KU athletes monitored to aid NASA research
By DICK GROVE
A KU athlete may provide the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with a consistent method of monitoring an astronaut's heartbeat.
An unusual research project at KU, that uses several KU athletes as subjects, had provided NASA officials with a practicable method for recording physiologic data of heavily perspiring astronauts, or astronauts who become partially submerged in their spacecraft after splashdown.
The project, begun in September, 1965, by Edwin R. Elbel, emeritus professor of physical education, who directs research, is supported by NASA funds at $1.740 a year. The current grant terminates next September.
AFTER ONE-and-a-half years of testing adhesives and waterproofing agents, a practical method of telemetering pulse rates of men in water has been developed.
In the past, NASA officials have stressed recording with consistency body information of an astronaut. In the hostile, unknown laboratory of space, where men are subjected to strenuous physical and mental stresses, more than just voice contact is necessary.
An astronaut's entire physical performance must be telemetered and recorded from the time he enters the space capsule until after splashdown.
However, holding electrodes to the skin of an active man, or an astronaut submerged after splash-down, becomes a problem, not to mention the interference caused by ample physical activity and
moisture seeping into the electrodes or the wires that carry the impulses of the heartbeat to the small transmitter.
ELBEL HAS been aided in his research by several members of the KU swimming team and swimming coach, Dick Reamon, who voluntarily serve as guinea pigs. Even the KU freshman basketball players made their contributions to science when their pulse rates were telemeted during a few practice sessions.
While the men swim, three electrodes attached to their chests conduct the impulses from the heartbeat through wires leading to a small plexiglass box that houses the transistorized transmitter on their backs.
The transmitter, about the size of two cigarette packs joined back to back, sends the heartbeat to an FM receiver. The signal then is monitored to an electrocardiograph. Since the transmitter operates only on a six-volt battery with a sufficiently low current, there is no danger to the swimmer.
According to Elbel there are several difficulties that he and his assistants have faced during the project.
"KEEPING THE electrodes dry and in place is the major problem," Elbel said. "Reducing the effects of the water pressure on the equipment is another.
"We've pretty well licked these problems, though," Elbel said. "We've found that after gluing the face of the electrode to a patch of Kurotex with Duco cement, ordinary rubber cement holds it to the skin and water-proofs it."
Elbel said the experiments are conducted whenever they are allowed to use the swimming pool, sometimes during swimming practice, and sometimes afterward.
Since the main purpose of the project has been accomplished, to develop a method for telemetering pulse rates of swimmers engaged in mild to strenuous swimming, Elbel is collecting data only for consistency.
"It IS DOUBTFUL the grant will be renewed." Elbel said. "Our work is completed. The research can move into a new phase in which scientists will study the effects of water temperature and immersion time on a man's pulse rate."
Aside from the initial interest of NASA, the information gained from Elbel's research will enable science to investigate more accurately and more completely the performance of a man's body under strenuous physical stress.
Good grades pay
NEW YORK—(UPI)A modern-day prize for good grades is free track time at a model car racing center. The Hobby Industry Association of America reports several raceways in the New York suburbs use this system to reward the honor students among their junior miniature car drivers.
Daily Kansas 13
Wednesday, April 19, 1967
Poets to present weekend of art
By SOLVEIG EGGERZ
A variety of literary arts will be offered KU students from April 19-22 when five New York poets will visit the campus.
merous beat and jazz bands dispersed about the area.
ON FRIDAY at 8 p.m. an informal poetry reading will be presented by Antin and Berrigan at 706 Massachusetts.
Announcing SACHEM SELECTIONS
MacLow will read the dance instructions to be followed by the four dancers. Shafiq Naz, Pakistan senior, will provide music on the sitar.
Applications for Sachem Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa are available to Junior Men in the Dean of Students office, 228 Strong Hall. Selections are based on scholarship and extracurricular activities.
The visitors are; Jerome Rothenburg, Armand Schwerner, David Antin, Ted Berrigan and Jackson MacLow. They will meet with literature and writing classes and hold discussions with campus poets.
DUE 5:00 p.m., APRIL 25
Testing fine china
For additional information, call Dick Warner, VI 3-4811
Tomorrow at 8 p.m. a program of poems, songs and dances will be presented in the Kansas Union Forum Room. A main feature of the program will be a dance poem in 40 parts, by MacLow, called "The Pronoun." Six of the parts will be presented.
The poets are playwrights, editors or teachers. Röthenburg is translator of the American version of Rolf Hochnut's play, "The Deputy." Schwerner has written two books, "Domesday Dictionary" and "The Lightning," a book of poems.
Saturday at 1 p.m. Miller has scheduled a potpourri of arts "happening" at Potter Lake featuring art students' paintings hung on trees, readings by writers' workshop students and nu-
All program will be free of charge. Works by the poets can be found in the latest issue of the campus publication, "Grist."
Antin is editor of the avant-garde magazine, "Something." Berrigan works for "Art News" magazine and edits his own poetry journal. MacLow has written three plays and recently published a book of dances.
NEW YORK—(UPI)There are two principal tests for recognizing fine China, reports the Joy Table Service. Tap the rim of the plate with a pencil. China gives off a bell-like ring. Or, place a hand behind the plate and hold up to the light. With china, the shadow of the hand can be seen through the dish.