Monitoring Emotions in Motion: Sports Science Research

No. of Participants:	30
​Nature of Event:	Research
Products Used:	Upmood Mass, Insight, Watch, App
Metrics Collected:	Mood, Stress level, BPM, Exertion, Valence level, Pure PPi, HRV

Chuo University, Sports Science Department

Chuo University, a prestigious institution in Tokyo, is renowned for its research in sports science and human performance. The university partnered with Upmood to explore the application of emotion monitoring in two distinct scenarios: 

1. Group Mood Monitoring: Measuring the emotional states of elderly participants during exercise sessions at a facility.

2. Individual Emotion Tracking: Monitoring the emotional changes of individuals during a full-day ski resort experience.

Mood monitoring is crucial in understanding the psychological benefits of exercise, particularly for elderly populations and individuals participating in recreational sports. By mapping emotions through heart rate variability (HRV) data, Upmood aimed to showcase its ability to deliver real-time, accurate emotional insights. The goal was to understand how physical activities influence emotional states and to validate the effectiveness of Upmood's PPG-based emotion monitoring technology in real-world settings.

Group Mood Monitoring for Elderly Exercise Sessions

Chuo University utilized Upmood's group mood monitoring device, capable of measuring up to 12 individuals simultaneously, in a facility where elderly participants engaged in various exercises. The sessions included light aerobic activities, stretching, and strength training, designed to improve physical and mental well-being.

During the exercises, Upmood's device collected PPG data from the participants, which was translated into HRV and mapped to 11 distinct emotions using Upmood's proprietary algorithm. The emotional states of the participants were monitored in real-time, allowing researchers to observe how different exercises influenced their mood.

The results indicated a general improvement in mood across the group, with specific exercises eliciting more positive emotional responses. The data also highlighted variations in emotional responses among participants, suggesting the potential for personalized exercise programs to maximize emotional benefits.

Why Upmood?

Upmood's technology provided Chuo University with a non-invasive, scalable solution for emotion monitoring. The ability to measure multiple individuals simultaneously in group and individual settings and deliver real-time emotional insights was critical for the study.

Individual Emotion Tracking at a Ski Resort

In the second use case, Chuo University used Upmood's watches to track the emotional states of participants during a full-day ski resort experience. Participants wore the watches from the moment they left their accommodations, throughout the ski session (3-4 hours), and until they returned.

The data revealed how emotions fluctuated during different phases of the day, such as the excitement of arriving at the resort, the physical exertion of skiing, and the relaxation afterward. Notably, the emotional data showed a significant boost in positive emotions during the skiing activity, highlighting the psychological benefits of recreational sports.

The study also demonstrated the practicality of Upmood's wearable technology in outdoor and high-mobility settings. The watches provided continuous, reliable data without interfering with the participants' activities, making them ideal for real-world emotion monitoring.

What we learnt

The partnership between Chuo University and Upmood successfully demonstrated the value of emotion monitoring in both group and individual settings. The studies highlighted how Upmood's technology can be used to:

• Improve emotional well-being through tailored exercise programs for elderly populations.

• Understand the emotional impact of recreational activities, such as skiing, on individuals.

For potential clients, such as senior care facilities, sports organizations, or wellness centers, Upmood offers a powerful tool to enhance emotional well-being and optimize activities based on real-time emotional insights. By leveraging PPG-based emotion monitoring, organizations can unlock new possibilities for improving mental health and overall quality of life.

If you are interested in holding your own mood monitoring research or trying out Upmood products, please send us an email at support@upmood.com!