Explaining the Usage Intentions of Exercise Monitoring Devices: The Usage of Heart Rate Monitors in Finland

Today, more and more people are using different types of exercise monitoring devices to measure their physical exercise activities. However, the underlying reasons for using these devices remain vaguely understood. This study aims at addressing this shortcoming by first proposing a theoretical model for explaining the usage intentions of exercise monitoring devices and then empirically testing it in the case of one common type of these devices: heart rate monitors. The model is based on a synthesis of three distinct theoretical domains – the theory of planned behaviour, the innovation diffusion theory, and the typology of consumer value – and it is tested by analysing an online survey sample of 3,036 Finnish consumers, or more specifically a sub-sample of 1,250 Finnish heart rate monitor owners, through structural equation modelling. The results of the analysis are also used to draw implications for the design and marketing of heart rate monitors

The Habits of Playing and the Reasons for Not Playing Exergames: Gender Differences in Finland

This study examines the habits of playing and the reasons for not playing digital exercise games (i.e., exergames), concentrating particularly on the gender differences between the male and female players and non-players. Exergames can be considered an important and interesting research topic as they can be used to motivate people to do more exercise and, consequently, to improve their health and well-being. The study is based on analysing an online survey sample of 3,036 Finnish consumers through contingency tables, the Pearson’s χ 2 tests of independence, and the Cramér’s V coefficients. The results of the analysis reveal 11 main reasons for not playing exergames as well as several gender differences both in the habits of playing and in the reasons for not playing exergames. Based on these results, exergames still seem to have a long way to go before they are perceived as interesting enough in terms of the game experience as well as useful enough in terms of their effects on physical fitness

Perceived Well-being Effects During the Implementation of a Self-tracking Technology

In recent years, both individuals and the healthcare sector have become more interested to measure and improve health and well-being by using different self-tracking technologies. However, the number of studies concerning the experiences that people have with these technologies is still rather limited. This study investigates the expectations and perceived short-term effects of using self-tracking technologies on users’ well-being. The focus is on the first weeks of usage i.e., the implementation phase. The study is qualitative in nature and based on thematic analysis of ten semi-structured interviews. The results reveal that the perceived well-being effects of using a self-tracking technology are relatively minor during the implementation phase and in line with the expectations. The increase in well-being is expected to occur in a longer time scale. Perceived psychological well-being is found to be affected the most during the implementation phase. The results also reveal interesting findings regarding the use of self-tracking technologies. The results are discussed and several important implications are drawn

CRITICAL EXPERIENCES DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SELF-TRACKING TECHNOLOGY

Emerging technologies have brought several new ways to track, measure and evaluate own activity. Well-being, nutrition, physical training, mood, and sleep are a few of the various measures that can be self-tracked by different technological solutions. At the same time, people are becoming more interested in themselves and their own well-being, and constant tracking of own activities is getting more and more popular both on individual level as well as in general healthcare. This study examines critical experiences that occur during the implementation phase of the innovation-decision process and their influence to adopting or rejecting a self-tracking technology. The study is qualitative in nature and empirically based on thematic analysis of ten semi-structured interviews used together with the critical incident technique. The theoretical basis of the study comes from two well-established technology acceptance models: unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) and innovation-decision process. The results reveal the experiences and factors that are important for users in terms of deciding whether to adopt or reject a self-tracking technology during the initial phase of implementation. The results are also reflected to UTAUT2 and the innovation-decision process

To Gamify or Not to Gamify? Gamification in Exercise Applications and Its Role in Impacting Exercise Motivation

Gamification and different exercise applications have become increasingly popular in recent years. The common purpose of gamification is to enhance one’s motivation and engagement to certain activities. Gamification has been commonly understood as the use of game elements in non-game context. In this paper, we propose a divide between the process and the experience of gamification. This paper is the first to propose such division and the results demonstrate its necessity. Gamification exists also in many exercise applications. The purpose of this study is to explore how the use of an exercise application affects users’ exercise motivation and behaviour by concentrating especially on the role of gamification in terms of these effects. Empirically, the study is based on 11 qualitative interviews. The results show that the use of an exercise application can enhance the awareness of one’s physical activity and progress, and in many cases it can also increase one’s motivation to be physically active. Gamification is found to have potential impact on exercise motivation, although individual differences occur

