title: Improved infrared-sensing running wheel systems with an effective exercise activity indicator.
abstract: This paper describes an infrared-sensing running wheel (ISRW) system for the quantitative measurement of effective exercise activity in rats. The ISRW system provides superior exercise training compared with commercially available traditional animal running platforms. Four infrared (IR) light-emitting diode/detector pairs embedded around the rim of the wheel detect the rat's real-time position; the acrylic wheel has a diameter of 55 cm and a thickness of 15 cm, that is, it is larger and thicker than traditional exercise wheels, and it is equipped with a rubber track. The acrylic wheel hangs virtually frictionless, and a DC motor with an axially mounted rubber wheel, which has a diameter of 10 cm, drives the acrylic wheel from the outer edge. The system can automatically train rats to run persistently. The proposed system can determine effective exercise activity (EEA), with the IR sensors (which are connected to a conventional PC) recording the rat exercise behavior. A prototype of the system was verified by a hospital research group performing ischemic stroke experiments on rats by considering middle cerebral artery occlusion. The experimental data demonstrated that the proposed system provides greater neuroprotection in an animal stroke model compared with a conventional treadmill and a motorized running wheel for a given exercise intensity. The quantitative exercise effectiveness indicator showed a 92% correlation between an increase in the EEA and a decrease in the infarct volume. This indicator can be used as a noninvasive and objective reference in clinical animal exercise experiments.
authors: Department of Electronic Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Chi-Chun
authors: CC
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Electrical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Ming-Wen
authors: MW
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Ching-Ping
authors: CP
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Wen-Ying
authors: WY
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Electronic Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors: Shin-Chieh
authors: SC
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Medical Research, ChiMei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Mao-Tsun
authors: MT
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Electrical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Chin-Lung
authors: CL
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002138:Calibration; D004867:Equipment Design; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000473:pathology; D007259:Infrared Rays; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012420:Running; D012984:Software