Between Google Glass and the much-anticipated release of the Apple Watch, the parameters within the wearable space are continually being defined. Everything from eyewear to wristwear has become real estate for manufacturers to try to tap into.
In fitness circles, plenty of companies are offering garments of some kind coupled with a certain degree of intelligence attached to them. Athos and Hexoskin would be two of such in the field already attempting to breakthrough among everyday users.
Still, specialization and concentration invariably permeates wearable technology, in terms of its application on different regions of the body.
Myontec, a Finland-based startup, is running a Kickstarter campaign to bring their Mbody product to the masses. A pro version of this sportswear has been tested on an ongoing basis by various organizations, including the National Olympic Committee of Netherlands and Red Bull North America. Both versions comprise of a sleek compression short and smartphone capability to present the muscle load information wirelessly. The design and functionality combine to translate quite well for its wearability.
The principle focus derives from surface electromyography, which is a technique that records the electrical activity pertinent to muscles. The shorts, thus, transfer electrical signals from, primarily, a user’s quadriceps and hamstrings. While the application of the measurements have been a problem to execute outside of a laboratory setting, a lot of that has previously been influenced by the lack of proper handling for the electrode placement juxtaposed to the skin as well as the infrastructure to secure the wires needed. Mbody’s washable textile allows the ability to track muscles during training that are both agonist and synergistic by nature. This targetable facet offers the unique chance to see data directly about leg muscle intensity. What’s important to know is whether there’s any muscle imbalance or areas that can be improved to maximize exercise efficiency.
Accordingly, Myontec’s Director of Customer Experience Management, Janne Pylvas, reiterates to SportTechie that MBody’s placement in the quadriceps and hamstrings gives users an entire new dimension of their biometrics, which are the instrumental body parts that work the hardest when exercising–something other wearable manufacturers haven’t completely dialed in on.
The corresponding algorithms take shape in large part from their own metric called “muscle activity or MA” to quantify it all–believe it or not. This unit garners 100mV voltage sign throughout this region, while heart rate through the MBody Coach app allows it to identify its relative levels next to the pressure of a given workout, along with a fair estimation of the user’s max muscle load. Statistics are then populated within the app as circled graphs that conveys the data produced from these quadrants and collectively. It’s clear to notice here the capacity in which the user is doing or forcing too much stress on a specific muscle.
Although some may be skeptical about its consistency from one user to another or the accuracy of the electrodes based on its placement, Pylvas assured that both of these concerns should be dismissed. The former is a non-issue due to the fact that the sensors are large enough to dispel any potential side effect from the size of the shorts worn. The latter could be better addressed by looking at the turnover levels between extremes and recovery instances as oppose to the stringent numbers on how hard muscles are working.
The MCell, the tracking module gadget, that’s placed right underneath a user’s bellybutton stands as the gateway to transmit the data to the smartphone. It contains a 3D accelerometer, LED indicators, bluetooth LE antenna, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The size of it does present problems to any cyclist or weightlifter, but, overall, it can be positioned vertically that doesn’t impede most exercises.
By itself, though, this device wouldn’t be able to offer the novel feature that’s tied to the smartphone: audio coaching. The software will discern in real-time user’s warm-up thresholds, balance, muscle performance, and signs of overloading. The app, thus, will talk during key moments and give training directions that stem from the biosignals the body produces. These audible alerts could perhaps prove to be difficult to perform when instructed, especially when in mid-stride. For those that workout alone, the verbal interaction could be enough to serve as additional motivation, sans music.
“We can say that this data is coming directly from your muscles. It’s not like heart rate that’s telling how your body is feeling. Heart rate reacts if you’re drinking coffee. But muscle activation is not the same. So, whatever you’re doing, we are getting the exact data of your muscles,” says Pylvas, with respects to why the audio feedback is important and complements the information that’s being collected.
With the Apple Watch’s HealthKit looming as a potential place for further integration, Myontec’s MBody shorts should suffice everyday athletes as a means to know more about the core muscles that do most of the work–a smart choice for anyone to take advantage of, particularly to avoid overcompensation.