Telemetering Physiologic Data from Athletes

Abstract

Employing a team composed of physicians, electrical engineers, and specialists in physical education, significant dynamic physiological data has been gathered by means of radiotelemetry from athletes undergoing strenuous effort, participating in team sports, and from spectators viewing football games. Using a transistorized A.M.-F.M. transmitter carried in a padded compartment strapped comfortably onto the low back and weighing 30 oz. complete, ECG, pulse, temperature and respiration signals have been transmitted for distances up to 500 yards. The multiple technical problems surrounding distance telemetering of physiological information during active and vigorous muscular effort are discussed. Somatic muscle interference, the most troublesome artefact in dynamic electrocardiography, has been successfully circumvented by instantaneous recording of data from the momentarily inactive subject. Application of computer techniques to the analysis of exercise electrocardiograms must await procedural improvement and standardization and collection of adequate data on which to base valid programming.