Blood pressure was monitored every 15 minutes during the training sessions to prevent adverse events, maintaining an upper range of 140-150/90-96. Adherence rates were measured based on the total duration of activity, calories burned per session, and dropout rates. Post-session questionnaires were administered to verify the respondents' qualitative evaluations of their degrees of exhaustion, enjoyment, impediments, facilitators, and suggested changes. The intervention included heart rate monitoring, which revealed gradual and slight increases in heart rate intensity and gradual decreases in heart rate ranges (HRR) during the dance sessions. The results indicate improvements in balance, mobility, gait, and adherence rates. Future longitudinal research will further examine the effectiveness of the dance intervention using the ICT-Rollator, comparing it to a control group using a conventional rollator. The ICT-Rollator could be a unique rehabilitation aid for the elderly, offering promising improvements.

Training for Elite Team-Pursuit Track Cyclists-Part I: A Profile of General Training Characteristics.

To profile the training characteristics of an elite team pursuit cycling squad and assess variations in training intensity and load accumulation across the 36-week period prior to a world-record performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Training data of 5 male track endurance cyclists (mean [SD]; age 21.9 [3.52]y; 4.4 [0.16]W·kg-1 at anaerobic threshold; 6.2 [0.28]W·kg-1 maximal oxygen uptake 68.7 [2.99]mL kg·min-1) were analyzed with weekly total training volume and heart rate, power output, and torque intensity distributions calculated with reference to their 3:49.804min:s.ms performance requirements for a 4-km team pursuit. Athletes completed 543 (37)h-1 of training across 436 (16) sessions. On-bike activities accounted for 69.9% of all training sessions, with participants cycling 11,246 (1139)km-1 in the training period of interest, whereas 12.7% of sessions involved gym/strength training. A pyramidal intensity distribution was evident with over 65% and 70% of training, respectively, performed at low-intensity zone heart rate and power output, whereas 5.3% and 7.7% of training was performed above anaerobic threshold. The athletes accumulated 4.4% of total training volume at, or above, their world-record team pursuit lead position torque (55N·m). These data provide updated and novel insight to the power and torque demands and load accumulation contributing to world-record team pursuit performance. Although the observed pyramidal intensity distribution is common in endurance sports, the lack of shift toward a polarized intensity distribution during taper and competition peaking differs from previous research.

Training for Elite Team-Pursuit Track Cyclists-Part II: A Comparison of Preparation Phases in Consecutive World-Record-Breaking Seasons.

To compare the training characteristics of an elite team pursuit cycling squad in the 3-month preparation phases prior to 2 successive world-record (WR) performances. Training data of 5 male track endurance cyclists (mean [SD]; age 23.4 [3.46]y; body mass 80.2 [2.74]kg; 4.5 [0.17]W·kg-1 at LT2; maximal aerobic power6.2 [0.27]W·kg-1; maximal oxygen uptake 65.9 [2.89]mL·kg-1·min-1) were analyzed with weekly total training volume by training type and heart rate, power output, and torque intensity distributions calculated with reference to the respective WRs' performance requirements. Athletes completed 805 (82.81) and 725 (68.40)min·wk-1 of training, respectively, in each season. In the second season, there was a 32% increase in total track volume, although track sessions were shorter (ie,greater frequency) in the second season. A pyramidal intensity distribution was consistent across both seasons, with 81% of training, on average, performed below LT1 power output each week, whereas 6% of training was performed above LT2. Athletes accumulated greater volume above WR team pursuit lead power (2.4% vs 0.9%) and torque (6.2% vs 3.2%) in 2019. In one athlete, mean single-leg-press peak rate of force development was 71% and 46% higher at mid- and late-phases, respectively, during the preparation period. These findings provide novel insights into the common and contrasting methods contributing to successive WR team pursuit performances. Greater accumulation of volume above race-specific power and torque (eg,team pursuit lead), as well as improved neuromuscular force-generating capacities, may be worthy of investigation for implementation in training programs.

Effects of Acute Citrulline Malate Supplementation on CrossFit® Exercise Performance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study.

