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Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Health, Well-Being and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2020) | Viewed by 59196

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Borja Sañudo

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Guest Editor

Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
Interests: new technologies; fitness; rehabilitation; clinical populations; exercise; active aging
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Prof. Dr. Antonio Jesús Sanchez-Oliver

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Guest Editor

Departamento de Motricidad Humana y Rendimiento Deportivo, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
Interests: sport nutrition; sport supplements; sport performance; health habits; physical fitness; body composition; obesity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Grant Abt

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Guest Editor

Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, Hull, UK
Interests: new technologies; fitness; physical activity; exercise

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The number of new consumer digital technologies is growing exponentially and today it is almost impossible to disassociate them from our lifestyle. The enormous interest in these types of devices has led to wearable technologies being rated as the primary trend in fitness worldwide with considerable increases in sales predicted over the coming decade. Advances in embedded sensors, increased battery life, increased processor speed, and the wide availability of 4G/5G mobile networks is enabling rapid advancements in these digital technologies. Interest among researchers is also growing exponentially as judged by the number of studies being published on consumer digital technologies. However, many of these new technologies have not been evaluated rigorously for either efficacy or effectiveness. The aim of this special issue is to provide a practical, evidence-based vision of how to use technologies for the evaluation and control of variables related to Healthy Lifestyles, especially focusing on physical activity for the promotion of health in different populations, including children, special populations (i.e., clinical conditions, pregnant women or older adults) or even environments (i.e., occupational settings, schools or at home).

Study examples:

How has the impact of 'care pathway technologies' on service integration in stroke care been measured and what is the strength of the evidence to support their effectiveness in this respect?
The effectiveness of interventions in workplace health promotion as to maintain the working capacity of health care personal.
The use of e-health and m-health tools in health promotion and primary prevention among older adults: a systematic literature review
Feasibility of assessing diet with a mobile food record for adolescents and young adults with down syndrome
Addressing healthy aging populations in developing countries: unlocking the opportunity of eHealth and mHealth
Living Labs: overview of ecological approaches for health promotion and rehabilitation
The lifestylisation of healthcare?'Consumer genomics' and mobile health as technologies for healthy lifestyle
Digital technologies for promotion of healthy eating habits in teenagers

Dr. Borja Sanudo
Dr. Antonio Jesús Sanchez-Oliver
Dr. Grant Abt
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Wearable technology
Biosensors
Medical signal detection
Physical activity
Exercise
Nutrition
Habits
Validity
Reliability
Big data analysis
Data monitoring
Health promotion

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Whole-Body Vibration as Antihypertensive Non-Pharmacological Treatment in Hypertensive Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis: Randomized Cross-Over Trial

by Eloá Moreira-Marconi, Vanessa da Silva Caiado, Ygor Teixeira-Silva, Alexandre Gonçalves de Meirelles, Marcia Cristina Moura-Fernandes, Patrícia Lopes-Souza, Aline Reis-Silva, Danúbia C. Sá-Caputo, Laisa L. Paineiras-Domingos, Ana Cristina Rodrigues Lacerda, Vanessa Amaral Mendonça, Ricardo Gonçalves Cordeiro, Redha Taiar, Alessandro Sartorio, Alexei Wong, Borja Sañudo and Mario Bernardo-Filho

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 8944; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218944 - 28 Oct 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2948

