Category: EMG

Measuring Mindfulness: Ancient Awareness for Modern Research

The concept of mindfulness has garnered significant attention in recent years, transcending its roots in ancient meditation practices to become a focal point in modern scientific research, particularly in the fields of physiology and psychophysiology. Understanding mindfulness involves delving into its essence: a state of heightened awareness and acceptance of the present moment, free from judgment or attachment to external stimuli. But how exactly does this concept intersect with the realms of physiology and psychophysiology, and how do researchers measure its impact on the human body and mind?

At its core, mindfulness entails being fully present and engaged in the current experience, whether it be a sensation, thought, or emotion. This mental state has been associated with numerous health benefits, including stress reduction, improved cognitive function, and enhanced emotional well-being. In the realm of physiology and psychophysiology, researchers are keen to explore how mindfulness practices influence the body’s physiological processes and how these changes can be quantified and understood.

One of the primary methods used to measure mindfulness in laboratory settings is through the analysis of physiological signals, such as electrodermal activity (EDA) and heart rate variability (HRV). During mindfulness practices, individuals often experience a shift in these physiological parameters. For example, studies have shown that mindfulness meditation can lead to decreased EDA, indicating a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity and arousal levels. Similarly, practitioners may exhibit increased HRV, reflecting greater parasympathetic nervous system dominance and improved adaptability to stressors.

A collaborative study by a team of researchers from Wake Forest University, the University of Utah, and San Diego State University examined the role of HRV in mindfulness-based pain relief practices. Specifically, the study looked at the role of high-frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV), a marker of parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity, during mindfulness-based pain relief versus a sham-breathing exercise that served as a control. Respiration and electrocardiogram (ECG) data was fed into a BIOPAC data acquisition and analysis system. While the study results were inconclusive, researchers determined that further study was needed to explore “parasympathetic activation in mindfulness-based pain relief as compared to other meditative techniques.”

lotusA study published in the 2023 edition of the Journal of Psychiatric Research compared how rest and breath-focused mindfulness could be used to regulate and control various symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative symptoms related to past trauma in female study participants. Researchers used skin conductance response (SCR), one of the components of EDA, to measure autonomic function as it relates to PTSD symptoms. SCR data were collected during alternating resting control and breath-focused mindfulness conditions via BIOPAC EDA electrodes connected to a BIOPAC data acquisition and analysis system. The study found that rest and breathing exercises had produced positive results for individuals with low to moderate levels of trauma but were less effective with higher levels.

One notable feature of BIOPAC’s technology is its ability to integrate multiple physiological signals simultaneously, allowing researchers to better understand how mindfulness practices impact various bodily systems. An example is a study by a group of researchers in Israel that examined the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) in improving mental well-being and resilience. MBIs are non-religious adaptations of contemplative Buddhist practices that are used to reduce suffering and increase well-being. Researchers used a BIOPAC BioNomadix system to wirelessly record a range of physiological signals, including ECG, electromyography (EMG), and EDA. Their goal was to determine whether mindfulness could positively influence how interoceptive signals from the autonomic nervous system regulate one’s sense of well-being. The study concluded that “mindfulness seems to increase the sensitivity of regulatory selections to interoceptive signals, and this is associated with subjective well-being.”

Mindfulness represents a fascinating intersection between ancient contemplative traditions and modern scientific inquiry. To learn more about how BIOPAC is helping researchers uncover new insights into the physiological aspects of mindfulness and its potential implications for health and well-being, check out our webinar on The Science of Mindfulness.

Are you looking for techniques and tools to measure mindfulness in your study? Contact your regional BIOPAC sales representative to integrate everything you will need to gather and analyze data.

2023 in Review: The Best of Research Using BIOPAC

As another year winds to a close, it is a holiday tradition to look back on the last 12 months and take stock. ‘Tis the season of “top 10” lists, “best of” articles, and “year in review” segments in the media. So, not to be left out, we here at BIOPAC have been assessing 2023 from our own unique vantage point. We have put together a brief list of some of our favorite research studies from the year that relied on BIOPAC products to gather and analyze data. We have nervous passengers in driverless cars, killer clowns, and individuals giving us conspicuous side-eye, all for your reading pleasure.

