Is anyone interested in taking part in this? If so I'll send details
Sam
I am writing to you in the hope that you and / or your colleagues may
be
able to help some academic research.
I am a postgraduate research student in the department of physics at
Lancaster University. The section I am in is undertaking research into
the
dynamics of the cardiovascular system. In particular we are looking at
the
coupling between heart rate, respiration and other oscillatory vascular
processes.
Clearly the expansion and contraction of the chest cavity has a
mechanical
effect on blood pressure and flow. However establishing a robust,
usable,
mathematical model to describe the nature of the interactions is
proving
difficult.
To help with the development of the model I have suggested that we
investigate cardiovascular dynamics in the absence of respiration. To
support this we have been developing an experimental protocol with the
help of an experienced free diver, Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler. The
experimental regime complies with Lancaster University's ethical code
and
has been approved by the University's Ethics Committee.
The experiments do NOT involve administration of any drugs and do NOT
involve any invasive measurements. The experiments would be conducted
with
participants lying on a bed. The instrumentation we use includes ECG,
EEG
and various blood flow / oxygenation sensors.
Currently the experiments consists of two series of measurements
1) 30 minutes with the participant lying down and breathing naturally
2) A
sequence of 10 consecutive 4 minute cycles. Each cycle consists of a 90
second breath up followed by a 150 second breath hold.
The regime presented no difficulties for Anne-Marie when she visited
Lancaster. However, we anticipate that the 90 second breath up period
could be extended to accommodate divers who require a slightly longer
breath uptime. Anne-Marie has suggested that some free divers who could
achieve 150 second breath hold may start to experience involuntary
contractions of their abdomen towards the end of the breath hold. We
hope
to avoid this, so we are suggesting that only divers who can
successfully
breath held for 200 seconds should participate.
For statistical meaningful results the tests we have set a target of at
least 15 participants.
To assess whether we are likely to achieve this I am writing to
somepotential candidates now. We are still refining the instrumentation
and it is likely to be several months before we start large scale
measurements. Prior to participants visiting the Physics department
participants would be sent a description of the experiments and a
consent
form would be sent to potential participants. The experiments would be
complete within a day.
The University pays travel expenses for participants.
Would you or your colleagues be interested in participating?
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you
Norman Turner
Sam
I am writing to you in the hope that you and / or your colleagues may
be
able to help some academic research.
I am a postgraduate research student in the department of physics at
Lancaster University. The section I am in is undertaking research into
the
dynamics of the cardiovascular system. In particular we are looking at
the
coupling between heart rate, respiration and other oscillatory vascular
processes.
Clearly the expansion and contraction of the chest cavity has a
mechanical
effect on blood pressure and flow. However establishing a robust,
usable,
mathematical model to describe the nature of the interactions is
proving
difficult.
To help with the development of the model I have suggested that we
investigate cardiovascular dynamics in the absence of respiration. To
support this we have been developing an experimental protocol with the
help of an experienced free diver, Anne-Marie Kitchen-Wheeler. The
experimental regime complies with Lancaster University's ethical code
and
has been approved by the University's Ethics Committee.
The experiments do NOT involve administration of any drugs and do NOT
involve any invasive measurements. The experiments would be conducted
with
participants lying on a bed. The instrumentation we use includes ECG,
EEG
and various blood flow / oxygenation sensors.
Currently the experiments consists of two series of measurements
1) 30 minutes with the participant lying down and breathing naturally
2) A
sequence of 10 consecutive 4 minute cycles. Each cycle consists of a 90
second breath up followed by a 150 second breath hold.
The regime presented no difficulties for Anne-Marie when she visited
Lancaster. However, we anticipate that the 90 second breath up period
could be extended to accommodate divers who require a slightly longer
breath uptime. Anne-Marie has suggested that some free divers who could
achieve 150 second breath hold may start to experience involuntary
contractions of their abdomen towards the end of the breath hold. We
hope
to avoid this, so we are suggesting that only divers who can
successfully
breath held for 200 seconds should participate.
For statistical meaningful results the tests we have set a target of at
least 15 participants.
To assess whether we are likely to achieve this I am writing to
somepotential candidates now. We are still refining the instrumentation
and it is likely to be several months before we start large scale
measurements. Prior to participants visiting the Physics department
participants would be sent a description of the experiments and a
consent
form would be sent to potential participants. The experiments would be
complete within a day.
The University pays travel expenses for participants.
Would you or your colleagues be interested in participating?
Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you
Norman Turner