Given the increasing popularity of CrossFit® as a high-intensity functional training program and the potential benefits of citrulline malate (CM) in enhancing exercise performance through its role as a precursor to L-arginine and nitric oxide production, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of CM supplementation on CrossFit® performance and cardiovascular function. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, 21 recreationally active participants (mean age 22.2 ± 2.6 years, mean body weight 75.9 ± 10.4 kg) with CrossFit® experience completed the "Cindy" workout under CM and placebo conditions. Participants consumed 4.4 g of CM or a placebo 60 min before the workout, and the performance was measured by the number of rounds completed. Secondary outcomes included heart rate response, time spent in different heart rate intensity zones, and post-exercise recovery time. The results indicated no significant difference in the number of rounds completed between the CM and placebo conditions (13.5 ± 5.2 vs. 13.8 ± 6.7 rounds, respectively; p = 0.587). However, the time spent in zone 4 (80-90% of HR max) was significantly increased in the CM condition (527 ± 395 s vs. 453 ± 334 s; p = 0.017), suggesting a potential benefit for aerobic capacity and anaerobic threshold. No significant differences in post-exercise recovery time were observed (6.6 ± 4.7 h vs. 6.9 ± 4.7 h; p = 0.475). This study highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes, both genders, and different CM dosages to clarify these findings and better understand CM's role in enhancing athletic performance.

Feedback control of heart rate during robotics-assisted tilt table exercise in patients after stroke: a clinical feasibility study

BackgroundPatients with neurological disorders including stroke use rehabilitation to improve cognitive abilities, to regain motor function and to reduce the risk of further complications. Robotics-assisted tilt table technology has been developed to provide early mobilisation and to automate therapy involving the lower limbs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of employing a feedback control system for heart rate (HR) during robotics-assisted tilt table exercise in patients after a stroke.MethodsThis feasibility study was designed as a case series with 12 patients (n=12\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$n = 12$$\\end{document}) with no restriction on the time post-stroke or on the degree of post-stroke impairment severity. A robotics-assisted tilt table was augmented with force sensors, a work rate estimation algorithm, and a biofeedback screen that facilitated volitional control of a target work rate. Dynamic models of HR response to changes in target work rate were estimated in system identification tests; nominal models were used to calculate the parameters of feedback controllers designed to give a specified closed-loop bandwidth; and the accuracy of HR control was assessed quantitatively in feedback control tests.ResultsFeedback control tests were successfully conducted in all 12 patients. Dynamic models of heart rate response to imposed work rate were estimated with a mean root-mean-square (RMS) model error of 2.16 beats per minute (bpm), while highly accurate feedback control of heart rate was achieved with a mean RMS tracking error (RMSE) of 2.00 bpm. Control accuracy, i.e. RMSE, was found to be strongly correlated with the magnitude of heart rate variability (HRV): patients with a low magnitude of HRV had low RMSE, i.e. more accurate HR control performance, and vice versa.ConclusionsFeedback control of heart rate during robotics-assisted tilt table exercise was found to be feasible. Future work should investigate robustness aspects of the feedback control system. Modifications to the exercise modality, or alternative modalities, should be explored that allow higher levels of work rate and heart rate intensity to be achieved.

Disrupted coherence between autonomic activation and emotional expression in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.

Landmark studies have shown decreased coherence between different emotion response systems (e.g., physiology and facial expressions) in people with psychosis. However, while there is good evidence to suggest broad signs of affective dysfunction (e.g., blunting of facial expression) in the critical clinical high-risk (CHR) state, it is not clear whether these signs fit into a broader pattern of decoupling. This is in part due to there being no studies to date with this population that include a dyadic interaction. The current laboratory-based dyadic interaction study examined whether there is decreased coherence in CHR between autonomic physiology, as indexed by heart rate, and facial expressions of emotion, assessed by automated facial expressions analysis. The study included 145 individuals consisting of 34 CHR-partner and 41 control-partner pairs who completed clinical interviews and engaged in three naturalistic 10-min conversations while their physiology and expressions were continuously monitored. Compared to controls, CHR youth showed decreased coherence between heart rate and positive (t = 4.09) and negative (t = -7.90) facial expressions. Across CHR and control youth, greater severity of psychosis risk symptoms was related to lower coherence between heart rate and positive (t = 3.97-11.69) and neutral expressions (t = 0.06-4.98), and a change in the direction of the relationship between heart rate and negative expression intensity (t = 7.88-10.60). These findings provide the first evidence for changes in coherence between physiology and facial expressions of emotion in CHR individuals, with larger changes in coherence relating to greater general psychotic-like symptom severity. This evidence may be leveraged to identify targets for early diagnosis and intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Differences in Workloads of Maximal Tasks in Active-Duty Firefighters.

