Strain Gauge

Alongside physics, I've taken interest in the ability to apply models toward exercise science applications. I learned the basics of designing a training program while in high school and applied it toward my rock climbing and track and field training. One of the most interesting areas of study, especially for rock climbing are energy systems. The ability to train and maintain explosive individual moves while also having the endurance to continue climbing when you're tired and recover is the hardest thing to balance in a training program. I learned about the application of measuring maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) with a force sensor. Unlike a traditional scale which gives just one measurement, a strain gauge reports a reading multiple times each second. This can be used to better understand how and when an athlete gets tired, which is applied to target specific goals or weaknesses while training. Last summer I made a prototype using an Arduino Uno, load sensor, and blue-tooth app designed in App Inventor 2. In the future I plan to rebuild it to be smaller using an Arduino Nano, improve the app, and possibly distribute it to friends who have followed my progress and are interested in buying a strain gauge in their own training routines.