Backseat Drivers

While the advent of self-driving vehicles offers considerable potential for increasing the convenience of transportation and travel, this developing technology is not without controversy. Both passengers and those who would potentially share the road with autonomous vehicles worry about safety issues. A recent study funded by the French National Research Agency examined how passengers in self-driving vehicles reacted when navigating shared-space areas with large concentrations of pedestrians. The study defined shared spaces as “areas where all forms of segregation between pedestrians and vehicles (e.g., road markings, traffic signals, signs, curbs, and barriers) are minimized or eliminated.” Study participants were seated in front of a computer-based driving simulator. EDA data was gathered via a BioNomadix wireless  EDA transmitter and amplifier connected to a BIOPAC data acquisition and analysis system. Data was gathered across a variety of variables including changes in vehicle speed, concentrations of pedestrians, and proximity. Among the study’s conclusions was the suggestion that cognitive processes involved in collision risk assessments may lead to physiological adaptations that allow passengers to cope with stress related to vehicle-pedestrian interactions in shared spaces.

Send in the (Demonic) Clowns

VR HMDAnother study that caught our attention in 2023 examined how stressors created in a virtual reality (VR) environment are manifested in measurable physiological stress reactions. VR has seen a growth of applications beyond entertainment in recent years. It is being used for a wide range of applications such as training in simulated environments where it is necessary to create stressful conditions that mimic real-world experiences. A team of German researchers examined a variety of physiological signals, including electroencephalography (EEG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and peripheral skin temperature (ST) to determine which are most reliable for accurately measuring the stress levels of participants while they experienced cinematic horror scenarios in a VR environment. Study participants wore a VR headset that displayed four-minute episodic horror movies featuring demonic clowns. EEG data was gathered with an SS2L electrode lead set and general-purpose electrodes connected to the left temporal lobe. ECG recording was conducted with a second lead using an SS2L electrode lead set. The research team used an SS3LA EDA transducer to collect EDA data. All data was fed to an MP36 system running Biopac Student Lab (BSL) software. The study successfully demonstrated that stress can be triggered in VR and leads to a physiological and measurable stress reaction.

Are You Looking at Me?

The third study that sparked our interest in 2023 looked at how individuals react to the gaze of another person. A team of researchers from Finland and China used facial electromyography (EMG), skin conductance response (SCR), and heart rate (HR) to measure affective and attentional responses to faces with a direct and averted gaze. The study sought to measure both vicarious responses to watching two individuals who were looking at each other as well as individuals looking directly at the participant. SCR was recorded using a BIOPAC EDA100C amplifier connected to an MP data acquisition system. The participant’s facial muscle activity was measured and amplified with an EMG100C amplifier. The electrocardiogram (ECG) signal was measured with electrodes placed on the left and right inner forearm and amplified with an ECG100C amplifier. While the study did not find significant vicarious eye contact response, it did measure considerable affective response from direct gaze from one or more individuals. The study’s results could provide a better understanding of the role physiology plays in non-verbal communication between individuals and groups.

This is just a small sampling of the many studies that relied on BIOPAC equipment to gather and analyze data in 2023. For more ideas on how BIOPAC is leading the way in physiology, psychophysiology, neurology, and other areas of research, check out our webinars or watch one of our many online training videos. See you in 2024!

Start 2024 right by leveraging BIOPAC products in your next research study. Reach out to your regional sales representative to learn more.

Faster, Stronger, Further—Unlocking the Body’s Potential with Exercise Physiology

Every athlete seeks the winning formula that will make them more competitive. Add coaches, trainers, weekend warriors, and everyday health enthusiasts to the mix, all looking for an edge to improve fitness, shorten recovery times, and avoid injuries. Exercise physiology plays a key role in gaining such advantages and insights.

