The Relaxing Effect of Smart Bracelet on Heart Rate in Taekwondo Athletes Before Qualifying for Matches

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health concerns in people’s lifestyles. There are many traditional psychological methods to manage anxiety. Heart rate is the most relevant biomarker of the autonomic nervous system among the various physiological markers. Hence, the increase in the heart rate is associated with a wide range of negative psychological events. Objectives: In this study, a wearable device called a "smart bracelet" was developed and tested to make mechanical oscillations similar to normal people’s heart rates, and then the effect of it was evaluated among taekwondo athletes wearing this device before the matches. Methods: In order to evaluate the results, the heart rate was measured five minutes before the competition, with an average of 81 bpm in the group using the bracelet and 84.42 bpm in the group without the bracelet. The average heart rate in the group with the bracelet was 78.5, and without a bracelet was 92.14 bpm. Results: The results of this study showed that wearable technology inducing mechanical waves is similar to normal people’s heartbeat through the radial nerve, which reduces stress significantly and can prevent an increase in stress.