Physical Activity Researcher
Hello and Welcome to Physical Activity Researcher Podcast! Physical Activity Researcher Podcast is the source of the latest research findings on all things related to physical activity, exercise, and health. World-renowned scientists and experts as guests in an informal and relaxed interview style format. New episodes on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The podcast is for anyone who likes to learn scientific and evidence-based knowledge of physical activity, exercise, and health. Our listeners range from researchers to health and fitness professionals, and from inactive office workers to marathon runners. Podcast has several series and hosts each concentrating on different aspects of physical activity: Physical Activity Researcher Series The latest research findings in exercise physiology, biomechanics, physical education, coaching sciences, sport psychology, epidemiology, and public health. These episodes are hosted by researcher and entrepreneur Dr Olli Tikkanen. Meaningful Sport Series Meaningful Sport is dedicated to the exploration of meaning and meaningful experiences in sport and physical activity. Many studies have revealed instrumental benefits of physical activity, but is there something more to it, and how does it contribute to meaningful lives? This series is led by Associate Professor Noora Ronkainen. The series provides inspiration for exploring the meaning and value in sport and physical activity for everyone. Practitioner’s Viewpoint Series Practitioner’s Viewpoint Series has health and fitness professionals as guests. How they see sedentary behaviour and physical activity in their work? What are the best practices to promote physical activity? This series is for you if you are a Personal Trainer, Physiotherapist, Medical Doctor, Health Coach, or anyone working as a health and fitness professional. This series is lead by physiotherapist MSc Liis Kukkonen. Publishing schedule: Tuesdays: Physical Activity Researcher Series Friday: Meaningful Sport Series Sundays: Practitioner’s Viewpoint Series. + Bonus episodes and republications of past highlight episodes We hope you find value in the podcast! -Podcasting team-
Episodes
🔹 Is PPG or ECG the best method for tracking heart rate variability (HRV) in your research? 🔹 🔹 Learn how these two technologies compare in accuracy, practicality, and long-term usability for HRV measurement! 🔹
In this episode, we dive into the comparison between PPG-based and ECG-based HRV measurement, two leading methods for tracking heart rate variability. While ECG remains the gold standard for precision, PPG offers a more ...
🔹 What if a simple wristband could revolutionize clinical trials? 🔹 🔹 Actigraphy and PPG technology are bringing real-time health monitoring out of the lab and into everyday life! 🔹
In this episode, we explore how wearable devices equipped with actigraphy and photoplethysmography (PPG) are transforming remote health monitoring in clinical trials. These small, wrist-worn devices provide continuous data on physical activity, hear...
Jesse Cook is a PhD candidate in the Dr. David Plante Sleep Research Laboratory and studies biological, psychological and sociological factors that connect with unexplained excessive sleepiness.
He was first drawn to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research through the connection between sleep health and AD, and the prevention, detection and potential treatment implications of this connection.
Cook believes sleep health disparities across...
🔹 What if your physical activity data is telling you something you’ve never noticed before? 🔹 🔹 Unsupervised learning can reveal hidden patterns and anomalies in movement data—insights that traditional methods might miss! 🔹
In this episode, we dive into how unsupervised machine learning is revolutionizing physical activity research. Unlike supervised learning, these algorithms don’t rely on labeled data; instead, they discover ...
🔹 Are your research prompts actually capturing what matters? 🔹 🔹 The right question at the right time can make all the difference in Experience Sampling Method (ESM) studies! 🔹
Crafting effective ESM prompts isn’t just about asking questions—it’s about designing them in a way that enhances participant engagement and ensures high-quality data. In this episode, we explore how well-designed prompts serve as the foundation for mean...
Jesse Cook is a PhD candidate in the Dr. David Plante Sleep Research Laboratory and studies biological, psychological and sociological factors that connect with unexplained excessive sleepiness.
He was first drawn to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research through the connection between sleep health and AD, and the prevention, detection and potential treatment implications of this connection.
Cook believes sleep health disparities across...
📊 How Can Researchers Analyze Experience Sampling Data Effectively? With high-frequency, real-world data, ESM requires advanced techniques to uncover meaningful insights.
In this episode, we explore methodological approaches for analyzing Experience Sampling Method (ESM) data, highlighting its unique challenges and opportunities. We discuss high-frequency, real-time data characteristics, the importance of methodological rigor, and...
