… All Suunto sports watches now compatible with Strava
The Suunto app was launched in early 2018 as the companion for Suunto 3 Fitness. It is now the digital solution for Suunto’s new flagship watch, Suunto 9, as well as Suunto Spartan watches. Suunto app integration with Strava will ensure that users can share their activities automatically with Strava and can receive the additional benefits of the service, including kudos, segments and Summit features. All other connected watches of Suunto are also compatible with Strava via Suunto’s Movescount service.
When shopping for a hiking watch, there are a number of qualities to look for, whether you want it to track your exercise metrics or act as a navigational co-pilot during your trek. First, it should have a barometer and altimeter, as well as a basic compass to assist with navigation. Since it’ll likely take a beating, you’ll also want an option that’s durable and capable of withstanding various inclement weather scenarios.
… It wasn’t that long ago that wearables were on the “hot lists” of gifts to give or receive, and that was fine considering their novelty and status symbol for many. Waking up Christmas morning to a brand-new fitness tracker? Yes, please! Showing off a shiny new smartwatch at the dinner table? Of course! Challenging friends and relatives about who could post the highest step count before New Year’s? Bring it on! But it didn’t take that long for the hype to wear off and for attention to go elsewhere. Meanwhile, the wearables market continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace, with vendors relying on dwindling assortment of first-generation devices. Some companies even folded up and withdrew from the market altogether.
But you know what happened along the way? Those companies that chose to stay in the market slowly introduced improvements and innovations, making many of those first-generation devices look quaint.
Garmin has long led in the handheld GPS category. This month, the brand announced two new units with improved imagery and connectivity in the wilds.
They start at $400 and include a standard feature set with altimeter, barometer and compass plus upgrades for 2018.
Called the GPSMAP 66s and GPSMAP 66st, the units have color displays that are readable in direct sunlight. Preloaded topographic maps are standard on the 66st model, letting you hit trails or mountain terrain out of the box.
Researchers at MIT, Draper, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital have designed an ingestible capsule that can be controlled using Bluetooth wireless technology. The capsule, which can be customized to deliver drugs, sense environmental conditions, or both, can reside in the stomach for at least a month, transmitting information and responding to instructions from a user’s smartphone.
The capsules, manufactured using 3-D-printing technology, could be deployed to deliver drugs to treat a variety of diseases, particularly in cases where drugs must be taken over a long period of time. They could also be designed to sense infections, allergic reactions, or other events, and then release a drug in response.
“Our system could provide closed-loop monitoring and treatment, whereby a signal can help guide the delivery of a drug or tuning the dose of a drug,” says Giovanni Traverso, a visiting scientist in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, where he will be joining the faculty in 2019.
Tracking the vital signs of ultra-marathoners and other endurance athletes can be of critical importance. Accuracy is key, of course, but so too is compliance. QUS has developed a wearable technology using a smart textile with sensors woven into a washable fabric. The shirt can measure heart and respiratory rates as well as record movement data gleaned from GPS, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope.
“We sat down together with a lot of athletes who are doing crazy things, like marathons through the desert,” said QUS shareholder Maximilian Seidel. “They all want to get rid of the chest strap because they all say it is uncomfortable, they don’t like it.”
Printing electronics using conductive ink rather than lithography is starting to move out of the research phase, with chipmakers now looking at how to commercialize this technology across a broad range of sensor applications.
Unlike traditional semiconductors, which use tiny wires as circuits, printed electronics rely on conductive inks and often flexible films, although they can be printed on almost anything. That allows them to be flowed into places using conformal films, or to be taped onto something like an industrial valve where multiple types of sensors can be used rather than trying to attach a single, discrete sensor on a hard substrate. Moreover, these sensors can be added to existing facilities, rather than replacing existing devices with new parts that contain built-in electronics.
This kind of capability—conductive ink with built-in RF or connected circuitry—has captured the imagination of chipmakers on multiple continents and in multiple industry segments. Most experts believe they have only scratched the surface for applications, too.
Working with a number of partners on the BodySense project, CPI is supporting the development of next generation multi-functional sensing devices.
Non-invasive sensing platforms are already prevalent in the marketplace to monitor and log personal data on health and well-being.
However, these existing wearable models carry drawbacks, with their connection to the body via straps or similar fastenings failing to maintain a good connection over a long period.
Existing skin conformal sensor nodes are also very limited in their sensing ability, with their principal focus on just temperature and strain and their performance relying upon high power consumption, resulting in regular battery recharging and electronic waste.
