Not so sure about this one. One for the underwear-obsessed, perhaps. Imagine your undies emailing your GP to make an appointment. The mind boggles.
Chemical sensors printed on elastic could lead to ‘smart’ underwear
As the technology to support wearable electronics advances, researchers are investigating new ways of making our clothing more “intelligent” – from smart shirts for theater ushers to the development of clothing that can respond to the wearer’s emotive state. So would it surprise you to learn that your humble underpants could one day save your life? A new study has shown that printed sensors on the elastic band of your underpants could monitor biomarkers in your sweat and tears, make autonomous diagnoses and even administer life-saving drugs.
Not so sure about this one. One for the underwear-obsessed, perhaps. Imagine your undies emailing your GP to make an appointment. The mind boggles.
Chemical sensors printed on elastic could lead to ‘smart’ underwear
As the technology to support wearable electronics advances, researchers are investigating new ways of making our clothing more “intelligent” – from smart shirts for theater ushers to the development of clothing that can respond to the wearer’s emotive state. So would it surprise you to learn that your humble underpants could one day save your life? A new study has shown that printed sensors on the elastic band of your underpants could monitor biomarkers in your sweat and tears, make autonomous diagnoses and even administer life-saving drugs.
Whilst the idea below is for general health readings and the (rather creepy) suggestion is that employers may wish to monitor staff health, one early-adopting group could be athletes. Imagine having your fitness level and cardio performance plus a GPS unit implanted into your body. You may still have a display unit on a watchband or handlebar but the ‘guts’ of the monitoring system is in you. Fancy going that far? I reckon it’s not that far away.
Implantable & wearable monitoring devices for the tech-savvy generation
Jarno Riistama from Tampere University of Technology (TUT) believes that an increase in health problems as a result of modern living will encourage us to be more health conscious. However, he estimates it will be another ten years or so before implantable measurement devices for human use are commercially available because of the rigorous testing and approval processes.
In addition to the implantable devices, researchers at Tampere have developed wearable ‘strips’ that measure functions such as EKG directly from the skin. The signals, which are comparable to those produced by existing measurement devices such as pulse counters, are sent wirelessly from the device, removing the need for cumbersome cables.
Whilst the idea below is for general health readings and the (rather creepy) suggestion is that employers may wish to monitor staff health, one early-adopting group could be athletes. Imagine having your fitness level and cardio performance plus a GPS unit implanted into your body. You may still have a display unit on a watchband or handlebar but the ‘guts’ of the monitoring system is in you. Fancy going that far? I reckon it’s not that far away.
Implantable & wearable monitoring devices for the tech-savvy generation
Jarno Riistama from Tampere University of Technology (TUT) believes that an increase in health problems as a result of modern living will encourage us to be more health conscious. However, he estimates it will be another ten years or so before implantable measurement devices for human use are commercially available because of the rigorous testing and approval processes.
In addition to the implantable devices, researchers at Tampere have developed wearable ‘strips’ that measure functions such as EKG directly from the skin. The signals, which are comparable to those produced by existing measurement devices such as pulse counters, are sent wirelessly from the device, removing the need for cumbersome cables.
The key point here is that it works best at the highest fitness levels. So slacking off isn’t an option.
Vigorous Exercise Prevents Hypertension as Long as Fitness Is High
A new analysis of the longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, published online June 1, 2010 in Hypertension, shows that both physical fitness and physical activity are inversely associated with the development of hypertension over a period of 20 years [1]. But importantly, the researchers illustrate that activity was significantly associated with nonhypertensive blood-pressure readings only when fitness levels were the highest.
The key point here is that it works best at the highest fitness levels. So slacking off isn’t an option.
Vigorous Exercise Prevents Hypertension as Long as Fitness Is High
A new analysis of the longitudinal Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, published online June 1, 2010 in Hypertension, shows that both physical fitness and physical activity are inversely associated with the development of hypertension over a period of 20 years [1]. But importantly, the researchers illustrate that activity was significantly associated with nonhypertensive blood-pressure readings only when fitness levels were the highest.
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