Abstract

(1) Background: Hypertension is a serious medical condition characterized by a persistent increase in blood pressure (BP), which is prevalent in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Pharmacological interventions are normally used to treat both hypertension and KOA; however, a more sustainable form of treatment is desirable for these clinical conditions. Whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise has been proposed as a non-pharmacological therapy for reducing both BP and KOA symptomatology. This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of WBV in hypertensive individuals with KOA. (2) Methods: Nineteen hypertensive individuals with KOA were randomly allocated to either a control (CG) (n = 9) or a WBV group (WBVG) (n = 10). Subjects in the WBVG were positioned sitting in a chair in front of a vibrating platform (VP) with the feet on the base (peak-to-peak displacement 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mm; frequencies 5 to 14 Hz). In the CG, subjects assumed the same position with the VP turned off. The protocols in the CG and WBVG were performed 2 days/week for a total of 5 weeks. (3) Results: No baseline differences (age, anthropometrics, BP parameters and medications) between the groups were found (p > 0.05). WBV exercise reduced systolic BP (SBP: 126.1 ± 2.7 versus 119.1 ± 3.2 mmHg; p = 0.001; post hoc: p = 0.02; F = 23.97) and mean BP (MBP: 82.6 ± 1.8 versus 78.7 ± 1.8, p = 0.001, post hoc: p = 0.02; F = 23.97), while no significant changes were found in diastolic BP (DBP: 68.5 ± 2.2 versus 64.4 ± 2.3; p = 0.11; F = 2.68). (4) Conclusions: WBV might be considered a sustainable therapy for exerting an antihypertensive effect in medicated hypertensive individuals with KOA. This decline in BP might translate to a reduction in pharmacological need, although further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms underlying the described effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

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13 pages, 250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Placement of Fitbit HR under Laboratory and Free-Living Conditions

by Hyun Chul Jung, Minsoo Kang, Nan Hee Lee, Soeun Jeon and Sukho Lee

Sustainability 2020, 12(16), 6306; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166306 - 5 Aug 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2786

Abstract

Wrist-worn activity monitors have become accessible for measuring physical activities, but an activity monitor’s accuracy worn at different placements is not well understood. This study aimed to examine the differences in measurements of heart rates, step counts, and calories estimated from the fitness tracker worn at different locations and the accuracy of Fitbit HR against criterion measures. Thirty-two healthy adults participated in this study. Participants wore Fitbit HR at four different locations (right proximal, distal, and left proximal, distal). Treadmill exercise consisted of five 5-min phases including slow walking and jogging. Free-living activities involved ten 5-min activities with four different intensities. We found that the placement of Fitbit HR has no significant influence on the measurement outcomes overall. However, significant differences were observed in the step counts between left and right while climbing stairs (p = 0.003) and sports activities (p < 0.001). The accuracy of Fitbit HR measurements against the criterion measure was moderate. However, we found out that Fitbit HR overestimated the calories regardless of their positions and activity types. In conclusion, the different placements of Fitbit HR do not have a significant influence on the measurements and Fitbit HR was moderately associated with criterion reference devices for measures of heart rate and steps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

12 pages, 271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Objectively-Assessed Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Smartphone Use, and Sleep Patterns Pre- and during-COVID-19 Quarantine in Young Adults from Spain

by Borja Sañudo, Curtis Fennell and Antonio J. Sánchez-Oliver

Sustainability 2020, 12(15), 5890; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12155890 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 138 | Viewed by 16609

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of COVID-19 home confinement on physical activity, sedentary behavior, smartphone use, and sleep patterns. Data was collected in a sample of 20 young adults (mean age ± SD: 22.6 ± 3.4 years; 55% males) over seven days pre- and during the COVID-19 lockdown. Objective and subjective physical activity (Accelerometer and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), respectively), the number of hours sitting (IPAQ), objectively-measured smartphone use (smartphone screen time applications), and objective and subjective sleep (accelerometer and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively) were assessed. Results revealed significantly greater walking time and mean steps (p < 0.001, d = 1.223 to 1.605), and moderate and vigorous physical activity (p < 0.05, d = 0.568 to 0.616), in the pre- compared with the during-COVID-19 lockdown phase. Additionally, smartphone use (p = 0.009, d = 0.654), sitting time (p = 0.002, d = 1.120), and total sleep (p < 0.004, d = 0.666) were significantly greater in the during- compared with the pre-COVID-19 lockdown phase. Multiple regressions analyses showed associations between physical activity and sedentary behavior and sleep quality. The number of hours sitting per day and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly predicted deep sleep (adj.R² = 0.46). In conclusion, this study revealed that during the COVID-19 outbreak, behaviors changed, with participants spending less time engaging in physical activity, sitting more, spending more time using the smartphone, and sleeping more hours. These findings may be of importance to make recommendations, including lifestyle modifications during this time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

