wearable fitness device Archives

Brain Monitoring Headphones

May 12, 2016 by angishields

Health Connect South

Brain Monitoring Headphones

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Karol Hatzilias

Brain Monitoring Headphones

We host Karol Hatzilias, Chief Science Officer of United Sciences, the company that has developed custom-made, personally-fitted brain monitoring headphones. Karol talked about how he had helped to develop a device that gives 3D mapping of the features of the outer ear and canal. Using the data from the 3D scans, his company could print perfect-fitting, custom made ear pieces, which proved to be very useful to hearing aid manufacturers.

After selling his initial company he wanted to build on the 3D imaging capabilities he had developed. United Sciences is using the technology to design wireless headphones that, while providing excellent stereo sound, also contain numerous sensors that can monitor a host of physiologic activities.

The Aware headphones, as they’re called, can provide pulse oximetry, monitor brain wave activity, report steps taken, heart rate, activity of the muscles of the jaw, and potentially others. Because of the secure fit, the headphones provide significant sound protection for the wearer. To provide situational awareness when desired, the user can activate mics on the exterior of the device that allow them to listen to audio and also hear approaching cars or other activity around them.

The Aware hearable can track brain waves through EEG and provide real-time feedback about focus, stress, sleep patterns, and relaxation. This enhanced awareness may help users increase focus, lower stress levels, understand their sleep patterns, and help guide them to be more mindful.

Karol and his team are collaborating with academic institutions to conduct research that may enable these devices to be deployed for a variety of clinical studies, facilitating real-time, real-life monitoring of key biodata. United Sciences is currently raising funds through a Kickstarter campaign, where contributors can pre-purchase a set of the Aware headphones at a discount in exchange for their investment support.

Special Guest:

Karol Hatzilias, Chief Science Officer, United Sciences

Georgia Tech Wearable Computing Center

April 21, 2016 by angishields

Health Connect South

Georgia Tech Wearable Computing Center

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Georgia Tech Wearable Computing Center

Jay Shaffer and I sat down with Maribeth Gandy, Principal Research Scientist, and Director of Georgia Tech Wearable Computing Center. We talked about research the university is conducting in conjunction with ShareCare to look at how wearable and mobile technology can impact stress levels for individuals using these devices.

Check back soon for more information!

Special Guest:

Maribeth Gandy Coleman, Principal Research Scientist/Director, Georgia Tech Wearable Computing Center

Exercise is Medicine

May 7, 2015 by angishields

Health Connect South

Exercise is Medicine

00:00 / 01:00:37

Exercise is Medicine

This week we focused on the value of physical activity to our overall state of wellness. We were joined in studio by Dr. Felipe Lobelo of Emory University, Mike Tinney, of Fitness Interactive Experience, and JP Matzegheit, of Wahoo Fitness. We talked about the physiologic importance of physical activity along with innovative technologies that facilitate inspiring people to get moving.

Physical inactivity now ranks as the 2^nd leading cause of mortality in the world. However, too few health systems and health care providers include physical activity (PA) as part of the prevention and management of obesity and chronic diseases. For 5 years, the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine has helped build local networks to support the systematic inclusion of PA in health care in the US and more than 40 countries in 5 continents via the “EIM Solution”, an evidence-based approach to assessing patients, prescribing appropriate PA and developing community-based PA resources linked to health services and public awareness. The

Large-scale implementation of the EIM Solution across different populations, settings and health care systems is a complex process. The EIM-GRCC serves as a coordinating center for EIM implementation projects by offering state-of –art consultation research and evaluation support, training, policy, cross-national networking and management dimensions of EIM programming to support the initiative.

Fitness Interactive Experience (FIX) has developed a tech platform that incorporates a video game-inspired approach to motivating people to walk and engage in brief periods of other physical activities. FIX provides their application to businesses seeking to improve the health of their employees for use over 6-8 weeks as a fitness challenge. The application uses the popular zombie theme to get the user to walk more each day.

The application interfaces with wearable fitness devices such as FitBit to track physical activity such as walking/running. In order for their character to survive in the game they’ll have to walk while wearing their fitness device to “walk/run” their character to safe zones. The early data from their initial challenges has shown promising statistics regarding the level of participation and engagement by employees using the application.

Wahoo Fitness produces a range of wearable fitness devices designed to give feedback on a variety of physical activities and bio data. The sensors enable athletes to become more efficient runners, swimmers, and riders through the use of accelerometers in the sensors. Additionally, users can train smarter by monitoring heart rate instead of subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE).

Users are able to compare current training session against previous sessions to evaluate number of reps, cadence, and other training data.

Special Guests:

Dr. Felipe Lobelo, MD, PhD, Emory University, Global Health Department, Exercise is Medicine