When NBA athletes head back to the court next month, some may be donning new rings. Players will have the option of wearing titanium rings that can detect possible signs of COVID-19 by measuring pulse, breathing rate, and temperature. Learn more:
, or shortness of breath. A study is underway at the University of California, San Francisco to help identify COVID-19 patterns so the ring can eventually pick up signs even better.. Fatigue, fever, and respiratory issues could point to any number of illnesses, including seasonal flu, says Peter Chai, MD, an emergency doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
“If you have a fever and your heart rate is high, do you have the flu or do you have COVID?” Chai says. “It may help players identify when they’re not at 100%. But the question is, what do you do with this information?” The Oura ring uses a what is called “digital phenotyping,” Chai says -- a fancy way to describe a technique widely used by devices like smartwatches that gather digital data to better understand people’s behavior, moods, and health. Other tech companies are joining in on the disease detection effort; Fitbit recentlyAlthough the ring has its limits, the aim is to help with testing, not replace it.
An NBA spokesperson says the Oura ring will serve as “the cherry on top” of other precautions, like physical distancing and masks -- off the court, of course -- and strict hand and breathing hygiene. There will also be rigorous cleaning and disinfecting on the campus. And anyone in that space, including players, coaches, and personnel, will have the option of sporting the rings. So far, the NBA is unsure of who exactly will be opting in.
Rai says Oura is in talks with other leagues about using the technology once they follow suit and resume playing. He says he envisions a broader future for Oura than strictly being used in sports settings. The company has developed a health risk management platform to be used in the workforce. Members can share data with a “coach” who can work with people to better understand their health or work with groups to identify patterns.“I think there still needs to be a lot of research done around it.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NBA Prospect Obi Toppin And Brother Soar Over Each Other In Insane Jam SeshFuture NBA lottery pick Obi Toppin and his brother are taking each other to new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic ... by literally JUMPING over each other in an insane dunk session!!!
Read more »
NBA has 16 players positive after 302 COVID-19 testsA total of 16 NBA players have tested positive for COVID-19 from 302 tests conducted last Tuesday, the league and its players union announced Friday. None of the players or teams involved were revealed by the NBA in its two-sentence statement. The NBA season was shut down on March 11 after Utah&39
Read more »
Willie Cauley-Stein Opting Out of NBA Restart, Expecting Baby In JulyDallas Mavericks center Willie Cauley-Stein will NOT join his team in the Orlando bubble when the NBA season resumes ... and it's all because he's got a kid on the way.
Read more »
After playing in the NBA for a record 22 seasons, Vince Carter retires at age 43He started his career with Toronto in 1998, then played for New Jersey, Orlando, Phoenix, Dallas, Memphis, Sacramento and spent his final two seasons with...
Read more »
16 NBA players test positive for coronavirus, league announcesThe NBA announces that 16 out of 302 players tested on Tuesday returned positive results for the coronavirus.
Read more »
NBA, players sign off on final terms for restarted seasonAcknowledging that no option would have been risk-free during a pandemic, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Friday that the concern shared by the league and its players surrounding next month&39;s restart of the season is rising as coronavirus cases in Florida keep climbing. Once players get to Disney
Read more »