9 pages, 1040 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validity and Reliability of a Smartphone Accelerometer for Measuring Lift Velocity in Bench-Press Exercises

by Javier Peláez Barrajón and Alejandro F. San Juan

Sustainability 2020, 12(6), 2312; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062312 - 16 Mar 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3221

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability that a smartphone accelerometer (ACC) used by a mobile basic program (MBP) can provide to measure the mean velocity of a bench-press (BP) lift. Ten volunteers participated in the study (age 23.1 ± 2.5 years; mean ± SD). They had more than one year of resistance training experience in BP exercise. All performed three attempts with different loads: 70%, 90%, and 100% of the estimated value of the one-repetition maximum (1RM). In each repetition, the mean velocity was measured by a validated linear transducer and the ACC. The smartphone accelerometer used by the mobile basic program showed no significant differences between the mean velocities at 70% 1RM lifts (ACC = 0.52 ± 0.11 m/s; transducer = 0.54 ± 0.09 m/s, p > 0.05). However, significant differences were found in the mean velocities for 90% 1RM (ACC = 0.46 ± 0.09 m/s; transducer = 0.31 ± 0.03 m/s, p < 0.001), and 100% 1RM (ACC = 0.33 ± 0.21 m/s; transducer = 0.16 ± 0.04 m/s, p < 0.05). The accelerometer is sensitive enough to measure different lift velocities, but the algorithm must be correctly calibrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

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11 pages, 2713 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Validation of a Wearable Accelerometer-Based Activity Monitor for Use in Future Osteoporosis Prevention Programs

by Horacio Sánchez-Trigo, Antonio Jesús Sanchez-Oliver, Grant Abt and Borja Sañudo

Sustainability 2020, 12(6), 2187; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062187 - 12 Mar 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3058

Abstract

Osteoporosis is considered a major public health problem worldwide. In order to develop effective physical exercise protocols for the prevention of osteoporosis and ensure skeletal integrity, the intensity of the exercise must be quantified objectively and accurately. This study aimed to assess the validity of a wearable accelerometer-based activity monitor for use in osteoporosis prevention programs. Eighteen premenopausal women completed an exercise protocol consisting of five countermovement jumps followed by four treadmill bouts at different speeds. Participants carried two pairs of accelerometers (Muvone^® and ActiGraph GT3X+) located on the wrist and hip. Three types of analysis were performed: (1) association between measurements from both devices; (2) level of similarity in group estimates; and (3) evaluation of measurement bias. High to almost perfect correlations between the peak acceleration measured by both devices were found in all protocol tests (r = 0.607–0.975, p < 0.001). Differences in group estimates were non-significant and measurement bias between devices was below 6%. In conclusion, the validity of Muvone^® to quantify acceleration has been tested at both the wrist and hip and could be used to assess mechanical loading during physical activities for the implementation of population-wide osteoporosis prevention programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

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16 pages, 744 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing Consumer Loyalty through Service Experience and Service Convenience: Differences between Instructor Fitness Classes and Virtual Fitness Classes

by Manuel Jesús Baena-Arroyo, Jerónimo García-Fernández, Pablo Gálvez-Ruiz and Moisés Grimaldi-Puyana

Sustainability 2020, 12(3), 828; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12030828 - 22 Jan 2020

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 9395

Abstract

The eruption of technology has revolutionized the sports sector, incorporating new elements and new forms, and has therefore targeted sports activities. The inclusion of virtual fitness classes is leading to an increase in the offers available to consumers, expanding the hours that consumers can exercise and leading to a greater variability of customer services. The present study intends to go deeper into the knowledge of the fitness center sector in the Spanish context by evaluating the poorly analyzed area of directed activities, either with a teacher or in a virtual mode, and how these are perceived by the users of the centers. The sample consisted of a total of 1943 users, 1143 of whom were customers who conducted fitness activities directed by instructors, and 800 questionnaires were completed by customers who conducted virtual fitness activities in fitness centers classified as low-cost, medium, and boutique business models. The relationships between service experience, service convenience, satisfaction, and future intentions were analyzed. The results show positive relationships in all the variables studied in the instructor fitness classes. However, they are not significant in some variables studied involving virtual fitness classes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