The purpose of this study was to compare the workload of a maximal treadmill test (TREAD) and a fire suppression task (BURN) in firefighters and to examine their relationships to fitness as measured by body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (BF%), and peak aerobic capacity (VO2PEAK). The amount of time spent in the heart rate (HR) intensity ranges of 50-59% HRMAX (ZONE1), 60-69% HRMAX (ZONE2), 70-79% HRMAX (ZONE3), 80-89% HRMAX (ZONE4), and ≥90% HRMAX (ZONE5) quantified the workload as the Edward's Training Impulse for TREAD (ETRIMPTREAD) and BURN (ETRIMPBURN). The ETRIMPTREAD was significantly less than ETRIMPBURN. For TREAD, ZONE5 > ZONE2 and ZONE3. For BURN, ZONE4 > ZONE1, ZONE2, and ZONE5 > ZONE1, ZONE2, and ZONE3. A lower BF% and greater VO2PEAK were related to a greater ETRIMPTREAD and unrelated to ETRIMPBURN. For BURN only, a lower BF% and greater VO2PEAK were related to less time in ZONE5. BMI was unrelated to all workload measures. Laboratory-based maximal exercise testing does not adequately reflect the workload of simulated fire suppression and therefore may not be indicative of firefighter readiness to meet job demands. Less-fit firefighters rely on higher cardiovascular intensities to complete the same workload, and practitioners should consider this when selecting strategies to reduce job-associated cardiovascular risk.

Effects of a physical therapist-driven individualized hybrid model of the exercise component of cardiac rehabilitation on patient outcomes: a prospective single group, time-series design

Purpose The aim of this prospective single group, time-series study was to determine the feasibility, adherence, and effectiveness of an individualized physical therapist (PT)-driven hybrid model of the exercise component of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) that uses a novel intensity-recovery progression protocol (IRPP) and cardiac testing template (CTT) to assess achieved heart rate (HR) intensity, HR recovery, and intensity-recovery total to guide treatment. Methods Assessment of a questionnaire, treadmill 6-min walk (6MW), 1-min sit-to-stand (1STS), 1-min step, and 1-min agility square tests were assessed on 100 participants. Compared to traditional CR the 36-visit 1:1 hybrid model was individualized using the IRPP program and CTT. Results Adherence was 35% (timely) and 44% (overall) completion. The per-protocol analysis (PPA) and intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis suggest significant improvement in objective assessments baseline to visit 15 (PPA = 11 of 14) (ITT = 13 of 14), baseline to visit 30 (PPA = 12 of 14) (ITT = 12 of 14) and visit 15 to visit 30 (PPA = 9 of 14) (ITT = 10 of 14). Improvement beyond the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was 94.3% in the 6MW and 91.4% in the 1STS. Conclusions The PT-driven IRPP program was feasible in terms of adherence and safety, showing significant improvement in a majority of assessments. Analysis of HR using the CTT may help clinical decision making for progression in CR. Implications for rehabilitation Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an underutilized means of improving health for people recovering from cardiac surgery. People recovering from cardiac surgery have complex reasons for why they choose to enroll in, drop out from, or complete a CR program. Reporting of outcomes in CR and progression in intensity is not often individualized. An individualized physical therapist driven CR program using both subjective and objective assessments may be successful at improving adherence and effectiveness in this cohort.

Exercise Intensity Assessment of Care Farming Activities in Adults

We aimed to determine the energy expenditure, oxygen uptake, and exercise intensity of 10 care farming activities performed by adults. The study had a crossover experimental design. Participants performed 10 care farming activities for 5 minutes, including four plant- and three animal-mediated activities, and three other activities. Each participant wore a portable telemetric calorimeter during the activities, and oxygen uptake, heart rate, and exercise intensity were measured. Twenty-one adults (aged 31.5 ± 10.2 years) participated in our study. Energy expenditure, oxygen uptake, and exercise intensity differed significantly for each activity. The 10 care farming activities were regarded as light- to moderate-intensity activities. The exercise intensity, energy expenditure, and oxygen uptake for organizing a garden plot were significantly higher than those for other care farming activities. Cooking using harvests, interacting with dogs, and feeding rabbits had the lowest exercise intensity, energy expenditure, and oxygen uptake. Other activities, such as transplanting plants, harvesting, creating art, maintaining a garden, walking with a dog, and cleaning the farm, had moderate exercise intensity, energy expenditure, and oxygen uptake. Energy expenditure, oxygen uptake, and exercise intensity data could be useful when developing a care farming program suitable for the physical condition of participants in care farming interventions.

