Zephyr™ Performance Systems: Frequently Asked Questionss

Questions about wearable technology and how it works? Find answers here for:

  • Zephyr™ Performance Systems — for sports teams, elite athletes, first responders and the military
  • HxM Heart Rate Monitors — for consumers

Zephyr™ Performance Systems provide the most comprehensive physiological and biomechanical monitoring through a combination of garments, hardware, OmniSense™ software, and wireless communication.

Garments

What garments are available?

Garments include straps (with shoulder attachment), compression shirts, padded straps and shirts, and loose fit shirts, and the BioPatch™ HP monitoring device.

What garment sizes are available?

Compression shirts come in 13 sizes. Straps come in two adjustable sizes (S, L). Loose fit shirts come in four sizes (M, L, XL, 2XL). Padded straps and shirts come in the same sizes as above, and the BioModule™ (see Hardware section) is covered in padding.

Do the straps fit females?

Yes. The recommended wearing location for both men and women is on the chest at the lower sternum. The strap fits comfortably under bras and athletic tops.

How comfortable is the system? Are wearers conscious of it?

The 50 mm wide fabric strap is much broader and more comfortable than plastic sports-type heart monitor straps. Wearers are conscious of the tension in the garment, but Zephyr™ wearable technology is not irritating and should not distract wearers from their activities.

Is a sports bra available for females?

Not right now, but one is in product development.

How do you wash the garments and what is their life span?

Hand wash garments with mild soap and water and hang them to dry. Or, you can use soft or delicate wash cycles. Please don’t use hard detergents and bleach because they cause garments to lose their functionality.

Do garments come with a warranty?

Yes, for 80 washes.

Are garments available in PMS colors?

No.

Hardware

What are the hardware components?

The BioModule™ (sometimes referred to as the “puck”) is the core of the Zephyr&trade Performance System. It weighs 18 grams and “snaps” into the holder. You can add other elements to make up a full Zephyr&trade system: GPS devices, watches, accessory cases, gateways, repeaters, charging cradles, cases and scanners.

How is the BioModule™ powered?

With a lithium polymer rechargeable cell. Charging is by USB or other power source: three hours to 100 percent or one hour to 90 percent of capacity. Battery life in logging mode is up to 35 hours.

What inputs are gathered by the system?

ECG, respiration, estimated core body temperature, accelerometry, time and location.

What biometrics are derived from the six inputs?

Heart rate (HR), breathing rate, heart rate variability (HRV), HR confidence, estimated core body temperature, impact, activity, caloric burn, posture, % HR max, % HR at anaerobic threshold (AT), accelerometry, physiological and mechanical loads and intensities, training loads and intensities, jump, bounds, leaps, explosiveness, peak force, peak acceleration, GPS speed, GPS distance and GPS elevation.

What insights can be gathered from the biometrics?

Fatigue, readiness, safety, overtraining or undertraining evaluation, fitness improvement, caloric expenditure and burn, agility, athlete management via intensity and load and stress. Refer to the Physiological and Biomechanical page for more information.

How does the breathing detection work?

The expansion and contraction of the thoracic cavity generates a size differential that’s measured by the strap. The differential is picked up by the strap sensors and sent to the BioModule, which is located on the strap. The BioModulesignal processing function produces a waveform and breathing rate in breaths per minute. In the Zephyr&trade PC application, inhalation is denoted by a downward trend in the breathing waveform because the distance between the sensors in the strap is decreased (compressed) due to thoracic expansion. Exhalation causes an upswing in the waveform because the distance between the sensors is increased. Respiration at rest typically appears as a sine wave; respiration with activity typically appears as a higher frequency sine wave.

Are there safety concerns related to use of the BioModule™ in contact sports?

Independent testing was done on the impact of an 85 MPH baseball on the BioModule. It passed. Zephyr™ Performance Systems are used by athletes in football and rugby as well as in non-contact sports such as basketball and soccer.

OmniSense™ Software

What software is used in Zephyr™ Performance Systems

Downloadable OmniSense™ 4.0 and OmniSense™4.1 (a maintenance release) software provide an interface that enable users to view data. The Live module displays streaming live data. The Analysis module displays data that is logged (recorded) during live operations.

What operating systems are supported?

Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 and 10 (32 or 64 bit). Linux and Mac systems are not currently supported.

How many wearers can be monitored?

Up to 100 live and an unlimited number in logged mode.

