Can Wearable Technology be Used to Predict Exercise Intensity

Overview

There is a knowledge gap in the literature around using watts to measure exercise intensity in walking and running, this is largely due to new technological developments. Whereas the relationship is widely recognised and used for cycling in elite to clinical populations. While the relationship breathing rate and exercise intensity is well established, this are no guidelines using breathing rate as a physiological measure of intensity. New technology may aid to bridge these gaps. The main aims of the study are: - Can the relationship between oxygen uptake and watts during incremental exercise Can breathing frequency be used to determine aerobic exercise intensity The participants will complete two 9 minute incremental accredited exercise tests on the flat around cones and on treadmill at the given speed of walking around the cones. The test will stop at 6.8kph or at participant volition.

The experimental feasibility study involves testing if the wearable technology (Stryd accelerometer) can translate work rate into an accurate measurement of watts (energy produced) within cardiac populations, when compared to V̇o2 consumed. While also testing to see the measured relationship between breathing rate and exercise induced exertion levels. The testing will involve participants working to a sub maximal incremental shuttle walk test pace on treadmill (unto 6.8kph) and following standard procedure on the flat around cones. They will be wearing a Stryd accelerometer attached to their training shoes and Respa breathing monitor attached to their lapel or t-shirt. V̇o2 will be measured using a Cortex Metalyzer 3B. All participants will perform the testing twice in a counter balanced order (i.e participant one will perform the treadmill first, while the next will perform the testing on the flat around cones). Participants will be recruited from the cardiac rehabilitation team at the University Hospital of the North Midlands. The pace of the treadmill will be in line with the constant walking pace required to achieve a steady state at each level of the incremental shuttle walk test protocol. The treadmill will not be an incline as normal testing is on flat surface. The Stryd and Respa will be linked to a mobile device where watts and breathing frequency readings will be gathered, progression to the next stage will be at one minute. Each test lasts for 9 minutes, with a 15-minute recovery period between tests and pre and post exercise tests, participation will take approximately 1 hour. Post testing the participant can remove the device and face mask; while being encouraged to cool down until heart rate is within 20 beats of resting levels but they can leave at any time. Power will be measured in watts from the Stryd accelerometer, V̇O2 will be measured in ml.kg.min, while respiratory rate will be breaths per minute To remove anomalies from the excel sheet, the watts and breathing frequency readings will be taken from smoothing the data within the last 30 seconds of the level. This will allow the participant to adjust to the change in pace and achieve a steady state of walking. The V̇o2 reading will also be taken in the last 30 seconds with the average of the smoothed data used. It is anticipated that all participants will not finish the testing up to stage 9, due to volitional fatigue. All data will be reported and recorded, with a n value for each stage, denoting the power and the perceived drop out at each point.