Exercise physiology encompasses the scientific study of how the body responds and adapts to exercise and physical activity. It covers a wide spectrum of systems including the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal as well as metabolic function and overall performance. Today’s exercise physiologists benefit from a range of tools and techniques to measure, collect, and analyze such responses and acquire a better understanding of the ways in which exercise affects both humans and other animals, including solutions that integrate the latest virtual reality and eye tracking technology.

This type of research is not without its challenges. Study participants are often required to be physically active during data acquisition. The tools employed in such instances must allow participants to move freely without introducing signal artifacts or noise into the data. A 2021 study into the physiological progression of fatigue shows how researchers can resolve such problems by employing wireless devices such as BIOPAC mobile EMG amplifiers, used in this case to measure strain to the biceps and triceps during exercise. Researchers successfully gathered a range of EMG data with no negative effects from the physical exertion of the study participants.heavy lifting

Exercise physiology research has also been applied to the treatment and management of exercise- and sports-related injuries, both acute and chronic. Additionally, studies have investigated the connection between physical activity and pathology, revealing new ways to prevent or reduce the progress of certain diseases.

A 2020 study by researchers at the University of Udine examined the effects of both exercise alone and exercise combined with a high-protein diet on patients with late-onset Pompe disease, a neuromuscular disorder that degrades a person’s tolerance to physical activity. The study explored which routine had the greatest impact, if any, on a patient’s exercise tolerance, muscle and pulmonary functions, and quality of life. A BIOPAC isometric dynamometer measured muscle force generated by the right leg and arm during flex and extension tests. Data gathered with a BIOPAC data acquisition and analysis system running AcqKnowledge software demonstrated that the combination of exercise and a high-protein diet did improve exercise tolerance, muscle enzymes, pulmonary function, and quality of life for the patients.

Exercise physiology research also sheds light on the ways in which exercise impacts mental and physical wellness. A study published at the Ho Chi Minh University of Technology used heart rate variability (HRV) to evaluate the influence of stress, both physical and mental, on the performance of stationary bike trainees. During the experiment, electrocardiogram (ECG) signal data was gathered from participants using an MP36 data acquisition unit running Biopac Student Lab (BSL) software over a two-month exercise regimen. Based on the results of the study, researchers concluded that HRV provided a useful window into how stress impacts performance and that HRV data could be used as a management tool to monitor stress levels during training.

The techniques and tools available to today’s exercise physiology researchers are as diverse and varied as the areas in which they are being employed, from athletic performance monitoring and enhancement to wellness studies. For more information on how such tools can benefit your exercise physiology research, watch BIOPAC’s webinar on Recording Great Data from Exercising and Mobile Subjects.

Our regional BIOPAC sales reps are ready to help you find the right tools to design your next exercise physiology study. Contact them today to learn more.

Measuring Moods: Signals for Insight into Emotion

“Do you ever look at someone and wonder what is going on inside their head?”

Joy, an anthropomorphized manifestation of happiness, delivers this line at the opening of Pixar’s 2015 animated hit “Inside Out,” a film that explores the emotional struggles of its young protagonist. She could have been speaking for generations of researchers who have plumbed the depths of the human psyche for a better understanding of the mechanisms behind our feelings, moods, and emotions.

When today’s researchers talk about emotion, they typically do so in terms of affect, the underlying physiological and psychological experience of feelings and emotions as a reaction to stimuli. Affect and emotion are not the same thing, per se, but are fundamentally connected. While the feelings we describe as fear, joy, love, hate, etc. remain abstract, affect is more concrete. BIOPAC co-founder and head of R&D describes it as “the measurable quality or manifestation of emotion in the human body.”

This manifestation can be measured in the human nervous system’s response to stimuli. Depending on the nature of the stimuli and how this sensory data is interpreted by the central nervous system, an array of physiological responses can take place: heart rate changes, the stomach and muscle groups tense, skin temperature responds, triggering sweat glands, among others.