If the system is used for named wearers, how many data collection sessions are needed to build up individual profiles that can be used as benchmarks for those individuals?

A single exercise protocol can be devised that establishes heart rate and breathing behavior during exercise and recovery periods.

How is performance measured?

The system can calculate and record the parameters listed below. Trend analysis shows a decrease or increase in these values, either during an activity or during a controlled fitness test. This indicates an individual’s relative improvement in (or loss of) performance.
  • Maximum heart rate
  • Maximum breathing rate
  • Breathing rate at second ventilatory threshold (VT)
  • Heart rate at VT
  • Heart rate recovery

How useful is performance data?

The best use of Zephyr™ Performance Systems is when it’s part of a training regime that includes periodic controlled fitness tests. The tests establish and record or update parameters that measure a wearer’s cardiopulmonary performance level. The real-time display is color coded to reflect an individual’s performance relative to the stored values, so it becomes evident how hard an individual is working.

How are the measurements displayed?

Measurements are displayed as real-time data or downloaded data, which allows you to view data after a training exercise. The data is shown as a combination of graphs, figures and icons that provide a visual warning and alerts when a wearer’s measurements exceed safe thresholds.

Is ECG data logged on the device?

Yes, ECG is logged and available for download with viewing through external tools such as Kubios.

How should the ECG be used?

The ECG is indicative and useful for troubleshooting, comparison of noise levels and so on. You should not make a clinical diagnosis using the ECG, although features such as ectopic heart beats are clearly displayed.

Can the data be exported?

Yes, to a .csv and .zsf file.

Which database is used to create the threshold levels and measurement benchmarks?

You can export BioModule™ data to any database capable of supporting the .csv file format.

Can the data be backed up to removable storage?

Yes, although currently you need to back up data manually. See the Omnisense™ 4.X software user guide for instructions.

Wireless Communication

How does the BioModule™ communicate?

It communicates with OmniSense™ software via Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE), which has a range of approximately 10 meters, and ECHO , which has a range of approximately 1,000 meters with the use of a gateway.

How do defense and first responders set up BioModule™ communication?

Many pair the BioModule™ with their tactical radio transmitters. It’s easy to set up and deploy short- and long-range connections to “local” or “over the horizon” command stations. Solutions include Thales MBITR, JEMS, Motorola XTS and Trellisware. Voice and data use the same radio transmission with voice priority.

HxM Heart Rate Monitors

HxM monitors work with your favorite app to provide personal performance monitoring.

Will the HxM monitors work with my phone?

Yes, when you use a third-party app. You’ll need to check with the software providers to confirm that your phone is supported. The HxM BT is designed for use with Android and BlackBerry phones. The HxM Smart is compatible with iPhone 4s and iPhone 5.

Can I access accelerometer data from the device?

Not directly. The HxM monitors have an internal accelerometer and output stride, speed and distance data based on these outputs and heart rate. This information can be used by an application, but raw accelerometer data isn’t available.

Can I access heart rate variability?

Yes, if the application you are using does so. Heart beat detection timestamps are part of the output.

How do the speed and distance applications work?

The device has an internal accelerometer. It uses impact detection and an algorithm to calculate speed and distance. Any application that makes use of this data should include a calibration procedure for each individual.

Can the HxM monitors calculate cadence when I'm cycling?

No. The internal accelerometer detects impacts only when you walk or run. The data can provide cadence for these activities, but there are no regular impacts to detect when you cycle.

Does the device contain a rechargeable battery?

The HxM BT contains a lithium polymer rechargeable battery that lasts up to 30 hours between charges.
The HxM Smart contains a disposable CR2032 coin cell battery that provides up to 150 hours of use.

Do the HxM monitors come with a battery charger?

Yes, each one comes with a cradle and USB connector. You can use any USB charge source. A full charge takes three hours; a 90 percent charge takes one hour.

Is the chest strap available in multiple sizes?

The chest strap is adjustable. If it isn’t large enough, an extension is available.

Is an HxM monitor waterproof?

Yes, the case is ultrasonically sealed, but it won’t work underwater. Bluetooth can’t transmit, and the ECG detection circuit becomes compromised.

What are the warranty terms?

Faulty devices or straps can be replaced up to one year from purchase.

The System

Zephyr Performance Systems device

The Benefits

Zephyr Performance Systems benefits

Our Users

Zephyr Performance Systems how to buy

Healthcare

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