Night time heart rate predicts next-day pain in fibromyalgia and primary back pain.

Primary chronic pain is pain that persists for over 3 months without associated measurable tissue damage. One of the most consistent findings in primary chronic pain is its association with autonomic hyperactivation. Yet whether the autonomic hyperactivation causes the pain or results from it is still unclear. It is also unclear to what extent autonomic hyperactivation is related to experienced pain intensity in different subtypes or primary chronic pain. Our first aim was to test lagged relationships between the markers of autonomic activation (heart rate) and pain intensity to determine its directionality. The main question here was whether autonomic biomarkers predict pain intensity or whether pain intensity predicts autonomic biomarkers. The second aim was to test whether this relationship is different between people with primary back pain and people with fibromyalgia. Sixty-six patients with chronic pain were observed over an average of 81 days. Sleep heart rate and heart rate variability were measured with a wearable sensor, and pain intensity was assessed from daily subjective reports. The results showed a predictive relationship between sleep heart rate and next-day pain intensity (P < 0.05), but not between daily pain intensity and next night heart rate. There was no interaction with the type of chronic pain. These findings suggest that autonomic hyperactivation, whether stress-driven or arising from other causes, precedes increases in primary chronic pain. Moreover, the present results suggest that autonomic hyperactivation is a common mechanism underlying the pain experience in fibromyalgia and chronic back pain.

Feasibility of overground exoskeleton gait training during inpatient rehabilitation after severe acquired brain injury

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the safety, feasibility, and tolerability of overground exoskeleton gait training (OEGT) integrated into clinical practice for patients after severe acquired brain injury (ABI). Setting Inpatient rehabilitation hospital. Participants Eligible patients with severe ABI met the following criteria: age > 18, medically stable, met exoskeleton frame limitations, and a score of ≤ 3 on the motor function portion of the Coma Recovery Scale – Revised (CRS-R). Presence of consciousness disorder was not exclusionary. Design Prospective observational study. Main Measures Outcomes examined safety (adverse events), feasibility (session count and barriers to session completion), and tolerability of OEGT (session metrics and heart rate). Results Ten patients with ABI completed 10.4 ± 4.8 OEGT sessions with no adverse events. Barriers to session completion included clinical focus on prioritized interventions. Sessions [median up time = 17 minutes, (IQR: 7); walk time = 13 minutes, (IQR: 9); step count = 243, (IQR: 161); device assist = 74, (IQR: 28.0)] were primarily spent in Very Light to Light heart rate intensities [89%, (IQR: 42%) and 9%, (IQR: 33%), respectively]. Conclusion OEGT incorporated into the rehabilitation plan of care during inpatient rehabilitation after severe ABI was observed to be safe, feasible, and tolerable. However, intentional steps must be taken to facilitate patient safety.

The Effect of Daily Heart Rate Workloads on Preseason, Midseason, and Postseason Oxygen Consumption in Division I Basketball.

