ECG from Any Point on Earth: Russian Scientists Conducted a Unique Experiment

For the first time in Russia, scientists of the South Ural State University conducted a complex experiment using ECG T-shirts, which proved the possibility of monitoring the heart of several people at once in a state of continuous movement from anywhere in the world. This will help doctors to monitor patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system remotely and improve the system of training athletes.

The experiment involved three athletes who performed physical exercises on different muscle groups for an hour, while in constant motion. High-precision ECG recorders collected signals from five electrodes from conductive fabric sewn into the T-shirts of the participants in the experiment and transferred them to a computer and a tablet. The first computer downloaded data to the Google Cloud cloud storage, from where they were transmitted to another computer, which theoretically could be anywhere in the world.

Thus, the possibility of remote monitoring of an electrocardiogram of a person with the help of technical means developed at SUSU was confirmed. This technique differs from many similar developments as it records the ECG with high accuracy (it is possible to distinguish the teeth and intervals of the ECG) and during "complex" human movements.

The scientific group includes engineers of the electric drive department of the Polytechnic Institute and the Center for Sports Science of the SUSU Institute of Sport, Tourism, and Service.

"We assume that the second computer will be located in a medical center where the doctor will observe the workings of the human heart. The user of an ECG T-shirt can see his electrocardiogram on his personal computer or tablet and monitor it on his own. We register an electrocardiogram in those conditions in which it was not previously done. When people play sports, ECG signals are highly distorted. In our recorders, the "losses" are substantially less than in standard monitors, and the signals are very quickly restored. This complex experiment allowed us to understand what needs to be done to improve the quality of the recorded ECG signals. This will allow forming methods of training and improvement of athletes using ECG observation of their response to certain loads because ECG and heart rate (HR) are the most objective data on the human body condition," says Vladimir Kodkin, professor, Doctor of Technical Sciences.

The experiments have confirmed the expectations of scientists about the wide possibilities of this monitoring system of the electrocardiogram. The next stage will be the improvement of the complex: both its recording devices and software.

It is important to note that the complex of continuous ECG registration created in the South Ural State University is one of the most important "links" of personalized medicine. It is necessary not only for athletes but also for people with cardiovascular diseases and several other problems. As the research conducted at SUSU, showed, the new ECG registration system will ensure the control of the functional state of people belonging to the most diverse risk groups and those for whom continuous monitoring is necessary.

More information:
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Provided by South Ural State University