The signals corresponding to these reactions provide researchers with valuable data to help them better understand affect and emotion. These signals—electroencephalogram (EEG), electrodermal activity (EDA), electromyogram (EMG), heart rate, and respiratory rate, to name a few—can be recorded and measured using a range of currently available sensing technologies.

As an example, a 2019 study published through the Queensland University of Technology used respiration signals as a means of classification for human emotions such as happiness, sadness, surprise, disgust, fear, and anger. In the study, breathing signals, including airflow rate and volume, were acquired and recorded using a BIOPAC MP36 data acquisition unit while participants were shown seven film clips, each associated with a different emotion. The study concluded that the respiratory data was 80% effective in accurately classifying affective responses to the film stimuli.

A team of researchers at the Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology in Pakistan took their investigation into the connection between physiological signals and emotion a step further. They used a similar approach by measuring participant response to movie clips, however this time, four types of physiological signals were acquired, including ECG, EMG, respiration, and skin conductivity (SC). The data was acquired with a wide range of signal sensors and analyzed via a BIOPAC MP160 DAQ System.Signals for Emotion

Signal sensing technology also allows researchers to study emotion in multiple participants simultaneously, as was the case in a 2020 dyadic study of how a parent’s stress and emotional suppression affects their children. The study measured physiological responses of both parents and children using ECG and impedance cardiography (ICG) via a BIOPAC MP150 data acquisition unit.

The mysteries of human emotion are being unlocked through a growing understanding of the affective response to stimuli. For more information on how physiological signals can be gathered and analyzed for this purpose, see our app note on emotional state physiology as well as our webinar Emotion and Objective Physiological Measures.

Contact BIOPAC for the latest information on how we can help you measure affect in the lab.

‘Tis the Season for Stress: Research Tools for Anxious Times

Holiday-related stress is as much of a seasonal tradition as family gatherings, frantic shopping forays, and over-indulgence in food and drink. Add to this potent mixture nearly two years of pandemic-induced tension and we have a volatile cocktail of emotions and anxiety awaiting us in November and December. What better time to study the causes and effects of stress?

Research has established strong links between stress and our moods and sense of well-being, not to mention overall mental and physical health. While certain types of stress during development can teach individuals to adapt to life’s many challenges, excessive and prolonged stress is shown to contribute to chronic disease and a range of psychological disorders. According to the American Psychological Association, which conducts an annual survey monitoring stress, the COVID pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on stress levels across all demographics, particularly among young people.

The pandemic is just one of many factors driving demand for new approaches to stress research. Thankfully, researchers now have access to a myriad of technologies to support any experiment design. In a recent webinar on techniques for measuring physiological changes related to stress, BIOPAC head of European Sales, Alex Dimov, outlined a range of stress-connected physiological responses that can be measured in the lab with available technologies. These include heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), trans-radial-ulnar electrical bioimpedance velocimetry (TREV), cardiac output, blood pressure, EDA, pulse, respiration, EMG, EEG, and functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

One of the challenges of measuring stress in a natural environment is finding the right data gathering tools to support the mobility of test participants. A 2019 study tackled this by examining a variety of techniques for measuring stress in day-to-day life using mobile phones and wearable sensors. Settings included the lab, automobile, office, school, and other daily life locations. Along with consumer products like smartphones, smartwatches, and fitness bands, researchers also employed wearable sensors, including the BioNomadix wireless PPG transmitter to measure blood volume pulse (BVP) using a photo plethysmogram (PPG) signal. Researchers found that the BIOPAC device provided a high level of accuracy (80%) when employed outside of the traditional lab environment.

Smelling RosesStress research technologies are not limited to data gathering. Stimulus presentation tools offer researchers options for both inducing and alleviating stress in the lab. A 2019 University of Wisconsin study investigating the role scents can play in reducing stress utilized EDA, heart rate, and respiratory rate to measure how rose scent reduced anxiety among students taking a difficult test. Respiratory rate was measured using a BIOPAC respiratory transducer while EDA data was collected with an EDA finger transducer. Data was collected and analyzed via the Biopac Student Lab System. While rose scent was delivered using scented lotion, it should be noted that BIOPAC offers a new modular scent delivery system that is capable of delivering up to eight scents per experiment, with more than 120 scent options.