Howard, M, Sanders, GJ, Kollock, RO, Peacock, CA, and Freire, R. The effect of daily heart rate workloads on preseason, midseason, and postseason oxygen consumption in Division I basketball. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 704-708, 2024-Basketball is a dynamic sport, requiring athletes to elicit a high-level of physical, tactical, technical, and psychological attributes and athletes must possess a robustly trained aerobic energy system. There is no research to assess how objectively measured training loads throughout a season influence aerobic capacity. The following study was a retrospective analysis of an NCAA Division I women's basketball team throughout a 5-month (23-week) competitive season. Data were sorted into season half totals and maximal oxygen consumption was recorded before, at the midway point and within 1-week postseason. Twelve athletes were monitored during each practice, pregame shoot around, scrimmage, and game for a total of 1,378 recorded sessions with a valid heart rate-based wearable microsensor (Polar Team Pro) during the season. There was a main effect of time for V̇O 2max throughout the season ( p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed there was a significant increase in V̇O 2max from preseason to postseason ( p < 0.001). Interestingly, there were significant ( p ≤ 0.001 for all) decreases from the first half to the second half of the season for training load, and time allocated to HR Zone1-4 , but no difference in time for the most intense zone, HR zone5 . Conclusion: Oxygen consumption significantly increased 7.5% from preseason to postseason despite a reduction in overall work. The only training intensity that was not different from the first half to second half of the season was time in the highest heart rate intensity zone ≥85% of HR max .

“Enhancing Rehabilitation Outcomes in Elderly Through Dance Intervention Delivered via an Inter-Communication Technology (ICT) Rollator: A Scoping Review, Pilot Study, and Proposed Future Longitudinal Study with ICT Rollator.”

A dance intervention and physical rehabilitation training programs delivered via an ICT Rollator are being investigated as potential ways to improve rehabilitation outcomes in elderly people in the current scoping review, pilot study, and anticipated future longitudinal study. The current study focuses to improve rehabilitation outcomes, psychological support through social inclusion platforms, guided movement training (e.g., gait, balance, strength), and fall prevention through ICT Rollator. However, there are Apps, digital technologies, web-based interventions, phone calls, virtual reality, augmented reality, wearable technology, and trackers are just a few of the innovations and methods that are revealed by a scoping review on home-based technology interventions for physical activity for elderly. Many studies, however, do not consider psychological variables or offer complete technological support. In the process after scoping review, six older (85+) participants took part in a pilot study that used customized prerecorded dance videos provided via a dance rollator. Pilot study preliminary results indicate improvements in balance, mobility, and gait, with high adherence rates and favourable qualitative evaluations. Sessions included monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure, which revealed patterns of heart rate intensity and variability. The pilot study demonstrates the possible advantages of dance training carried out using a dance rollator. The efficiency of rehabilitative training utilizing the ICT rollator in comparison to a control group using a conventional rollator will be further examined in proposed long-term longitudinal research. Pre-test and posttest questionnaires, an evaluation of training patterns utilizing the ICT-rollator in comparison to a standard rollator, and X-Sens sensors to analyse force distributions on body segments will be included in the study. As a unique rehabilitation aid for the aged, the Inter-Communication Technology (ICT) Rollator offers promising improvements in the elderly. A comprehensive approach to enhancing mobility, physical performance, and quality of life can be achieved by combining dance and physical rehabilitation training with technological support. The suggested longitudinal study intends to offer more information about the potential ICT-rollator.

Investigating the Users’ Preferences of Heart Rate Data Types and Visualizations on a Smartwatch

Presently, smartwatches are becoming increasingly popular; however, their small screen size poses challenges to visualization research, particularly specific data, for instance, fitness, sleep, and heart rate, visualizations. Previous studies represented real-time heart rates (RT-HRs) using heart rate values or heart rate values with an icon, and have made a preliminary exploration of heart rate data visualization on a smartwatch. However, which type of heart rate data users need most, how to visualize different types of heart rate data in smartwatch small screens, and how to allow users to quickly glance at their desired information have not been studied. In this study, we explore users’ preferred heart rate data type and preferred visualization on a smartwatch. We found that the participants’ preference scores for average heart rate and exercise intensity are higher than the scores of RT-HR and heart rate records, implying that most participants prefer interpretative data instead of raw data. In addition, participants’ preference scores for visualizations were significantly different under different motivations and heart rate data types. Based on these findings, we present design implications for interface designers to better visualize specific data on a smartwatch.