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12 pages, 2177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Objective Measurement of the Mode of Commuting to School Using GPS: A Pilot Study

by Emilio Villa-González, Sergio Rosado-López, Yaira Barranco-Ruiz, Manuel Herrador-Colmenero, Cristina Cadenas-Sánchez, Maria Paula Santos and Palma Chillón

Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5395; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11195395 - 29 Sep 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2947

Abstract

Background and objectives: Active commuting to school (ACS) is a promising strategy to increase the daily physical activity (PA) in youths. However, more studies are required to objectively quantify the mode of commuting to school, as well as the health impact of this behavior. Thus, the aims of this study were: (1) to objectively determine the mode of commuting to school using GPS; (2) to quantify the sedentary time, PA levels, energy expenditure, and the steps derived from each mode of commuting; and (3) to analyze the associations between ACS trips and sedentary time, PA, energy expenditure, and steps. Participants and Methods: A total of 180 trips to school were detected, which corresponded to 18 adolescents (12 girls, mean age = 15 ± 0.0 years old). Mode of commuting to school was detected using a novel method merging GPS data in the Personal Activity Location Measurement System (PALMS), whereas sedentary time, PA levels, energy expenditure, and steps were objectively evaluated through accelerometry. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the associations of these variables with walking trips. Results: A total of 115 trips were recorded. Most trips were performed by walk (49.5%), followed by vehicle (39.1%) and mixed transport (11.3%). In the active school trips, youths were less likely to spend minutes in sedentary behaviors (OR: 0.481, p = 0.038), a higher increase on Metabolic-Equivalent of Task (METs) (OR: 5.497, p = 0.013), and greater steps (OR: 1.004, p = 0.029) than in the passive school trips (both active and passive modes were objectively measured). Conclusions: ACS (mainly walking) contribute to higher METs and steps in adolescents. GPS could be an appropriate method to objectively evaluate the PA variables related to the ACS trips. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

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Review

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30 pages, 4407 KiB

Open AccessReview

Enhancing the Sustainable Goal of Access to Healthcare: Findings from a Literature Review on Telemedicine Employment in Rural Areas

by Gabriele Palozzi, Irene Schettini and Antonio Chirico

Sustainability 2020, 12(8), 3318; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083318 - 19 Apr 2020

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 17302

Abstract

Fighting health inequalities is a challenge addressed by the United Nations Strategic Development Goals (UN-SDGs). Particularly, people living in rural areas suffer from a lack of health infrastructure, which would jeopardize their inclusion in universal coverage for specialist care. Delivering valuable healthcare in underserved areas can be achieved through the employment of new technical innovations, such as telemedicine, which improves service delivery processes. Accordingly, this paper discusses how telemedicine strategies have enhanced the sustainability of right of “access to healthcare” in rural areas. Once we derived the sustainability pillars for healthcare from the UN-SDGs 3 and 10 according to the WHO innovation assessment metrics, a PRISMA-based literature review was conducted using the Scopus database. English, peer-reviewed articles/reviews from 1973 to 2019 were considered. The enquiry covers two analyses: (i) quantitative-bibliometric on 2267 papers; and (ii) qualitative-narrative on the 30 most significant papers. Interest about the topic has increased in the last decade following digitalization diffusion. The most productive and collaborative countries are those with huge dimensions and under financial restrictions. From a sustainability-oriented standpoint, telemedicine enhances both emergency and diagnostic healthcare in rural areas by decreasing the cost of services, expanding coverage of specialist cares, and increasing the quality of the outcomes. For health policies, telemedicine can be considered a suitable solution for providing cost-effective and sustainable healthcare. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of New Technologies in Promoting Healthy Lifestyles)

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