Revolutionizing Oxygen Consumption Tracking with Myontec EMG

The ability to measure oxygen consumption (V˙O₂) accurately in training conditions and real-time is a game-changer in sports science, fitness tracking, and health monitoring. Traditionally, measuring V˙O₂ required cumbersome laboratory equipment, making it impractical for real-world use. However, a recent study, "Wired for Breath: The Quest to Predict Oxygen Consumption with EMG, INS, and a Dash of Heart (Rate Variability)," has demonstrated a breakthrough approach using wearable sensors, with Myontec EMG playing a pivotal role.

The Study: A New Era in Oxygen Consumption Estimation

The research aimed to develop a practical method for estimating V˙O₂ during real-world activities such as running and walking. By integrating Myontec’s surface electromyography (EMG) technology with inertial measurement unit (IMU) data and heart rate variability (HRV), the study successfully demonstrated that oxygen consumption can be predicted with high accuracy—without the need for traditional, bulky lab equipment.

The study found that combining averaged EMG, heart rate, and motion data resulted in the lowest average estimation error of 3.41 ± 0.93 ml/kg/min, making it highly reliable for tracking oxygen consumption in athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Out of the collected data EMG was the most accurate alone to track V˙O₂.

Why Myontec EMG Stands Out in Oxygen Consumption Correlation

1. High-Quality Muscle Activation Data

Myontec’s EMG technology measures muscle group activity with unparalleled accuracy. Unlike traditional single-muscle EMG sensors, Myontec’s system provides a broader view of muscle function, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of physical effort and oxygen demand. Myontec EMG is proven to be more accurate also in repetitive measurements comparing traditional EMG devices.

2. Wearable and Real-World Application

Unlike traditional lab-based EMG equipment, Myontec’s sensors are seamlessly integrated into wearable garments, such as MShorts and MSleeves. This design enables accurate, real-time monitoring in outdoor and competition settings, eliminating the limitations of stationary lab environments, preparations or artifact due to sweating.

3. Contribution to Oxygen Consumption Modeling

The study found that even when using EMG data alone, the oxygen consumption estimation error was 5.93 ± 1.09 ml/kg/min. This result proves that muscle activation patterns, as captured by Myontec’s EMG, play a crucial role in predicting metabolic demand—without needing additional data sources. Myontec EMG products are already widely used in injury prevention and rehabilitation. Tracking performance like metabolic power and V˙O₂ with the same smart garments is extension to existing features. Myontec is offering these analysis as service only.

Implications for Sports and Health

Research underscores the transformational power of Myontec wearable EMG in performance monitoring and metabolic assessment. Athletes, coaches, and medical professionals can leverage this technology to:

• Optimize Training Programs – Adjust intensity based on real-time oxygen consumption estimates. Use biofeedback in gym training.

• Prevent Overtraining – Monitor fatigue and metabolic strain more accurately and more effectively.

• Enhance Injury Prevention – Identify muscle imbalances and inefficient movement patterns. Detect muscle relaxation and muscle stiffness.

• Enable Personalized Coaching – Tailor workouts to an athlete’s specific metabolic needs.

The Future: Myontec’s Role in Smart Training Systems

As the demand for non-invasive, accurate and real-time physiological monitoring grows, Myontec EMG is poised to lead the way in sports technology innovation. This study has demonstrated that Myontec’s wearable EMG solutions can serve as a reliable proxy for metabolic data, bridging the gap between laboratory-based science and field-ready applications.

By integrating Myontec wearable EMG into next-generation fitness wearables and smart training systems, athletes and health professionals can unlock unprecedented insights into human performance, making data-driven training the new standard.

The study proves that oxygen consumption can be accurately estimated using Myontec’s EMG technology, alongside heart rate and motion sensors. This marks a significant shift in how we approach metabolic tracking, moving from bulky lab setups to seamless, one wearable solution. With Myontec at the forefront, the future of real-time, accurate, on-the-go physiological monitoring is brighter than ever.

Link to the research Wired for Breath: The Quest to Predict Oxygen Consumption with Emg, Ins, and a Dash of Heart (Rate Variability) by Ashutosh Desai et al in November 2024.