identify movement patterns that may result in injuries by monitoring biomechanical data such as joint angles , forces , and muscle activation patterns . They can also give athletes and coaches feedback to help them fix poor technique or posture .
The National Sports Institute of Malaysia ( ISN ) is one of the major sports organisations that implement sports science and technology programmes such as the use of biosensors . To incorporate biosensor technology into athlete training and monitoring programmes , the ISN works with researchers and sports professionals .
BIOSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES IN SPORTS
In the past , athlete monitoring was predominantly reliant on subjective observations and manual measurements , which inevitably curtailed the precision and immediacy of assessing an athlete ’ s physiological and biomechanical parameters . The ascension of biosensor technologies has ushered in a new era in sports , imparting the capacity for objective and uninterrupted monitoring .
Biosensors are analytical devices that combine a biological sensing element ( such as enzymes , antibodies , or cells ) with a transducer to detect and quantify specific analytes or biomarkers . In sports , biosensors can measure various physiological and biomechanical parameters including heart rate , oxygen consumption , glucose levels , lactate concentration , muscle activity , joint movements , and more .
The significance of biosensor technologies in sports applications lies in their ability to provide real-time , accurate , and objective data for monitoring athlete performance , optimising training regimens , preventing injuries , and facilitating rehabilitation processes . These technologies have a number of benefits , including portability , non-intrusiveness , and the opportunity for individualised feedback and coaching support .
In recent years , biosensor technologies have advanced significantly for use in sports . Smartwatches , chest straps , and patches are a few examples of wearable biosensors that have grown in popularity because of how simple they are to use and how well they can gather data during workouts or contests . For additional research , these gadgets can wirelessly transfer data to mobile devices or cloud-based platforms .
In addition , biosensor technologies have been coupled with data analytics , machine learning , and artificial intelligence algorithms , extracting meaningful insights from the amassed data . This fusion empowers the creation of personalised training regimens , enables real-time performance appraisal , and facilitates the early identification of potential health hazards or instances of over exertion .
TYPES OF BIOSENSORS USED IN SPORTS
Biosensors used in sports applications employ various sensing mechanisms and detection platforms to monitor and analyse physiological and biomechanical parameters . The types of biosensors commonly used in sports include :
1 . Electrochemical Biosensors : Electrochemical biosensors measure changes in electrical properties resulting from biochemical reactions . These biosensors typically consist of working and reference electrodes immersed in an electrolyte solution . The recognition element , such as an enzyme or antibody , is immobilised on the electrode surface , enabling selective detection of the target analyte . Examples of electrochemical biosensors used in sports include glucose sensors , lactate sensors , and pH sensors .
2 . Optical Biosensors : Optical biosensors rely on the detection of light signals to measure analyte concentrations . These biosensors utilise principles such as absorbance , fluorescence , or surface plasmon resonance to quantify target analytes . In sports applications , optical biosensors are employed for measuring parameters such as oxygen saturation , glucose levels , and protein biomarkers . They are commonly integrated into wearable devices , such as smartwatches or patches , for real-time monitoring .
3 . Piezoelectric Biosensors : Piezoelectric biosensors detect changes in mass or
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