Activated Protein C Does Not Alleviate the Course of Systemic Inflammation in the APCAP Trial

The study aimed to determine the effect of the activated protein C on the course of systemic inflammation in the APCAP (activated protein C in acute pancreatitis) trial where we randomized 32 patients with severe acute pancreatitis to receive either recombinant activated protein C (drotrecogin alfa activated) (n = 16) or placebo (n = 16) for 96 hours. In the present study, we present the time course of the patients' plasma or serum levels of soluble markers (IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra, sE-selectin, PCT) and monocyte and neutrophil cell surface (CD11b, CD14, CD62L, HLA-DR) markers of systemic inflammatory response during the first 14 days after the randomization. The results of the intervention and placebo groups were comparable showing that recombinant APC treatment did not alter the course of systemic inflammation in severe acute pancreatitis. Our finding is in accordance with the clinical findings in the APCAP trial indicating that the intervention did not affect evolution of multiple organ dysfunctions

Diversity and distribution of Finnish aphyllophoroid and heterobasidioid fungi (Basidiomycota) : An update

Biogeographical and ecological knowledge of aphyllophoroid fungi has increased substantially after the publication of the Finnish aphyllophoroid checklist. In this paper, we describe the occurrence and distributions of both aphyllophoroid and heterobasidioid fungi in Finland. We introduce 13 species new to Finland: Hyphoderma lapponicum, Mycostilla vermiformis, Proterochaete adusta, Pseudotomentella alobata, Pseudoxenasma verrucisporum, Sistotrema subtrigonospermum, Spiculogloea minuta, Tomentella botryoides, Tomentella neobourdotii, Tomentella subtestacea, Tomentella subpilosa, Tulasnella anguifera, and Tulasnella interrogans. Proterochaete and Pseudoxenasma are new genera to Finland. We also present the record of Caudicicola gracilis for only the second time globally. Furthermore, we present 115 new records (locations) of 53 rare or seldom collected species. In addition, we report 96 species considered new to a specific subzone of the boreal forest vegetation zone in Finland. The records contain notes on the substrata, and the ecology and distribution of nationally new species and are briefly discussed.Peer reviewe

High alveolar nitric oxide is associated with steeper lung function decline in foundry workers

Occupational dust exposure induces inflammatory responses that often precede the onset of clinical disease. Inflammation in the peripheral part of the lung can be demonstrated by measuring the alveolar NO concentration (CANO) in exhaled breath. The aim of the study was to assess whether cumulative dust exposure affects the change in CANO during follow-up and whether baseline CANO can predict an impairment in lung function during follow-up in foundry workers. We examined 74 dust-exposed and 42 nonexposed foundry workers and measured CANO and lung function at baseline and after 7 years of follow-up. An increase in CANO during the follow-up period was positively associated with cumulative dust exposure in foundry work (p= 0.035). Furthermore, a higher baseline CANO was associated with an accelerated decline in the forced vital capacity (FVC) during the follow-up period (absolute decrease in FVCp= 0.021, relative decrease in FVCp= 0.017). Higher cumulative dust exposure in foundry work is associated with a greater increase in CANO during follow-up, suggesting ongoing pulmonary inflammation in these subjects. Importantly, a high baseline CANO is associated with an accelerated decline in lung function, suggesting that CANO measurements might serve as a screening tool for high-risk workers.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

Activated Protein C Does Not Alleviate the Course of Systemic Inflammation in the APCAP Trial

The study aimed to determine the effect of the activated protein C on the course of systemic inflammation in the APCAP (activated protein C in acute pancreatitis) trial where we randomized 32 patients with severe acute pancreatitis to receive either recombinant activated protein C (drotrecogin alfa activated) (n = 16) or placebo (n = 16) for 96 hours. In the present study, we present the time course of the patients' plasma or serum levels of soluble markers (IL-8, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra, sE-selectin, PCT) and monocyte and neutrophil cell surface (CD11b, CD14, CD62L, HLA-DR) markers of systemic inflammatory response during the first 14 days after the randomization. The results of the intervention and placebo groups were comparable showing that recombinant APC treatment did not alter the course of systemic inflammation in severe acute pancreatitis. Our finding is in accordance with the clinical findings in the APCAP trial indicating that the intervention did not affect evolution of multiple organ dysfunctions