Why Breathing Modes Matter for Runners

With nearly 40% of people in Singapore running regularly, particularly young men, understanding the nuances of breathing during their workouts is crucial. Runners alternate between breathing through their mouth and nose, often without realizing that the most effective breathing method can vary based on running intensity and environmental conditions.

BreathPro identifies four distinct breathing modes—nasal inhalation, nasal exhalation, oral inhalation, and oral exhalation. By classifying these modes, this innovative technology enhances performance and endurance, enabling runners to adopt different breathing techniques tailored to the intensity of their run.

Imagine being able to receive real-time feedback during your jog, helping you avoid shortness of breath or overbreathing. This technology doesn't just track workouts; it empowers runners with actionable insights to improve their athletic performance.

A Technological Breakthrough

BreathPro stands out as a non-invasive and cost-effective solution for monitoring vital signs. Existing wearable devices typically struggle to distinguish between different breathing methods, thus missing out on valuable data. As Assistant Professor Ma Dong, who spearheaded the project at SMU, explains, this could lead to personalized training using heart rate and breathing data to develop an adaptive coaching system for runners of all ages and fitness levels.

BreatheEasy: The technology showcases an impressive 98.52% accuracy in identifying breathing modes, utilizing a combination of machine learning and a unique method termed the occlusion effect. This phenomenon arises when ear canals are blocked, allowing the microphones to capture clearer sounds of the body's internal workings due to sound amplification.

Groundbreaking Research and Development

To validate their research, the SMU team conducted tests with 25 participants, comparing in-ear microphone data to regular atmospheric noise. The success of BreathPro not only fills a void in the current fitness monitoring landscape but also paves the path toward future wearable technologies that could integrate similar features.

Beyond breathing, BreathPro is also adept at capturing landing patterns—forefoot, heel strikes, and overstrides—adding an extra layer of safety for runners. This critical data could help prevent injuries by providing insights into their running posture.

Commercialization on the Horizon

Excitingly, the researchers have secured a provisional patent for BreathPro, and SMU's Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is actively seeking commercial partnerships to bring this technology to market. With the wearable technology market experiencing rapid growth, the demand for innovative health solutions is higher than ever.

Dr. Sze Tiam Lin, Senior Licensing Advisor at SMU, emphasized the potential of this breakthrough by stating, “Using ear microphones to monitor breathing mode is a truly novel concept. We're eager to collaborate with companies to integrate these real-time, non-invasive solutions into wearable devices, unlocking their potential for applications in healthcare, sports, and wellness sectors.”

The Future is Bright for Wearable Technology!

As in-ear wearable technology continues to evolve, researchers are keen to exploit the natural advantages of ear-worn devices for data collection due to their proximity to vital organs. BreathPro represents a significant leap forward in understanding and optimizing the running experience, promising a healthier, more efficient approach to athletic training across various terrains and conditions.

Prepare to take your runs to a whole new level—BreathPro’s innovations may just change the way you think about breathing during your workouts!