Research | Evolving Consumer

Researchers Look to Develop Concussion-Detection App

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are looking to test an app on approximately 1,000 youth and high school football players. It isn’t to track their performance, but rather could provide a way to recognize concussions. The program reportedly pulls out the vowel segment from a set of predetermined words and then analyzes that sound for changes that may indicate a brain injury.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now estimates that as many as 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur in the U.S. each year. However, because concussion can go undiagnosed, the true number of such injures could be much higher.

In many cases after taking a hard hit players are simply asked, “are you OK,” and now the researchers have looked to develop a test that could be not be swayed by answers from players look wanted to remain in the game. This builds on previous studies that have found that head injuries can change speech characteristics, with negative effects on vowel production being one factor that stands out.

This app could certainly help younger players stay safe and if necessary stay off the field after taking a hard hit.

[Via MIT Technology Review: Voice-Analyzing App Scans Football Players for Concussion]

Truly Elitist

There is nothing wrong with being somewhat “elite.” This is very much true when it comes to handmade bicycles, and the new book The Elite Bicycle by VeloPress offers just why. Written by Graeme Fife with photos by Gerard Brown it includes portraits of some of the world’s greatest bicycle artisans, examining the philosophies, the workmanship, and the personalities behind the prestigious brands.

There are more than 250 photographs along with a foreword by Sir Paul Smith.

The Elite Bicycle offers profiles of Independent Fabrication, Time, Richard Sachs, Ben Serotta, Chris King, Alex Singer, Seven, Brooks, Selle Italia, Ira Ryan, Reynolds, Cinelli, Tony Pereira, Columbus, Guru, Winter, Chas Roberts, Rourke, Cyfac, Faggin, Pegoretti, Condor/Paris, DiNucci, Spécialités TA, Sapim, Royce, Mavic, FMB, and Continental.

Get your elite on.

The Elite Bicycle Official Website

Weekend Reading List (09.21.2013): Concussion Crisis, Used Patagonia, Wet Run

Concussion Crisis

From Sport Techie: The NFL Should Adopt This NeuroTracking Technology Immediately to Help Solve the Concussion Crisis
In the NFL, the risk of concussion is far greater than for almost any other sport. While continued improvements to helmet design and stronger regulations against dangerous play may help limit such risk, one serious issue has yet to be resolved—the return to play. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (09.21.2013): Concussion Crisis, Used Patagonia, Wet Run

Timex/Sodahead Survey on America Work Out Habits

Timex may take a licking and keep on ticking, and now the company that manufactures and markets innovative timepieces has offered the results of a new study that look at people’s workout habits. What is notable about this study is that while there is the perception that most Americans don’t get exercise, according to this Timex/Sodahead.com survey 73 percent of respondents are working out at least once a week. Moreover 29 percent spend between 30 minutes and one hour on their physical activities. Continue reading Timex/Sodahead Survey on America Work Out Habits

Study Finds that Mobile Fitness to Reach 100 Million

As the saying goes 100 million can’t be wrong. According to new study conducted by Juniper Research the next five years will see a major shift towards smartphone- based mHealth, where hardware attachments link to companion app on the smartphone. The Mobile Health & Fitness: Monitoring, App-enabled Devices & Cost Savings 2013-2013 report forecasts that y 2018 there will be 96 million users of app-enabled mHealth and mobile-fitness hardware devices, up from 15 million this year.

Moreover, the report noted that it will be the mFitness sector that will experience strongest growth in the short and medium term, and that this growth will be driven by a motivated target market, as well as an increasing demand for lifestyle consumer applications and a diversifying array of attachments.

“As mobile fitness devices become more widespread, they will pave the way for more critical mHealth services delivered through the smartphone,” said the report’s author Anthony Cox. “While mHealth and mobile fitness are two discrete markets – with divergent audiences – increased usage of the former will stimulate wider awareness of the latter.”

Juniper Research Official Website

Weekend Reading List (09.14.2013): Eye Contact, No Pass for Dopers, Human of Steel, Not Hot Air

Eye Contact

From GearPatrol: Being Seen: Visible Cycling
Hey there. Yeah, you, riding along in your cool color-coordinated cycling team kit, all matchy-matchy. You look real spiffy, so neat you’ll make a great hood ornament. Because that’s where you’re going to end up — on someone’s hood, or like me, under one. Those who really need to see you, can’t. In your fancy attire, you’re invisible to motorists. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (09.14.2013): Eye Contact, No Pass for Dopers, Human of Steel, Not Hot Air

Keep On Rolling

The League of American Bicyclists released its first-of-its-kind report that shows that “women are on a roll” and highlights the power and potential of female cyclists. This report showcased the trend that is being seen across the country; namely that women are changing the face of bicycling, and bicycling is transforming the lives of women.