Effect of number of college baseball pitching on movement, performance, physical strength, physiological, and psychological functions of pitchers

This study aimed to examine the effects of college baseball pitching on movement, performance, physical strength, and physiological and psychological functions of pitchers. The participants were 10 right-handed male pitchers from the University baseball team. The number of pitches were 15 per inning and 135 per nine innings. Ball speed and accuracy were measured for each pitching. The grip strength, back muscle strength, and standing long jump were measured before and after all pitches. Blood lactate levels were measured before pitching, at the end of the 5th and 7th innings, and at 3rd, 6th, and 9th minutes after pitching. The participant’s heart rate and subjective exercise intensity were measured at the beginning and end of each inning using the Borg scale measurement. Five high-speed cameras were used to capture the pitching motions. The displacement of the center of gravity, lower and upper limb joint angles, and the speed of each segment were calculated. The baseball speed and accuracy did not change with the increased number of pitches. However, the grip strength decreased. Although blood lactate and heart rate were not altered, subjective exercise intensity was increased. The lower limb kinematics remained unchanged; however, elbow height was reduced in the upper limb. These results suggest that highly competitive pitchers experience subjective fatigue with the increased number of pitches, however, they maintain pitch performance, speed, and accuracy without altering whole-body physiology and lower-body function and form.

Inpatient stroke survivors with low gait functioning benefit from music interventions during cardiorespiratory exercise: A randomized cross-over trial

ABSTRACT Introduction Stroke survivors struggle to meet clinical recommendations for physical exercise duration and intensity. During the past two decades, emerging evidence has shown effectiveness of music interventions for several motor tasks in stroke rehabilitation. Additionally, music has been found effective for increasing exercise performance in athletes and clinical populations. It is postulated that the therapeutic effects of music in physical exercise are modulated by preference and task-specificity of the music. Methods We tested this hypothesis in a pilot study using a three-arm randomized cross-over design comprising the following auditory conditions during cycle ergometry cardiorespiratory exercise sessions: (a) a group-tailored music playlist, (b) radio music, and (c) a non-music control condition. Participants (n = 19) were inpatient stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation between 2 and 12 weeks post infarct. Results Our results demonstrate that clinical characteristics are an important determinant for identifying patients who can benefit from music. Specifically, participants with a higher level of gait functioning experienced no benefit, whereas participants with a low level of gait functioning showed an increase in both exercise duration (M = 4.46 minutes) and time spent in the recommended heart rate intensity (M = 6.39 and M = 2.49 minutes for the playlist and radio condition, respectively). Discussion The findings suggest a beneficial role of music in rehabilitation of stroke patients with low gait functioning. Future studies should ultimately disentangle which musical parameters are more likely to induce the putative ergogenic effects. Trial registry number: NCT05398575.

Channel Intensity and Edge-Based Estimation of Heart Rate via Smartphone Recordings

Smartphones, today, come equipped with a wide variety of sensors and high-speed processors that can capture, process, store, and communicate different types of data. Coupled with their ubiquity in recent years, these devices show potential as practical and portable healthcare monitors that are both cost-effective and accessible. To this end, this study focuses on examining the feasibility of smartphones in estimating the heart rate (HR), using video recordings of the users’ fingerprints. The proposed methodology involves two-stage processing that combines channel-intensity-based approaches (Channel-Intensity mode/Counter method) and a novel technique that relies on the spatial and temporal position of the recorded fingerprint edges (Edge-Detection mode). The dataset used here included 32 fingerprint video recordings taken from 6 subjects, using the rear camera of 2 smartphone models. Each video clip was first validated to determine whether it was suitable for Channel-Intensity mode or Edge-Detection mode, followed by further processing and heart rate estimation in the selected mode. The relative accuracy for recordings via the Edge-Detection mode was 93.04%, with a standard error of estimates (SEE) of 6.55 and Pearson’s correlation r &gt; 0.91, while the Channel-Intensity mode showed a relative accuracy of 92.75%, with an SEE of 5.95 and a Pearson’s correlation r &gt; 0.95. Further statistical analysis was also carried out using Pearson’s correlation test and the Bland–Altman method to verify the statistical significance of the results. The results thus show that the proposed methodology, through smartphones, is a potential alternative to existing technologies for monitoring a person’s heart rate.

