Researchers in Palakkad develop testing system to assess muscle structure of athletes
Palakkad: Researchers from the NSS Engineering College in Palakkad have developed an affordable testing system to assess athletes' muscle structure and help identify the most suitable sports for them based on their physique. This system aims to determine the ideal sport by analyzing the muscle composition of athletes in a quick, efficient, and cost-effective manner.
The research, led by Prof G Venugopal from the Department of Instrumentation and Control Engineering, was supported by Prof. S. Ramakrishnan from IIT Madras. The research team also included Ramya R. Nair and Divya Sasidharan.
The developed testing method allows for a rapid understanding of muscle structure within minutes, using electrical signals from the skin's surface. Unlike the traditional methods, which involve invasive procedures like tissue biopsies to analyze muscle structure, this new technique relies on non-invasive testing, making it both quicker and cheaper.
The study, which began in 2019 at Parali School in Palakkad, was completed over two years, and the team recently received a patent for innovation. The research model developed at the college lab was tested on athletes. The system allows for the analysis of muscle structure to assist in sports selection, especially for events like short-distance running (100m, 200m) where athletes with specific muscle types perform better. Likewise, it helps identify athletes suited for long-distance running.
This new technology is expected to be beneficial not only in sports science but also in medical studies, physiotherapy, and sports training. It could revolutionise how athletes' abilities are assessed early in their careers, helping coaches create customised training plans and identifying their potential in various sports.
This innovative method will also aid trainers by helping them evaluate muscle composition at the beginning of an athlete's career, thereby improving coaching strategies and training regimens.