Qatar Foundation International (QFI) Executive Director, Maggie Salem, has used a new monitoring device developed at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Rasad, in the Boston Marathon. QSTP and Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital have partnered with Qatar Foundation International (QFI) to showcase the innovative monitoring technology. Salem ran the Boston Marathon on April 18 hooked up to the sensors of the Rasad remote monitoring platform. Salem is participating in the Marathon as a volunteer runner on the Boston Arts Academy’s team, a member of QFI’s Global Schools Network. Abdulla al-Naimi, Rasad IT Manager, at QSTP said, “This is a perfect collaboration and chance to showcase how Rasad monitors the physiological state in real time. As the Boston Marathon is a well renowned event, we also hope to make this experience remarkable for everyone involved. The Rasad platform will allow a variety of different sensors to collect data as Salem runs the 26-mile marathon and accurately transmit the information wirelessly to a central server that will process the data, providing real time customised graphical interfaces as well as alarms per predefined physiological conditions predefined into the platform.” The Rasad platform has been internationally recognised as a valuable tool to manage the performance of athletes by providing accurate data on their physiological capabilities. Also in the world of sports, Rasad has been able to improve athletes’ or amateurs’ performances by monitoring their physiological state during training. A recent application of the platform has been in monitoring endurance horses. “The benefits of running in the historic Boston Marathon are manifold. Not only will this aid important research and technology development for endurance athletes but it will also raise money for the Boston Arts Academy - the city’s first and only public high school for the visual and performing arts,” said Salem. QFI started an Arabic Language and Culture programme at Boston Arts Academy high school in 2009. The programme provides an opportunity for students from a wide variety of backgrounds to acquire basic Arabic language skills.

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