PISTACHIo (PreemptIon of diSrupTive behAvior in CHIldren): real-time monitoring of sleep and behavior of children 3–7 years old receiving parent–child interaction therapy augment with artificial intelligence — the study protocol, pilot study

BackgroundEmotional behavior problems (EBP) are the most common and persistent mental health issues in early childhood. Early intervention programs are crucial in helping children with EBP. Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based therapy designed to address personal difficulties of parent–child dyads as well as reduce externalizing behaviors. In clinical practice, parents consistently struggle to provide accurate characterizations of EBP symptoms (number, timing of tantrums, precipitating events) even from the week before in their young children. The main aim of the study is to evaluate feasibility of the use of smartwatches in children aged 3–7 years with EBP.MethodsThis randomized double-blind controlled study aims to recruit a total of 100 participants, consisting of 50 children aged 3–7 years with an EBP measure rated above the clinically significant range (T-score ≥ 60) (Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory-ECBI; Eyberg & Pincus, 1999) and their parents who are at least 18 years old. Participants are randomly assigned to the artificial intelligence-PCIT group (AI-PCIT) or the PCIT-sham biometric group. Outcome parameters include weekly ECBI and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) as well as Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) obtained weeks 1, 6, and 12 of the study. Two smartphone applications (Garmin connect and mEMA) and a wearable Garmin smartwatch are used collect the data to monitor step count, sleep, heart rate, and activity intensity. In the AI-PCIT group, the mEMA application will allow for the ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and will send behavioral alerts to the parent.DiscussionReal-time predictive technologies to engage patients rely on daily commitment on behalf of the participant and recurrent frequent smartphone notifications. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) provides a way to digitally phenotype in-the-moment behavior and functioning of the parent–child dyad. One of the study’s goals is to determine if AI-PCIT outcomes are superior in comparison with standard PCIT. Overall, we believe that the PISTACHIo study will also be able to determine tolerability of smartwatches in children aged 3–7 with EBP and could participate in a fundamental shift from the traditional way of assessing and treating EBP to a more individualized treatment plan based on real-time information about the child’s behavior.Trial registrationThe ongoing clinical trial study protocol conforms to the international Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines and is registered in clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT05077722), an international clinical trial registry.

The Effects of Football Specific Anaerobic Training Design on Athletes’ Specific Anaerobic Ability

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different training routine designs in enhancing the athlete's specific anaerobic ability based on the specific characteristics of football. The proposed training design serves to improve football athletes’ specific anaerobic ability. The study involved eighteen football players from the Xi'an Institute of Physical Education men's football team. This researcher collected the data via expert interviews, maximum heart rate experiment test and blood lactic acid test. The data was analysed statistically using t-test The anaerobic training method was measured using Polar Team 2 heart rate monitoring system and Lactate Pro. The training routine design involved 1) two types of specific anaerobic training routines with maximum speed and 2) anaerobic endurance training in four-goal small-sided games with two different interval ratios. The findings indicated that the two training routine designs exhibit a non-synchronization feature in terms of the variations in heart rate and exercise intensity in the training routine, with Type 1 lactic acid value approaching the normal endpoint and Type 2 slightly increasing. Meanwhile, the results showed that the heart rate and lactic acid levels in Type 1 are more significant than in Type 2 in four-goal small-sided games. This implied that the training routine designs of varied intensities and controlled variables can enhance the specific anaerobic ability of the football athletes. Through the different combinations and training schedules of aerobic training, anaerobic training, and muscle strength training in this research, relevant theories and design ideas are provided to support further studies. Future researchers can delve into how to monitor the changes in blood lactic acid values of athletes under different intensity training and explore more optimized training programs by changing different training content and requirements.

Distinct influence of everyday noise on cardiovascular stress

High-intensity environmental noise is known to be detrimental to cardiovascular health. However, individual differences have not been considered, and reported effects cannot be generalized to noise levels reflecting everyday life. Here, we explore the relationship between daily-life sound exposure and heart rate with longitudinal data from ten individuals across three weeks. We analyze the daily short-term covariation between changes in heart rate and sound intensity using multi-level regression and Granger analysis. We find strong evidence that everyday sound exposure is related to heart rate in all participants. Sound intensity is linearly and positively related to heart rate, while the ambient signal-to-noise ratio has a negative association to heart rate in louder environments. Across participants we establish a distinct temporal pattern of Granger causality with stronger influence of the sound environment on heart rate from 6:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs than for the rest of the afternoon/evening. We propose that sound sensitivity measures represent a combination of the amount of effort asserted to listen under noisy conditions during the active periods of a day and the direct physiological sound-induced stress reaction. A thorough understanding of both factors is necessary to determine the full extent to which everyday noise influence long-term health.