However, CPI, alongside its partners, the University of Kent, University of Manchester and Northwestern University, aims to create a new manufacturing platform for novel smart sensing devices.
Valencell will demonstrate how its accurate biometric sensors are enabling the convergence of consumer wearables and medical devices to deliver meaningful outcomes for consumers, patients, and medical research
… [Chris] Napier dared to kick that hornet’s nest by writing a recent commentary in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggesting that running shoe design makes no difference when it comes to preventing injuries.
His conclusion was blunt.
“Runners should be instructed to choose a certain type of running shoe over another shoe no more so than a blue shoe over a red shoe,” he wrote.
Mundo introduces the Trailboard — a high-performance, bindingless snowboard designed to take on hikes and ride on any type of snowy terrain, whether it’s a resort, a trail, or your own backyard.
… As the years have passed, though, demonstrating the superiority of other types of running shoes has proven to be more difficult than expected. As a new editorial in the same journal now argues, we’re still waiting for evidence about the injury-preventing powers of running shoes – except that the critique now extends to newer approaches such as minimalist shoes, supercushioned maximalist shoes and even the suggestion that you should simply choose a shoe based on comfort.
The editorial, from physical therapists Chris Napier of the University of British Columbia and Richard Willy of the University of Montana, identifies a series of logical fallacies that permeate current debates about running shoes.
For example, assuming that the lack of evidence for conventional shoes means that relatively untested maximalist shoes must be better is a fallacious “argument from ignorance.” And the idea that a more natural foot motion, as permitted by minimalist shoes, is more desirable represents an “appeal to nature” fallacy. (Richards and his colleagues, in their 2008 paper: “Evolution would suggest that a return to running in bare feet should be the first choice.”)
Building on the international success of their pioneering use of graphene in trail running and fitness shoes last summer, the brand is now bringing the revolutionary technology to a market recently starved of innovation.
Just one atom thick and stronger than steel, graphene has been infused into the rubber of inov-8’s new ROCLITE hiking boots, with the outsoles scientifically proven to be 50% stronger, 50% more elastic and 50% harder wearing.
From lumens to run time, and red lights to battery packs, there’s no shortage of features to consider when it comes to headlamps. In this video, Miranda breaks it all down so you can choose the best headlamp for your next adventure. [Mirando has been on fire with the “how to choose” videos.]
Aaron Aders is the CEO of Leiftech, a company he founded to create an electric snowboard. He talks about the process involved in creating the Leiftech electric snowboard as well as some of their marketing tactics.
college student searches for a filling cereal bar for breakfast on her way to class. An athlete wants a sports bar packed with protein before a workout. A mom stocks the pantry with vitamin-enhanced bars as snacks for the whole family. From weight-control to fiber, one thing is clear: Consumers seek out bars for a purpose.
Compared with a decline in dollar sales for 2017, the bar industry has picked up the pace in 2018, growing 2.9% in dollar sales for the 52 weeks ending Oct. 7, according to I.R.I. However, some subcategories are seeing more success than others. Granola bars have declined 2.7% in dollar sales, and Sally Lyons-Wyatt, executive vice-president and practice leader of I.R.I., said part of that is due to beneficial ingredients included in the nutritional or intrinsic health value bar subcategory.
… diPulse, Sweden, was recognised in the Wearables category. The start-up integrates electrostimulation (EMS) in functional clothing to promote muscle training. Convenient, carbon-based control elements are attached to the clothing without wires or electrodes. They enable targeted stimulation of particular muscle areas in every training stage. In addition, an integrated virtual trainer can access the data in real time and give the athlete active feedback.
The more objects we make “smart,” from watches to entire buildings, the greater the need for these devices to store and retrieve massive amounts of data quickly without consuming too much power.
Millions of new memory cells could be part of a computer chip and provide that speed and energy savings, thanks to the discovery of a previously unobserved functionality in a material called molybdenum ditelluride.
The two-dimensional material stacks into multiple layers to build a memory cell. Researchers at Purdue University engineered this device in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Theiss Research Inc. Their work appears in an advance online issue of Nature Materials.
Influencers are trendsetters. Products curated by them often become very popular. Fitness, lifestyle, and outdoor bloggers in southern Germany reach over 100,000 fans via their social media channels. In 2019, they will be focusing on sustainability, urban style, and artificial intelligence.
Sustainable – Said Or Done?
Resource conservation and environmental compatibility are the most important trends for Marlen of Trailkitchen. The (ultra)trail runner from Munich, who posts on her blog about training, competitions, and healthy eating, is convinced that customers now expect a completely sustainable production chain. In particular, she sees potential in synthetic alternatives to animal materials like down.
