Muscle Activity Analysis with a Smart Compression Garment

Muscle Performance Investigated With a Novel Smart Compression Garment Based on Pressure Sensor Force Myography and Its Validation Against EMG

“… Finni et al (2007) used traditional EMG electrodes incorporated in a garment, whereas Shafti et al (2017) utilized customized, embroidered electrodes, validated with traditional gel-electrodes. Taelman et al (2007) investigated the effect of electrode misalignment in a smart shirt, in the same way as Belbasis et al (2015a) did (cf. Figure 1 of Belbasis et al, 2015a ).…”

“… Taelman et al (2007) investigated the effect of electrode misalignment in a smart shirt, in the same way as Belbasis et al (2015a) did (cf. Figure 1 of Belbasis et al, 2015a ). Ribas Manero et al (2016) , however, did not validate their leggings prototype.…”

“…The sensors measure the pressure exerted by the muscles against the skin by volumetric changes of the active muscles ( Castellini et al, 2014 ; Connan et al, 2016 ). Muscle bulging increases the pressure non-linearly with respect to the increase in muscle force ( Belbasis et al, 2015a ). The most common sensors used for FMG purposes are off-the-shelf FSR (force sensing resistive) sensors, either as single sensors, several sensors ( Connan et al, 2016 ) or sensor matrix arrays ( Zhou et al, 2017 ), that are preloaded, compressed either by tight fitting garments or by elastic bands to the surface of the relevant muscles ( Lukowicz et al, 2006 ; McLaren et al, 2010 ; Zhou et al, 2017 ), Velcro bracelets ( Connan et al, 2016 ), integrated in a textile sleeve ( Ogris et al, 2007 ), equipped with mechanical preload adjustments ( Li et al, 2012 ), or placed inside a forearm orthosis ( Wininger et al, 2008 ).…”

“…The most common sensors used for FMG purposes are off-the-shelf FSR (force sensing resistive) sensors, either as single sensors, several sensors ( Connan et al, 2016 ) or sensor matrix arrays ( Zhou et al, 2017 ), that are preloaded, compressed either by tight fitting garments or by elastic bands to the surface of the relevant muscles ( Lukowicz et al, 2006 ; McLaren et al, 2010 ; Zhou et al, 2017 ), Velcro bracelets ( Connan et al, 2016 ), integrated in a textile sleeve ( Ogris et al, 2007 ), equipped with mechanical preload adjustments ( Li et al, 2012 ), or placed inside a forearm orthosis ( Wininger et al, 2008 ). Belbasis and Fuss (2015) and Belbasis et al (2015a , b) used several customized piezoresistive polymer sensors sandwiched between compression garment and skin. Meyer et al (2006) applied a capacitance pressure sensor array embedded in textiles.…”

“…The aim of this paper was to explore an existing prototype of pressure sensor-based garment ( Belbasis and Fuss, 2015 ; Belbasis et al, 2015a , b ) for opportunities in performance analysis, specifically muscle activation and fatigue, and to validate the prototype against EMG, used as the gold standard for muscle performance assessment.…”