With so many data gathering tools available, planning your next experiment should not leave you feeling on edge. Let your BIOPAC sales rep help you take the stress out of stress research.

BIOPAC offers a wide array of wired and wireless equipment that can be used in your research. To find more information on solutions for recording and analyzing signals such as ECG, heart rate, respiration, and more using any platforms mentioned in this blog post, you can visit the individual application pages on the BIOPAC website.

Meet Them Where They Are—Portable Wireless Solutions

Once relegated to tightly controlled lab environments where electrode-laden participants were observed at close quarters, researchers are now able to extend the lab into the everyday environment over nearly limitless distances. Top quality physiological data can be acquired from untethered subjects performing tasks ranging from sleeping comfortably in their own beds to engaging in high-impact sports. How and when did this deep dive into unfettered physiology become possible? We offer a brief examination of the solutions currently offered as the 2020s emerge.

BioNomadix BioShirt

Lightweight, comfortable, and some might even say fashionable, the BioNomadix BioShirt uses a respiration sensor and fabric electrodes to wirelessly record respiration and ECG from ambulatory subjects performing unfettered tasks in short or long-term studies, in the lab, or in the real world. The shirt connects to a BioNomadix wireless Respiration & ECG Transmitter (BN-RSPEC) secured in a small pocket on the front of the BioShirt—no electrodes, gels, or wires need apply. Wireless data can be transmitted to a BioNomadix Smart Center, Logger or matched Receiver+MP160/MP150 System. BioShirts provide a high level of comfort and are ideal for long-term physiological monitoring. The ECG and respiratory signal are obtained by means of sensors made of yarns that are fully integrated into the shirt’s textile structure. Sensors are made of fibers directly woven during the production process, and connections between sensors are obtained using conductive fibers for a totally unobtrusive, highly comfortable sensorized garment. The base yarn is composed of anallergic and antibacterial materials to guarantee safe and prolonged use. Machine washable with mild detergent—do NOT use fabric softener.

Smart Center

The BioNomadix Smart Center is a small-form USB-powered data acquisition unit that can record data from up to three wireless BioNomadix transmitters at a time. The transmitters are automatically detected and paired using a guided setup wizard. Smart Center is compatible with 14 different BioNomadix Transmitter types encompassing all major body signals. AcqKnowledge data acquisition and data analysis software also supports monitoring transmitter battery levels, automatic configuration of derived signals and guided analysis based on the type of recorded signals. Adhesive Velcro disks are included for mounting on various surfaces. Smart Center offers a compact and sophisticated physiology platform that sets up in minutes. Simply plug the Smart Center into the computer, set up the transmitters and subject, then start recording high quality data with AcqKnowledge software.

BioNomadix Wireless Wearable Physiology Logger

Offering the industry’s only system that delivers a comprehensive, 24-hour data logging solution in an easy-to-use, easy-to-wear package, the BioNomadix Logger truly delivers “physiology anywhere.” The BioNomadix Logger is the perfect tool for applications that demand greater degrees of subject freedom and complex experimental design. BioNomadix Loggers wirelessly record physiological data as subjects freely and naturally live their lives.

BioHarness Telemetry and Logging Systems

BioHarness with AcqKnowledge software is a lightweight portable biological data logger and telemetry system that monitors, analyzes, and records a variety of physiological parameters including ECG, respiration, posture, and acceleration. BioHarness applications include physiology, psychology, psychophysiology, exercise physiology, ergonomics, human factors, and more. The BioHarness operates in Bluetooth transmitting mode for live viewing of data or data logging mode. In the data logging mode, BioHarness acquires and saves the data for later download to AcqKnowledge software using the included USB docking and charging cradle.