… “Running in the cold is massively easier on the body,” says Doug Casa, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology at the University of Connecticut. He explains that with the warm weather, you have to cool yourself down and your body works to bring a massive amount of blood supply to the surface of the skin to avoid overheating. In cooler temperatures, you don’t need to sweat much. Therefore, your blood can be conserved for the muscles and your heart. The outcome? You may find you can reach a faster pace with the same amount of effort.
“There’s a reason all distance records occur in the 45-degree weather,” he adds. This makes sense to me; think of all the iconic marathons that take place in late spring or fall, when the temps are usually in the 40s: New York City, Chicago, and Boston, to name a few.
Ryan Zinke’s time in the Trump cabinet is ending, but his legal troubles are likely far from over.
When Mr. Zinke was forced to resign as interior secretary on Saturday, he joined a line of officials who have left the Trump administration under a cloud of ethics inquiries. But the investigations into Mr. Zinke’s actions are likely to continue, according to Delaney Marsco, the ethics counsel at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan watchdog group. And if those inquiries turn out badly for him, Mr. Zinke still faces the threat of criminal penalties that could hobble his political future.
“It’s not a Get Out of Jail Free card to just quit,” Ms. Marsco said.
There is growing evidence that for athletes, being replete in vitamin D is important for many key areas of health and performance. For bone health, muscle strength and to support immune function.
At the recent International Association of Dance Medicine conference, in addition to presenting on Dance Endocrinology I also took part in a “duel” on vitamin D to argue the case for vitamin D supplementation, in dance/athletic populations. In fact Vitamin D is a type of steroid hormone. An article in BJSM discussed the synergistic action of steroid hormones, in particular vitamin D and the sex steroids. In dancers who train in studios inside, away from the sun then there is evidence that levels of vitamin D can become low, particularly during winter months. Supplementing with vitamin D in these elite female dancers reduced injuries and significantly improved muscle strength and jump height.
Spanish automaker SEAT has released promotional materials for its new SUV that promotes the correct distance a motorist should leave when overtaking a cyclist. On 10th December, SEAT sent out a press release for the 2019 version of its Tarraco SUV and this included photos and videos of engineer Esteban Alcantara overtaking two cyclists by moving wholly into the opposite carriageway. “In order to overtake cyclists correctly: reduce the speed and maintain the safety distance,” stated the press release. It is highly unusual – possibly even a first? – for a car company to promote such a critical safety message.
At a meetup in Barcelona this week, USA Cycling sports technologist Melissa McKeveny talked about how technology is impacting the sport of cycling, and what she feels the future holds. The event was run by global sports consulting firm N3XT Sports in collaboration with SportTechie.
Based in Colorado Springs, USA Cycling has a membership of more than 60,000. Team USA has decades of cycling success. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Kristin Armstrong defended her time trial title for the second time, Connor Fields won gold in the men’s BMX, and the U.S. took silver in the women’s team pursuit on the track. This year, Chloe Dygert picked up the women’s individual pursuit world record at the World Championships in March, and Ashton Lambie took the men’s record at the Pan American Championships in August. The next big goal is Tokyo 2020.
Cycling is perhaps one of the sports with the most technological potential. “Technology in cycling has a tremendous and direct impact into performance,” McKeveny said.
… Various studies have found that stress levels are rising in America, and around the world, yet we’re more connected than ever. Last year, a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) stated that nearly eight in 10 Americans are attached to their mobile devices and electronic gadget on a typical day. Stress runs higher for “constant checkers,” a term mental health professionals now use to describe those who constantly check their emails, texts or social media accounts. Forty-percent of constant checkers surveyed said they find political and cultural discussions on social media stressful. Nearly half of this group also said they feel disconnected from their family, when they are physically together, because of technology. Technology was even cited as a reason why people are less likely to meet in person. To top it off, Millennials — who report being the most comfortable with technology — also report having the highest levels of stress because of it. Stress is not an innocent fleeting feeling; it can be a chronic state, and chronic stress is linked to many common causes of death such as heart disease and cancer.
The internet as we know it today gives us access to so much information, it presents us with what is known as “excessive choice” — the sense of unlimited items and experiences to choose from. As psychologist Barry Schwartz explains, excessive choice “can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures.” Excessive choice, he argues, can lead to clinical depression.
… It is true that a cold body uses more energy to keep itself warm than a warm body. But alas, exercising in the cold isn’t the fabulous calorie burner you may like to think it is. Before we get to why, let’s look at the reason this idea seems so intuitive and appealing.