The following work presents an overview of smart sensors and sensor fusion targeted at biomedical applications and sports areas. In this work, the integration of these areas is demonstrated, promoting a reflection about techniques and applications to collect, quantify and qualify some physical variables associated with the human body. These techniques are presented in various biomedical and sports applications, which cover areas related to diagnostics, rehabilitation, physical monitoring, and the development of performance in athletes, among others. Although some applications are described in only one of two fields of study (biomedicine and sports), it is very likely that the same application fits in both, with small peculiarities or adaptations. To illustrate the contemporaneity of applications, an analysis of specialized papers published in the last six years has been made. In this context, the main characteristic of this review is to present the largest quantity of relevant examples of sensor fusion and smart sensors focusing on their utilization and proposals, without deeply addressing one specific system or technique, to the detriment of the others.

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/16/10/1569/pdf

Sensor Fusion and Smart Sensor in Sports and Biomedical Applications.

Incidence And Potential Pathomechanics Of Patellofemoral Pain In Female Athletes

Effect of kinesiology tape application direction on quadriceps strength

[Purpose] This study compared the analgesic effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy with those of ultrasound therapy in patients with chronic tennis elbow [Subjects] Fifty patients with tennis elbow were randomized to receive extracorporeal shock wave therapy or ultrasound therapy [Methods] The extracorporeal shock wave therapy group received 5 treatments once per week Meanwhile, the ultrasound group received 10 treatments 3 times per week Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale during grip strength evaluation, palpation of the lateral epicondyle, Thomsen test, and chair test Resting pain was also recorded The scores were recorded and compared within and between groups pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment, and 3 months post-treatment [Results] Intra- and intergroup comparisons immediately and 3 months post-treatment showed extracorporeal shock wave therapy decreased pain to a significantly greater extent than ultrasound therapy [Conclusion] Extracorporeal shock wave therapy can significantly reduce pain in patients with chronic tennis elbow

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpts/27/8/27_jpts-2015-297/_pdf

Analgesic effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy versus ultrasound therapy in chronic tennis elbow

[Purpose] Many assumptions have been made about taping and several studies have considered tape application methods; however, the true effect of taping on muscle strength remains unclear. Most previous studies compared application techniques using Kinesio tape (KT), but studies that compared muscle strength using non-elastic tape (NT) are limited. Moreover, no studies have applied KT and NT in the same way to assess grip strength in normal subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of application of two tapes with different elastic properties on maximal grip strength in healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy adults were divided into two groups (KT and NT). Maximal grip strength was measured with a dynamometer. Forearm extensor muscles of the dominant hand were then taped and subjects were immediately asked to perform hand grip movement with maximum strength in the same standardized manner. [Results] In the KT group, maximal grip strength was significantly increased compared to the initial value; however, in the NT group, there was no significant difference in maximal grip strength. [Conclusion] This study suggests that only Kinesio tape can increase maximal grip strength immediately after application on the extensor region of the forearm.

/pdf/effects-of-kinesio-tape-compared-with-non-elastic-tape-on-h01nnguklo.pdf

Effects of kinesio tape compared with non-elastic tape on hand grip strength.

[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to evaluate the change in muscle function induced by a Kinesio Tape application with no or moderate tension, to the dominant and non-dominant arms. [Subjects and Methods] This research was a quantitative study, in which 75 women participated. The subjects, aged 18–30 years, were divided into 3 groups, Kinesio, Kinesio without Tension, and Control, and they were assessed before the taping intervention and after 30 minutes, 24 hours, and 48 hours of taping. [Results] The Kinesio group subjects demonstrated an increase in handgrip strength after 30 minutes, 24 hours, and 48 hours of tape application compared to control. A statistically significant increase in strength was observed in the Kinesio group comparison to the Control after 24 hours and 48 hours for the right hand, and after 48 hours for the left hand. Improvement in the Kinesio group compared to the Kinesio without Tension was observed only after 24 hours of taping application, and only in the right hand. [Conclusion] The Kinesio Taping method augmented the handgrip strength of healthy women, and the increase in grip strength was maintained for 48 hours after its application; the dominant hand demonstrated the greatest strength values.

The effect of Kinesio Taping on handgrip strength

Comparison of the mechanical properties of therapeutic elastic tapes used in sports and clinical practice.

Introduction: Maintaining body temperature by the human body occurs through the control of the autonomic nervoussystem in the cutaneous microcirculation, it is necessary for there to be effective in chemical reactions and consequentmaintenance of homeostasis. The human body exhibits a thermal symmetry. When any asymmetry occurs relating thecontralateral area, there are some evidences of a series of cases, ranging from an inflammatory process to neurovascularchanges. Thermography makes the analysis of the temperature distribution on the surface of the skin, being a tool thatcan be used in assessment and diagnosis of such disorders, contributing to the evolution of the treatment of patientsled to physiotherapy services. Objective: To investigate the importance of thermography as an adjunct diagnostic toolin physical therapy, showing its applicability. Method: This is a literature review using various electronic databasessuch as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science and SciELO, by crossing the term thermography diagnosis andtherapy. The sample consisted of 8 items. Results: Thermography proved a useful tool in the early diagnosis allowingthe evaluation of local excessive friction prostheses muscle injury, occupational disorders, ischemic areas, and jointoverloads beyond the initiation of an inflammatory process, which still showed no signs and symptoms classic, providingthe physiotherapist take preventative measures and perform rapid and effective intervention. Conclusion: It can beconcluded from the present review that thermography can be used as an excellent diagnostic tool for physical therapybecause it is a non invasive method with no side effects, with good sensitivity and reliability.

/pdf/thermographic-a-tool-of-aid-in-physical-therapy-diagnosis-40y5merhik.pdf

Thermographic: a tool of aid in physical therapy diagnosis - literature review.

Kinesio taping effects on the electromyography activity: A controlled randomized and blinded clinical trial

Background: The excessive motion of subtalar pronation of the foot, can cause stress and burden in tissues of the region, giving origin to aches and microtrauma. In clinical practice, excessive movement has been limited to the use oftechniques of bandages applied to the plantar arch. Objective: Was to analyze the influence of rigid bandage in plantar pressure distribution corridors pronators. Method: This is a randomized clinical trial, blinded, with twenty runnerspronators (33±7 y, 71±7 kg, 174±6 cm). Technique was applied bandage (rigid - BR) to support the plantar arch, described as antipronation. Plantar pressure data were collected using the F -scan system in three tests run at 9 km/hbeing: no bandages, rigid taping. We considered seven areas of pressure for data analysis, performed by means ofANOVA for repeated measures followed by paired t test. Results: BR resulted in significant reductions (p<0.05) incontact pressures and peak pressure rearfoot. Conclusion: Thus, we conclude that BR provided decrease in contactpressures and peak pressure foot, being significant on the hindfoot than in the midfoot.

/pdf/influence-of-application-of-the-inelastic-taping-in-plantar-1jb9njs55d.pdf

Thiago Vilela Lemos

Papers

The effect of Kinesio Taping on handgrip strength

Comparison of the mechanical properties of therapeutic elastic tapes used in sports and clinical practice.

Thermographic: a tool of aid in physical therapy diagnosis - literature review.

Kinesio taping effects on the electromyography activity: A controlled randomized and blinded clinical trial

Influence of application of the inelastic taping in plantar pressure of runners pronators.