The Role of Technology in Promoting Physical Activity: A Case-Study of parkrun

Around a third of people worldwide are physically inactive, causing 3.2 million deaths each year. People often use wearables and smartphone trackers to motivate them to be active, but there is evidence to show that use of these trackers declines quickly, often within weeks. One intervention that appears to successfully motivate people to be active is parkrun, a free, weekly timed 5 km run or walk every Saturday morning. The system used by parkrun is surprisingly low-tech: it uses printable barcodes, stopwatches and scanners, and the internet. A survey of 60,694 parkrun participants showed that levels of self-reported physical activity increased following participation in parkrun, especially for those with previously low levels of activity. Nine out of ten reported feeling a sense of personal achievement and improvements to fitness and physical health since starting parkrun. Based on a taxonomy of behaviour change interventions, the technology used by parkrun was shown to incorporate at least seven techniques that inform and encourage parkrunners. It is concluded that physical activity technologies should not be central to an intervention, rather, they should enhance interventions where behaviour change takes precedence

The importance of complex anthropometrics in the assessment of cyclists

The description and analysis of body dimensions is vital, not merely to monitor training, performance and talent identification, but to understand the evolution and development of sport. Recent literature suggested that complex anthropometrics, such as volume and area, can identify changes in body size and shape that might otherwise go unnoticed by simple anthropometrics as well as providing a more realistic representation of the body. The aim of this programme of doctoral study was to determine the importance of complex anthropometrics in the kinanthropometric assessment of cyclists. Stereo photogrammetry imaging was identified as the most suitable method of acquiring simple and complex anthropometrics. Validation of a stereo photogrammetry imaging system - 3dMDbody5 - was conducted using validation objects (precision engineered cylinders) and human participants, to determine the system's accuracy, repeatability and agreement with manual measurement methods. These investigations suggested the 3dMDbody5 system to be capable of detecting differences greater than 0.67 cm in girths, 0.48 cm2 in cross sectional areas, 67.85 ml in volumes and 0.99 cm2 in surface areas. In addition, the system demonstrated strong agreement with manual measurements, within that required by established industry standards (ISAK and ISO). Consequently, the 3dMDbody5 system was deemed suitable for use in subsequent investigations. Using the 3dMDbody5 imaging system a series of investigations were conducted to examine the importance of complex anthropometrics in the lower body kinanthropometric assessment of cyclists. First, in a descriptive context, an investigation into the extent to which simple and complex anthropometrics can distinguish between non-cyclists and cyclists from different disciplines was conducted. Second, in an applied context, the extent to which simple and complex anthropometrics explained the variance in peak power output was investigated. Third, in a longitudinal context, the anthropometrics and peak power output of a group of cyclists were monitored over the course of a power based training phase. This was to assess if changes in peak power output related to changes in anthropometrics and the extent to which simple and complex anthropometrics identified morphological change. The findings of these investigations provide a more detailed understanding of the lower body anthropometrics of cyclists. Moreover, demonstrating that in descriptive, applied and longitudinal kinanthropometric assessment of cyclists complex anthropometrics complement simple anthropometrics, and in some cases distinguished differences / changes that are unidentifiable through simple anthropometrics alone

The relationship between peak power and leg size in mountain bike cyclists

The relationship between peak power and leg size in mountain bike cyclist

Validity and repeatability of a depth camera based surface imaging system for thigh volume measurement

Complex anthropometric measures, such as area and volume, can identify changes in body size and shape that are not detectable with traditional anthropometric measures of lengths, breadths, skinfolds and girths. However, taking these more complex measures with manual techniques (tape measurement and water displacement) is often unsuitable. Three dimensional (3D) surface imaging systems are quick and accurate alternatives to manual techniques but their use is restricted by cost, complexity and limited access. We have developed a novel low cost, accessible and portable 3D surface imaging system based on consumer depth cameras. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and repeatability of the system in the measurement of thigh volume. The thigh volumes of 36 participants were measured with the depth camera system and a high precision commercially available 3D surface imaging system (3dMD). The depth camera system used within this study is highly repeatable (technical error of measurement of < 1.0% intra-calibration and ~ 2.0% inter-calibration) but systematically overestimates (~6%) thigh volume when compared to the 3dMD system. This suggests poor agreement yet a close relationship, which once corrected can yield a usable thigh volume measurement. Keywords : Kinanthropometry, Anthropometry, Depth Camera, 3D Body Scanning, Surface Imaging

Does ethnic density influence community participation in mass participation physical activity events? The case of parkrun in England

Background: parkrun has been successful in encouraging people in England to participate in their weekly 5km running and walking events. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in parkrun participation across different communities in England: after controlling for travel distances, deprived communities have significantly lower participation rates. Methods: This paper expands on previous findings by investigating disparities in parkrun participation by ethnic density. We combined geo-spatial data available through the Office for National Statistics with participation data provided by parkrun, and fitted multivariable Poisson regression models to study the effect of ethnic density on participation rates at the Lower layer Super Output Level. Results: We find that areas with higher ethnic density have lower participation rates. This effect is independent of deprivation. Conclusions: An opportunity exists for parkrun to engage with these communities and reduce potential barriers to participation

