Telemetric system for pathophysiological stress evaluation

INTRODUCTION:

Heart rate variability (HRV) is physiological fluctuations in heart rate that reflect activity of the autonomic nervous system. The HRV can be used as an objective indicator of the body's response to physical and mental stress and overwork. The idea of monitoring employees using HRV is to manage work packages to prevent risk of injury, burnout effect or errors due to inattentions or exhaustion.

TECHNOLOGY (INVENTION) DESCRIPTION:

Currently, we have developed Android application for athletes. The app measures RR intervals, calculates HRV indexes and displays recommendations for further training. It is possible to modify the application for monitoring of employees which are exposed to physical or mental stress. The modification needs some minor changes in application and adding of new recommendations. The application communicates with Bluetooth Smart chest straps, which was tested with Polar H10 and Suunto Smart Sensor. HRV is evaluated in two body positions - standing for 1 minute and supine for 2 minutes. A questionnaire with subjective feelings is a part of the measurement. The measured data are sent to server where artifacts are filtered and HRV indexes are evaluated, then they are sent back to the application.

ADVANTAGES OVER EXISTING SOLUTIONS:

HRV is already used for sport trainings and measurement of overtraining, but it is not routinely used for monitoring of employees. We know, that the old model is used at Třinecké železárny, where there is a high risk of serious injuries. The old model but requires measurement in the examination room, is not easily portable and the measurement itself takes 15 minutes. On the other hand our new system is portable, employees can measure themselves at home and the whole measurement takes just 3 minutes.

DEVELOPMENT STATUS (STAGE):

The Android application was verified in collaboration with regional Czech First League football club.

PUBLICATIONS:

Krejčí, J., Botek, M., & McKune, A. J. (2018). Stabilization period before capturing an ultra-short vagal index can be shortened to 60 s in endurance athletes and to 90 s in university students. PLoS One, 13, 1-12. Botek, M., Krejčí, J., & McKune, A. J. (2017). Variabilita srdeční frekvence v tréninkovém procesu: historie, současnost a perspektiva. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého.

IP PROTECTION STATUS:

Protected as a know-how. Evaluation of measured data is performed on secured server managed by UPOL.

TECHNOLOGY / IP OWNERS :

Palacký University Olomouc, Faculty of Physical Culture