title: Strengthening of back muscles using a module of flexible strain sensors.
abstract: This research aims at developing a flexible strain module applied to the strengthening of back muscles. Silver films were sputtered onto flexible substrates to produce a flexible sensor. Assuming that back muscle elongation is positively correlated with the variations in skin surface length, real-time resistance changes exhibited by the sensor during simulated training sessions were measured. The results were used to identify the relationship between resistance change of sensors and skin surface stretch. In addition, muscle length changes from ultrasound images were used to determine the feasibility of a proof of concept sensor. Furthermore, this module is capable of detecting large muscle contractions, some of which may be undesirable for the prescribed training strategy. Therefore, the developed module can facilitate real-time assessments of the movement accuracy of users during training, and the results are instantly displayed on a screen. People using the developed training system can immediately adjust their posture to the appropriate position. Thus, the training mechanism can be constructed to help user improve the efficiency of back muscle strengthening.
authors: Department of Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan. wcchuang@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
authors: Wan-Chun
authors: WC
authors: Chuang
authors: Department of Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan. whiting@kmu.edu.tw.
authors: Hwai-Ting
authors: HT
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan. f24930329@gmail.com.
authors: Wei-Long
authors: WL
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D064131:Back Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D058998:Remote Sensing Technology