The future of 3D body scanning within ISAK? A natural home or a conflicting toolset [Abstract only]

Introduction: Three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging, also known as body scanning or optical scanning, captures the external 3D geometry of the human body. It provides several advantages over manual measurement; quick and direct contactless measurement, retrospective or immediate analysis and the extraction of a wide variety of anthropometrics, including complex anthropometrics and morphometrics -all of which are unattainable or impractical through manual measurement. Many types of 3D imaging systems are now commercially available and being used in a wide variety of contexts around the world to provide an opportunity for innovation and progress. However, with each system using different hardware, software and computer vision techniques, and whilst some standardisation exists, there is a global call for greater standardisation and guidance to ensure correct and suitable use of, and appropriate interpretation of the data extracted from this technology in both research and practice (Seminati et al., 2017; Heymsfield et al., 2018; Ashdown, 2020). Methods: The critical evaluation of a three-month industry networking travel grant, focused on 3D body scanning and the acquisition of anthropometrics within health, sport, fashion and animal applications, that took place from September to December 2019. Results: Whilst international standards and international working groups are moving towards unified practice and standardisation, there appears to be the call for the lead of an accrediation based organisation to ensure correct use in practice and research of this technology. Conclusion: With the popularity of 3D surface imaging forecast to grow and thereby the call for standardisation set to continue, should and how can ISAK engage within this process

IEEE SA Industry Connections 3D Body Processing Working Group and IEEE P3141 Standard for 3D Body Processing - Part 1

Mcdonald, C.; Rannow, RK.; Pai, D.; Bullas, A.; Ballester Fernandez, A. (2020). IEEE SA Industry Connections 3D Body Processing Working Group and IEEE P3141 Standard for 3D Body Processing - Part 2. IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine. 9(6):97-99. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCE.2020.2997556S97999

Parkrun as a tool to support public health: insights for clinicians

Background: To support efforts to grow social prescribing and reduce levels of physical inactivity, parkrun UK and the Royal College of GPs developed the parkrun Practice initiative to link General Practices to local parkruns (free, weekly, timed, physical activity events). Practice staff are encouraged to take part themselves and also encourage their patients to participate. Aim: To provide insight for clinicians about parkrun participants, especially those with characteristics of a patient who might be signposted to physical activity. Design and setting: Secondary analysis of an online survey of 59,999 parkrunners in the UK. Method: Respondents were ranked into 13 categories using mean parkrun finish time allowing the following definitions: front runners, median runners, slower runners, runners/walkers and walkers. Measures included demographics, health conditions, motives for first participating and perceived impact of health and wellbeing. Results: Over 9% of all participants were found to have at least one long term health condition: this rose to 45% for walkers and included arthritis, obesity, depression, chronic pain, hypertension and anxiety. Walkers were less likely to be motivated by fitness or competition and more likely to be motivated by physical health. Despite these differences, perceived improvements to wellbeing were broadly similar for all parkrunners regardless of finishing time. Conclusions: The study shows that parkrunners are a diverse population in terms of physical health. The information here could be combined with other research on barriers to participation and successful brief interventions to help address the key issues of practitioner knowledge and confidence

The health benefits of volunteering at a free, weekly, 5 km event in the UK: a cross-sectional study of volunteers at parkrun

This paper investigates the motives for first participating in parkrun and its impact for those who volunteered compared to those who did not volunteer. A cross-sectional survey was emailed to parkrun registrants, resulting in 60,680 survey returns from parkrun participants who self-identified as volunteers only (n = 681), runners/walkers who volunteered (n = 21,928) or runners/walkers who did not volunteer (38,071). Two survey questions were analysed in this paper: (1) their motives for first participating in parkrun as a volunteer or runner/walker; and (2) the perceived impact on their health and wellbeing. More than half of respondents were female and were predominantly from a white ethnic background. Compared to runners/walkers who volunteered, those who volunteered exclusively were older, more likely to be retired and more likely to be inactive at registration. Exclusive volunteers were motivated by wanting to give something back to the community (45.8%), to feel part of a community (26.1%), to help people (24.5%) or because they were unable to run (21.1%). Runners/walkers who volunteered were more likely to volunteer because they felt obliged to (49.3%). A large proportion of exclusive volunteers reported improvements to connections with others such as feeling part of a community (83.5%), the number of new people met (85.2%) and time spent with friends (45.2%). While mental and physical health were ranked low by volunteers as a motive (4.7% and 2.7% respectively), improvements were reported by 54.5 and 29.3% respectively. The data shows that volunteering at parkrun without participating as a runner or walker can deliver some of the components of the Five Ways to Wellbeing advocated by the NHS. The characteristics of parkrun (free, regular, local, accessible and optional) make it a viable social prescribing offer that can be used as a model for other community events seeking to attract volunteers