This report has complied more than 100 original and trusted sources of data and showcased the growth and potential of female riders in the United States. This included focusing on the “5 Cs” including comfort, convenience, consumer products, confidence and community.

According to the report 82 percent of American women have a positive view of bicyclists, while 60 percent of bicycle owners aged 17-28 are in fact women. Moreover, women accounted for 37 percent of the bicycle market in 2011, spending $2.3 billion.

While 89 percent of bike shop owners are male, 33 percent of shops are run by a husband/wife team, and 45 percent of local and state bicycle advocacy organization staff are female. However, the report also found that women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, including the boards of national industry and advocacy organizations — and their membership.

League of American Bicyclists Women Bike Resources Official Website

Biosensor in a Tattoo

Many athletes sport tattoos these days, and other than looking good (or stupid depending on your point of view) that “art” only goes skin deep and truly doesn’t do much. However, a new study conducted by a team led by the University of California, San Diego’s Prof. Joseph Wang has created a flexible electrochemical biosensor that looks much like a “tat.”

Unlike other tattoos that merely are ink, this one is actually a flexible electrochemical biosensor, and when applied to the skin the sensor can be used to continuously measure lactate levels in the athlete’s sweat. It can thus tell when an athlete is about to “hit the wall.”

That’s a lot more than most tattoos can do, and best of all it can be removed post-workout or game.

[Via American Chemical Society: First human tests of new biosensor that warns when athletes are about to ‘hit the wall’]

Weekend Reading List (07.27.2013): Pure Cycling, Speed Thrills, Fat Breath, EVO-lution, ING Out

Pure Cycling

From Bicycle Retailer: LeMond Revolution sponsors Bike Pure team
LeMond Revolution is becoming a supplier and co-title sponsor of the Australia-based anti-doping organization Bike Pure and its road racing team. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (07.27.2013): Pure Cycling, Speed Thrills, Fat Breath, EVO-lution, ING Out

Weekend Reading List (07.20.2013): Head Studies, Board Builder, Kit or Gear?

Head Studies

From The Chronicle of Higher Education: A Brain Gone Bad
Researchers clear the fog of chronic head trauma

The first thing Patient 53 saw as he walked in was a red football helmet. A groan rattled through his vending-machine-sized frame. “The last thing I want to see,” he said, “is a football helmet..” Continue reading Weekend Reading List (07.20.2013): Head Studies, Board Builder, Kit or Gear?

Phone Fitness

Is your mobile phone making you fat? According to researchers at Kent State’s College of Education, Health and Human Services, excessive mobile phone use – including talking, web surfing, game playing, and of course texting can disrupt physical activity and could reduce cardio-respiratory fitness.

What is most worrisome is that it is the youth that could be at greater risk. The researchers reported surveyed more than 300 Midwest college students on their mobile handset use and activity levels, and found that those who spend large times using the devices were less fit than those who averaged little more than 90 minutes of cell phone use each day.

This could suggest putting down the phone and going for a walk, or if you have to talk on it, do so while out on the go.

[Via International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity: The relationship between cell phone use, physical and sedentary activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness in a sample of U.S. college students]
[Via RedOrbit: High Use Of Mobile Phones Linked With Poor Fitness]

Softer Bike Path

Falling on a bicycle is something everyone does unfortunately. We try to avoid it, but whether as kids or adults it hurts. Now researchers at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) are looking to create a new form of asphalt that could help reduce bicycle slide-outs while also provide some added cushion should a rider fall.

While regular asphalt is mostly crushed stones and bitumen, a petroleum byproduct that acts as a binding agent, the researchers are reportedly looking to blend in a bit more recycled tire rubber to soften the mix. This might still be a painful landing, but it could soften the blow.

[Via DN.se: Cyklister får mjuk asphalt]

Flat Running Shoes Still Cool for Novices

According to a new study from the Aarnus University of Denmark flat running shoes present no greater risk of injury even to those who pronate or supinate. The research suggests that novice runners should think about their overall training regime and consider old injuries instead.

This study tracked927 healthy runners – all who wore the same neutral running shoes – and found that 252 had sustained a running-related injury, while the risk regardless of pronation or supination, remained the same. The study did not however address whether supportive running shoes should be used following an injury.

[Via Gizmag: Flat running shoes fine for pronating novices, study finds]