💡 Can AI Improve How We Analyze Heart Rate Variability and ECG Data? Machine learning is transforming HRV and ECG research—detecting patterns, predicting risks, and enabling real-time health insights.
In this episode, we explore how machine learning (ML) is revolutionizing HRV and ECG analysis, making it possible to process long-term, wearable-collected data with unprecedented accuracy. We discuss supervised, unsupervised, and dee...
📝 How Do You Design an Effective Experience Sampling Study? A well-planned ESM study captures real-time experiences, but success depends on thoughtful design, participant engagement, and the right sampling approach.
In this episode, we explore the key considerations and steps for designing an Experience Sampling Method (ESM) study. From defining clear research questions to selecting the right variables and sampling strategies, we ...
How to Measure Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
Download your free e-book here:
https://www.physicalactivityresearcher.com/ebook2
Authors: Ugne Kari, Olli Tikkanen, Arto Pesola _________________
This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. Better Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle
Learn More About Fibion Devices:
- Fibion SENS- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data ea...
🚀 Next-Gen Heart Monitoring: The Power of Single-Lead ECG in Research
Single-lead ECG is transforming heart health research, making long-term monitoring simpler, more accurate, and accessible in real-world settings. 🔬💙
🔹 What’s new? ✅ Compact, wearable design – Easy for participants to wear for days or weeks ✅ Continuous data collection – Captures real-world heart rhythms outside clinical settings ✅ High-accuracy beat-to-beat a...
🔹 Did you know your heartbeat holds valuable clues about your health, stress levels, and recovery? 🔹 Heart rate variability (HRV) is more than just a number—it’s a powerful signal revealing how well your body adapts to stress and daily life!
In this episode, we explore why HRV has become a key metric in health research, from tracking recovery in athletes to assessing stress and chronic disease risk. With modern wearable technol...
How to Measure Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
Download your free e-book here:
https://www.physicalactivityresearcher.com/ebook2
Authors: Ugne Kari, Olli Tikkanen, Arto Pesola _________________
This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. Better Sleep, Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle
Learn More About Fibion Devices:
- Fibion SENS- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data e...
What if cooling vests could help save lives during mass pilgrimages in extreme heat? Learn how these innovations are being adapted for religious and cultural use.
"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"
In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen and José Näf explore the life-saving potential of evaporative cooling vests in extreme environments, including the Hajj pilgrimage, where temperatures can exce...
Why is evaporative cooling vital for people who cannot sweat, like those with paraplegia or artificial skin? Learn how smart cooling vests support health and safety in extreme conditions.
"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"
In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen and José Näf discuss how evaporative cooling vests support individuals who suffer from heat sensitivity due to medical conditions such as...
How does an evaporative cooling vest keep your skin up to 5°C cooler for hours—without making you wet? José Näf shares how smart materials can transform temperature regulation.
"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"
In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen continues the conversation with José Näf, co-founder of Duracool, focusing on the design, functionality, and physiological impact of evaporative co...
What are the real differences between evaporative, phase-changing, electronic, and ice-based cooling vests? Why are athletes, firefighters, and even lab workers turning to these technologies?
"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"
In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen speaks with José Näf, co-founder of Duracool, to break down the science and real-life applications behind different cooling vest te...
Can electrode design support both signal stability and sustainability? José Näf explains how Nahtlos electrodes reduce waste and skin irritation while delivering high-quality data over time.
In this fourth episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen and José Näf explore the technical and environmental details of electrode design for long-term HRV and ECG measurements. José discusses how offset connectors, biocompatible foil materials, and breathabl...
Can electrode systems self-regulate moisture to keep data quality high for 10 days? José Näf explains how Nahtlos’ innovative design improves both signal stability and skin comfort in long-term ECG and HRV tracking.
In this third episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen continues the deep dive with José Näf into how advanced electrode technology is addressing the long-standing issues in long-term heart rate variability and ECG measurement. José ...
🎙️ Supervised Learning in Physical Activity Research – Unlocking Insights from Accelerometry Data
How does supervised learning enhance physical activity research?
In this episode, we dive into supervised learning, a key machine learning technique that uses labeled data to classify physical activities and predict health outcomes. Learn about: ✔️ How supervised learning processes accelerometer data ✔️ Real-world applications in acti...
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