INTRODUCTION: Biosensors are analytical devices that combine a biological component, such as an enzyme or an antibody to a physicochemical transducer to detect an analyte of interest (1). In the field of sport sciences, monitoring the status of athletic fitness and sporting performance can be evaluated by applying biosensor technology, as they offer rapid and sensitive detection of relevant biological physiological markers from biological samples. The use of saliva and sweat as noninvasive biological samples can offer an easy and stress-free way for monitoring metabolic, immunological, nutritional, and stress biomarkers that are highly correlated with their concentration levels in blood (2). Current developments in biosensing technology and the availability of new novel materials, flexible electronics and wireless mobile technology; should enable a new generation of devices that will operate on the cutting edge sports science research in understanding fitness and athletic performance. METHOD: Surface modification of electrochemical and optical transducers with biological receptors and nanomaterial have been performed to fabricate sensitive biosensors for the detection of physiologically relevant biomarkers related to sports, fitness and wellbeing. Physiological biomarkers significant to health and fitness such as lactate, cortisol and insulin were chosen as they are present in non-invasive biological sample matrix such as saliva and sweat. These biosensors have been evaluated with spiked and real samples. RESULTS: Several biosensors have been developed and optimised for monitoring physiological biomarkers in non-invasive biological samples. The evaluation of these sensor in real saliva and sweat samples have shown good sensitivity and performance. Initial development of these sensors into usable devices are currently being pursued; with cortisol and insulin immunosensing biosensors are being transformed in to lateral flow/electrochemical devices; alpha amylase into a hand held device and lactate into a flexible wearable patch. DISCUSSION: For the past ten years, The Unit of Measurement Technologies CEMIS-Oulu have developed several biosensors for the detection of physiological biomarkers in non-invasive biological samples. Biosensor developmental work has been in collaboration with companies and research partners including the University of Jyväskylä. Further development work and optimisation in developing them into user friendly formats is required. CONCLUSION: Biosensor technology could be the new frontier for sports research as biochemical physiological data of sporting individuals could be collected in the field and in real time. Multiple data set that combine parameters such as heart rate, acceleration and position, muscle fatigue, stress and inflammation will not only be useful for improving performance and competitiveness but also educational in devising individual training programs and effective recovery periods. --- The hosting University of Jyväskylä is planning to publish conference proceedings "Science and Nordic Skiing III". In case you are interested in this publication please contact the editors (Anni Hakkarainen anni.s.j.hakkarainen@jyu.fi) to become registered for the book.
© Copyright 2015 3rd International Congress on Science and Nordic Skiing - ICSNS 2015. 5-8 June 2015, Vuokatti, Finland. Veröffentlicht von University of Jyväskylä; University of Salzburg. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.