Eye Tracking Glasses ETV

The ETVision (ETV) wearable unit resembles a pair of eyeglasses that can be worn by itself or over the participant’s prescription eyeglasses. The glasses incorporate miniature “eye cameras” for viewing each eye and a “scene camera” that views what the participant is looking at. A built-in microphone is included, and an optional visor can be mounted to the front of the headgear. Recording video and audio data to an SD card for later data processing allows the participant to be completely untethered during data recording. This is useful while engaging in long term activities away from the lab such as walking, bicycling, or driving.

For more information about BIOPAC wireless solutions, we invite you to view the following resources:

BIOPAC offers a wide array of wired and wireless equipment that can be used in your research. To find more information on solutions for recording and analyzing signals such as ECG, heart rate, respiration and more using any platforms mentioned in this blog post, you can visit the individual application pages on the BIOPAC website.

Photo by Fabio Comparelli on Unsplash

Best Practices for Recording & Analyzing Data

Over the past several years, tools and techniques for recording and analyzing physiological data recording have seen steady and marked improvement. Modern life science data acquisition systems such as the MP160 System and powerful research-grade software suites such as AcqKnowledge bring high-end physiology tools within reach of the smallest lab. Even with continuing advances and reduced margin for error, it remains prudent to follow some fundamental guidelines for maximizing data quality and clarity.

Preparation is important. First, invest time exploring the system if it’s new or unfamiliar. An overview of the documentation, training videos, and available webinars, as well as some practice runs with the hardware and software will save time and effort when the time comes to conduct a study. This will also build proficiency at identifying the differences between good and poor data.

Next, familiarize yourself with the type of electrodes and/or transducers necessary for the physiological signals you will be acquiring, which includes proper electrode and skin site preparation. For example, gently abrading the skin prior to applying electrodes is normally recommended for most signal types, except for electrodermal activity (EDA), in which case it’s vital to NOT abrade the skin beforehand. It is also helpful to wait at least 5 minutes before starting a recording, which enables the electrode gel to be absorbed into the skin, helping reduce the impedance.

Performing an impedance check to ensure that the electrodes are making good contact with the skin is also highly recommended. This task is made easier by using an Electrode Impedance Checker (such as EL-CHECK), a simple device for quickly measuring the resistance between the skin and the electrode that provides an LED readout of the skin/electrode contact quality. If the resistance is too high (indicating poor contact) proper adjustments can be made before starting an experiment.

For certain signal types, excessive participant movement can introduce unwanted artifact into the signal, resulting in poor or skewed data. Make sure the participant remains as still as possible during studies involving these signals. Using tape to attach the electrode leads to the skin and keep them from moving excessively can also be helpful.

A thorough check of the system and all connections, cameras, and other hardware is important, so that any problems with equipment or setup can be addressed in advance, thus avoiding a show-stopping issue in the midst of an experiment. This would include performing a pilot study with trained personnel in order to head off any unforeseen issues with the data collection.

Creating a lab setup conducive to a relaxed environment for the participant and technician alike will yield better results. This means eliminating clutter, noise, and other distractions that can affect comfort and attention span. Some labs even avoid having their staff wear lab coats because this can heighten participant nervousness.

Keeping detailed notes on successful lab setups is also helpful and will streamline the preparation process for future experiments. Additionally, creating and saving graph templates for regularly-repeated experiments will save further time and effort.

For more about the fundamentals of recording great data, we invite you to view this free on-demand webinar Fundamentals of Physiology Recording.

BIOPAC offers a wide array of wired and wireless equipment that can be used in your research. To find more information on solutions for recording and analyzing signals such as ECG, heart rate, respiration and more using any platforms mentioned in this blog post, you can visit the individual application pages on the BIOPAC website.

