Validation of Smart Garments for Metabolic Rate Estimation
Condition: Healthy
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      The goal of this observational study is to assess the use of Myant Skiin garments for the
      purpose of estimating metabolic rate in 20 adult (18-64 yrs) healthy participants. The main
      question it aims to answer is What is the accuracy of metabolic rate estimate from the Skiin
      algorithm utilizing Skiin data, as compared to observation and a gold-standard sensor?

      Participants will be asked to perform a number of scripted tasks and their data will be
      assessed and compared against gold standard wearable indirect calorimetry device (COSMED K5)
      measurements.

      .
    

Detailed description: 
      1. Following consent, the participants will first be asked to fill out a participant
           information questionnaire.

        2. Equipment setup - SKIIN: For the SKIIN garments, participants will use the elastic
           research belt for the study. The belt is an fabric, elastic strap that has been washed
           and sanitized to be worn over the skin at the chest or waist. A private area for
           changing will be provided. The SKIIN sensor pod will be attached to the holster on the
           belt to collect inertial measurement unit (IMU) data and electrocardiography (ECG) data
           similar to the motion and cardiac sensors in many wrist-worn activity tracking systems
           (e.g., Apple Watch). The electrodes must be in contact with the skin to acquire ECG
           data. Data from the Skiin garments will be acquired using the custom research interface
           provided by the supplier. The data is acquired wirelessly and stored on the local
           computer (and no data is sent to the cloud).

        3. Equipment setup - K5 COSMED: For the reference/criterion- standard metabolic measurement
           system, a wearable indirect calorimetry system will be used. This system comprises of a
           mask fitted over the mouth and nose connected to a portable device that analyzes breath
           gas composition and volume. The mask has been cleaned and sanitized prior to use with a
           participant. The data is acquired on the device and stored on a local computer (no data
           is sent to the cloud).

        4. Once the equipment has been set up for the participant, an overview of the activities
           and exercise tasks to be conducted during the protocol will be demonstrated.

        5. Exercise tasks are described in more detail in the attached document. In general, all
           exercises can be modified by the participant to modulate intensity
    

Intervention name(s): Skiin garment and pods
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): Participants will be asked to wear two pieces of equipment to record physiological data:
A Skiin garment that contains IMU and ECG sensors
A Cosmed K5 metabolic cart that will record breathing rate data
Participants will then be asked to perform various tasks of daily living (e.g. watching TV, sweeping the floor), general strength exercises (e.g. squats, triceps dips, lunges), and aerobic exercises (e.g. walking, running) as instructed by researchers
Observational model: Cohort
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        20 (18-64 yrs) healthy participants will be recruited as a convenience sample to validate
        the proposed methods. An n=20 was chosen to permit a breadth of personal characteristics
        regarding gait patterns and balance control behaviour.
      
Keywords: wearable; metabolic; MET minute; calories; physical activity; accelerometer; heart rate