33
MEASUREMENT TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
If you are seeing
odd assessment results or inaccurate ECG recordings
, one of the cases listed below
may be the cause. If the potential solution listed for the case doesn’t work, try the other ones one-by-
one until you have tried all of them. If you are still experiencing difficulties, please reach out to
Omegawave so that we can investigate the issue further (
).
Source of
disturbance
Explanation
Potential solution
Wearing the
belt
incorrectly.
If the belt is too small or too large, the belt’s
electrode pads may be positioned on top of the
latissimus dorsi muscle, in which case the
recorded signal will be EMG from the muscle
instead of an ECG from the heart.
Choose a belt that fits snugly so
that the electrode pads will be
positioned on top of your ribs,
about 6 inches (15cm) below the
armpits
(
https://shop.omegawave.com/belt-
sizes
). Also, position the belt so that
the sensor is in the middle of the
chest and on top of the sternum
(i.e. below your pecs), with the
sensor’s text upright.
The belt or the
athlete’s skin
is too dry.
If the belt’s electrode pads are inadequately
moistened prior to the measurement, a high
quality ECG cannot be recorded as the belt’s
conduction will be too low.
Wet the belt’s electrode pads with
water (by running it under a tap or
soaking it in a cup of water), ECG
gel (highly effective and lasting), or
regular moisturizing cream.
If the air is dry, for example during cold winter
months or with strong air conditioning indoors,
the athlete’s skin may be dry in which case the
electrodes require more moisture than would
otherwise be the case.
Moving during
the
measurement.
Any kind of movement, particularly of the arms
and upper body, generates electrical activity
from the associated muscles which can interfere
with the ECG signal being recorded.
Aim to lie supine on a comfortable
surface and remain completely still
during the measurement.
Sitting or
walking
during the
measurement.
Completing the measurement in a sitting
position or while walking will generate
interference from active muscles, thereby
disrupting the ECG signal.
Aim to complete the measurement
in a supine resting position without
moving, talking, coughing, sneezing
or yawning.
Sensor’s
battery level is
low.
If the sensor’s battery level drops below 50%,
the ECG signal being recorded may become
inaccurate on occasion.
Charge the sensor regularly and
particularly if it drops below 50%.
Dirty belt.
Particles from the skin transfer to the belt’s
electrode pads with use and build up over time.
This increases the resistance meaning that the
sensor won’t receive a high quality ECG.
Wash the belt regularly and take
note of the washing instructions
located on the belt (note: use only
liquid washing detergent).
Synthetic
shirts.
Often worn by athletes for training, synthetic
shirts (i.e. quick dry or ‘technical’ shirts) produce
additional static electricity that may interfere
with the ECG signal. This can occur for example
when the air and user’s skin are very dry and
the belt has not been sufficiently moistened.
Apply moisture or in some cases an
antistatic agent to the belt to
resolve the issue, or remove the
shirt
while
completing
the
measurement.
Summary of Contents for COACH
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