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Using fEMG for Facial Expression Analysis

Facial expressions, even at their most subtle, cover a wide palette of emotions. The study of these expressions can be approached several ways, including via a camera and facial mapping using FaceReader expression analysis software—but another common method for acquiring this type of data is through facial electromyography (fEMG).

fEMG is a relatively simple procedure that focuses on recording the activity of two specific sets of facial muscles:

  • zygomaticus major (cheek muscle used for smiling)
  • corrugator supercilli (forehead muscle associated with frowning and negative emotions such as anger, fear, and disgust).

While parsing a subject’s nuanced emotional state can be tricky, zygomaticus and corrugator muscle activity are highly reliable indicators of the physiological components of smiling or frowning. Even tiny variations of expression barely discernible in video are detectable via fEMG, as the slightest tension and release of the zygomaticus or corrugator muscles will be reflected in separate channels in the fEMG data.

So, how do we acquire good quality fEMG?

Since the zygomaticus and corrugator muscles on each side work in tandem during natural smiling or frowning, it’s only necessary to apply electrodes to one side of the face. It’s also important that one—and only one—ground electrode be used; for fEMG, ground is normally applied near the corrugator electrodes.

  1. First, the facial skin needs to be properly prepared by gently cleaning with an alcohol wipe, after which it’s recommended to apply a skin prep solution called ELPREP to enhance signal quality.
  2. Select and apply reusable (EL254, EL654) or disposable (EL513) electrodes.
  3. Before recording fEMG data, it’s also highly recommended to verify that the impedance of the attached electrodes falls between between 5 and 10 KOhms. This is easily achieved through the use of an electrode impedance checker called an EL-CHECK, which takes the guesswork out of proper electrode adhesion
  4. Connect the appropriate lead to the selected amplifier. The type of recommended electrode leads will depend on whether the setup uses

With the proper setup and equipment, acquiring great fEMG data is as easy as smiling.

To learn more, we invite you to visit our webinar page for these and other free, on-demand webinars that detail methods for recording and analysis of fEMG data:

BIOPAC offers a wide array of wired and wireless equipment that can be used in your research. To find more information on solutions for recording and analyzing signals such as ECG, heart rate, respiration and more using any platforms mentioned in this blog post, you can visit the individual application pages on the BIOPAC website.

Exercise Physiology – Pulling Out All the Stops

Everyone has experienced showing up at the doctor’s office and being tasked with sitting very still while vital signs are taken. You sit almost trance-like, concentrating on slowing your heartbeat, willing your blood pressure down, avoiding any sudden movement that might affect the signals being monitored for posterity. It’s quite another matter when body signals are being monitored and measured from someone in full motion, particularly an elite athlete, all systems performing at maximum capacity. How are multiple facets of our physiology accurately captured when we are puffing and sweating at full exertion? Don’t these movements introduce artifact into the data and affect its quality? Won’t the result be an unusable mess? The truth is with proper setup and hardware, acquiring accurate signals from exercise physiology subjects has never been easier.

Signals typically and simultaneously acquired during exercise physiology studies are heartbeat (ECG), respiration (RSP), muscle activity (EMG), in addition to oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, blood pressure, core/surface temperature data, range of motion, and even GPS, if the participant is performing the activity outside the lab.

An important factor in exercise physiology studies is choosing the right electrodes, as well as their placement. We recommended using long-term electrodes, such as EL502, which can be worn up to 24 hours. If sweat is a problem, use stress electrodes which adhere better and are resistant to moisture. For even better adhesion to contoured parts of the body, use fabric electrodes. It is also important to prep the electrode site correctly, by first abrading the skin using an ELPAD, and making sure the electrode has sufficient conductive gel.

For measuring ECG signals, particularly Lead II, place the electrodes over bone such as a clavicle or rib to minimize movement artifact. For studies involving a lot of abdominal movement, a Lead I ECG configuration is recommended (left and right clavicle placement). This will help assure a good ECG signal during exercise.

