Embrace Dataset

The EMBRACE dataset includes the multimodal dyadic recordings acquired during the final validation phase of the EMBRACE project (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101007521) using the upgraded multimodal EMBRACE system during cooperative and competitive table tennis. In particular, the dataset includes the synchronized dyadic recordings of EEG, ECG, EMG, respiration and kinematics for 36 dyads of male volunteers.

The EMBRACE database was structured according to the Brain Imaging Data Structure 1.10.0 (BIDS, Introduction - Brain Imaging Data Structure 1.10.0), which is a simple and easy-to-adopt way of organizing neuroimaging and behavioral data.

Please note that due to the use of proprietary BTS .tdf files, the dataset cannot be fully BIDS compliant. Nevertheless, the structure adheres to the general BIDS principles and guidelines for organization of EEG and behavioral data.”

In addition,  other 2 files, with general information on the data collected during the EMBRACE multimodal acquisitions, are provided.

These additional files are:

1.  File “participants.tsv”: This file contains information on the volunteers included in the database. It includes the following fields:

a.  Participant ID: the unique ID code of a volunteer

b.  Dyads IDs: the unique ID code of the dyad(s) to which a volunteer contributed

c.  Session: the date on which specific dyadic acquisitions were performed  

d.  Gender

e.  Age

f.  Note: this field specifies which EMG channels were used for the volunteer in a specific dyad, additionally providing information on the tracking of the table tennis ball

g.  Role: this field indicates whether the volunteers was subject 1 or 2 in a dyad

h.  Skill: the total skill level of the volunteer

1.  File “EMBRACE MULTIMODAL DATA 2025 - Participants and Dyads.xlsx”: This file contains 2 sheets providing information on:

a.  All volunteers (Volunteer code, Month and year of birth, Dominant hand, gender, Mother tongue, Head measures (A1-A2, N-I, circumference), EEG cap size, Skill test date and outcome, Volunteer’s age at the time of acquisitions, Acquisition date, Dyad code, Dyadic average skill level)

b.  All dyadic files (for each dyad: Dyad n., Subject 1 code and skill test score, Subject 2 code and skill test score, Dyad code, Acquisition date, EEG filename for subject 1, EEG filename for subject 2, Motion+EMG filename during solo for subject 1, Motion+EMG filename during solo for subject 2, Motion+EMG filenames for all 24 dyadic recordings).

The volunteer folder

Each volunteer folder, identified by the unique volunteer’s code, includes the data acquired during 1 (or 2) dyadic multimodal acquisitions, which are organized in session folder, one for each multimodal acquisition. The name of the session folders is composed of the number of the dyad (such as D12MM, that stands for dyad n.12 made o 2 male volunteers) and the date of acquisition (such as 020425, that stands for 02/04/2025).

The following 2 folders are included in each session folder:

1.  folder “eeg”, which includes multichannel EEG, ECG and respiration data and the related information

2.  folder “motion+emg”, which includes (1) the kinematics of the coated table tennis ball and the EMG data for both subjects in the dyad during the 24 repetitions of the task conditions, and (2) the 2 solo conditions for the two subjects in the dyad (see description in section 1. “Description of the multimodal data” above).

The “eeg” folder includes the following files:

1.  a …_eeg.set file, that contains the raw EEG recordings

2.  a …_eeg.json file, that contains information on the experiment (e.g., name of the project, task description, sampling frequency, etc.)

3.  a …_eeg_channel.tsv file, that contains information on the names and types of channels (e.g., eeg, ecg, respiration)

4.  a …_eeg_electrodes.tsv file, that contains information on the EEG channel layout

5.  a …_eeg_events.tsv file, that contains information on the triggers that permit to identify the various experimental conditions (e.g., solo, start cooperation easy, end cooperation hard, etc.)

The “motion” folder includes 26 .tdf files, each of which contains 2.5 minutes of kinematic and EMG data acquired during a specific experimental condition. Twenty-four of these files refer to the repetitions of the different task conditions (i.e., 4 cooperation easy, 4 cooperation hard, 8 competition easy, 8 competition hard). The repetitions are randomized for all dyads. Files n. 25 and 26 refer to the solo condition of subject 1 and subject 2, respectively.

As an example from Figure 1, the file “sub-BCHVNC_ses-S020425_task-pingpong_BCH1_GST2_020425_CoopHard_2.tdf” includes the data for:

 - subject BCHVNC

 - during the dyadic acquisitions performed on 02/04/2025

 - within the dyad BCH1_GST2_020425

 - for which volunteer BCHVNC was subject 1 (see BCH1)

 - during the performance of cooperative table tennis played at a hard difficulty level (CoopHard)

 - second repetition of this condition (_2)

 

Each .tdf file includes the kinematics of the ball (which is the same for both subjects in a dyad) and the EMG files of both subjects in a dyad. In particular, the first 4 EMG files (files 1 to 4) refer to subject 1, whereas the last 4 EMG files (files 5 to 8) refer to subject 2. For each subject, the four EMG files refer to the signals acquired from the following arm muscles:

 - EMG1 and EMG5: internal biceps

 - EMG2 and EMG6: triceps

 - EMG3 and EMG7: anterior deltoid

 - EMG4 and EMG8: lateral deltoid

These data included in the .tdf files are in the proprietary format of the BTS system and can be open with BTS system.

“The .tdf files are generated by the BTS Bioengineering Smart-DX motion analysis system (https://www.btsbioengineering.com/), a proprietary system for synchronized kinematic and EMG acquisition.”