If the participant is inside the lab (say, on a treadmill or exercise bike), a “wired” system, such as BIOPAC’s MP160 System with 100D-Series Smart Amplifiers is a good choice. Up to 16 channels of data can be acquired which can be extended to include 16 calculation channels of derived signals or online filters. For more freedom of movement, the MP160 System with BioNomadix wireless transmitters/receivers offer unrestrained comfort, including a BioShirt with built-in ECG fabric electrodes and RSP transducer. The wireless BioNomadix System has a range of 10 meters line-of-sight between transmitters and receivers. For long-term studies outside the lab, the BioNomadix Logger records and logs data for up to 24 hours while the subject goes about their protocol.

An additional wireless system commonly used for exercise studies is the Mobita System. Mobita is wireless, and like the aforementioned systems, works with the MP160 and AcqKnowledge software for recording and advanced analysis. Mobita is compact enough to fit in your hand and will record up to 32 channels of biopotential data.

No reason to keep still or be quiet any longer. With this many choices, acquiring high-quality exercise physiology data over a full range of body signals is within easy reach.

For more information about exercise physiology and how to maximize your results, we invite you to view our free webinar, Recording Great Data from Exercising and Mobile Subjects.

fNIRS Systems—a NIR miracle

At the dawn of the 19th century, pioneering astronomer Sir William Herschel discovered the existence of infrared radiation, which is electromagnetic radiation invisible to the human eye but identifiable via its ability to heat objects. Infrared radiation is commonly divided into three categories, near, mid, or far infrared waves. In ensuing years, infrared radiation was found to be useful for industrial, scientific, military, and law enforcement applications, such as heat signature tracking and night vision goggles. Over two decades ago, a new technology called near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was developed for non-invasively measuring specific aspects of human physiology using near infra-red waves. While far infrared waves lie closest to the microwave region, near infrared waves are closest in length to the visible light part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and are microscopic in size. Unlike far infrared waves, near infrared waves do not produce any heat. In fact, we can’t feel them at all. They are the small waves used by common devices such as a
remote control.

Today, near infrared waves are commonly used  for studying many application areas of human physiology, notably by the fNIRS Imaging Systems to gather precise, high-density brain function and muscle oxygenation data.

How does fNIRS work with regard to human physiology? It’s an optical technology which sends light into the tissue and records the light that scatters back via a photo-diode and sensor attached to the subject. The fNIRS continuous wave technology uses an optical window in the near infrared spectrum that enables light to pass through. For example, when you hold your hand in front of a strong white light, the tissue can appear red and almost translucent. fNIRS shines light into the skull or muscle tissue, and using special detectors, records the resulting light scatter that returns to the surface.  The light penetrates skin, bone, and alights on the brain before its return trip to the surface detectors, and accomplishes this painlessly without heat. In fact, the subject does not even feel the near infrared energy and the light is harmless. The result is startling images and functional data of the brain at work. The fNIRS Systems (ranging from Educational to High-Density versions) include fNIRsoft software for processing, analyzing and visualizing functional near infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy signals through a graphical user interface. Additionally, the fNIRS Systems work with the BIOPAC MP160 Research System and AcqKnowledge software in conjunction with other physiological signals such as ECG, respiration, cardiac output, blood pressure, electrodermal activity, and stimulus response markers. AcqKnowledge software also provides automated analysis tools for event related potentials and ensemble averaging.

fNIRS brain function application areas include workload assignment, VR,  stress, attention, geriatrics, economics, ergonomics, learning and performance, sports science, HCI, pain perception, and cognitive workload – low or high.

fNIRS Systems can also be used to measure muscle oxygenation data, including oxidative capacity, muscle load, lateral imbalances (left vs. right muscle group) oxygenated hemoglobin and de-oxygenated hemoglobin in muscle activity.

We invite you to enjoy a comprehensive free fNIRS webinar and to visit our fNIRS products page.

BIOPAC offers a wide array of wired and wireless equipment that can be used in your research. To find more information on solutions for recording and analyzing signals such as ECG, heart rate, respiration and more using any platforms mentioned in this blog post, you can visit the individual application pages on the BIOPAC website.

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