Physical Activity Researcher
Physical Activity Researcher
paresearcher
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-
/Highlights/ The Same Genes are Responsible for Longevity and Exercise Participation! Dr Sira Karvinen
Dr Sira Karvinen - Exercise | Longevity | Genes | Twins  Sira Karvinen currently works at the Gerontology Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. She is a postdoctoral researcher in a EsmiRs-study - Risk of metabolic dysfunction in middle aged women: systemic and intracrine oestrogen and microRNAs as mediating factors. --- This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | The New Gold Standard for Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Monitoring Learn more about Fibion: fibion.com/research--- Physical Activity Researcher Podcast have created a ‘Purchase Guide for Researchers: Accelerometer-based Activity Trackers’. You can download it from here.---
Jul 7
29 min
/Highlights/ How to test whether accelerometer has been calibrated at all? Dr Timo Rantalainen
Dr Timo Rantalainen - Accelerometry | Gait | Elderly In this episode, we have Dr Timo Rantalainen, who is Research Fellow at the Gerontology Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Dr Rantalainen’s area of expertise pertains to neuromuscular and skeletal systems, specifically skeletal adaptation to mechanical loading and neural control of muscles, with a focus on estimating lower limb loading and bone responsiveness. His current research interests include: 1) the effect of loading on bone geometry, 2) neuromuscular function of muscle, 3) muscle and bone adaptations with age, and 4) the measurement of bone geometry using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). --- This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | The New Gold Standard for Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Monitoring Learn more about Fibion: https://fibion.com/research --- Physical Activity Researcher Podcast have created a ‘Purchase Guide for Researchers: Accelerometer-based Activity Trackers’. You can download it from here.--- Timestamps:02:00 Funding, success rate and part of luck in the process04:20 Physical state prediction from physical activity13:40 Activity parameters indicative of problems in rehabilitation16:35 Complexity of gait and cognition17.30 Dual task paradigm - simple way of detecting early Alzheimer’s19:30 Variability of gait as indicator of health20:15 Dual task and variability of gait21:13 Exerting hard and thinking23:20 Dual task paradigm during pedalling24:45 Advantages of using ergometer compared to gait25:40 Analysis of accelerometers on thorax and thigh32:10 Relativity of activity intensity classification35:00 Histogram analysis of physical activity36:45 Absolute accelerations as predictors37:50 Why walking is such important to study41:40 Static posturography43.10 Heart rate variability and arrythmias43.50 Variability of walking45.10 How to detect the walking from accelerometer signal56.30 Counts and proprietary algorithms57.40 How to test whether accelerometer you use have been calibrated?
Jul 3
1 hr 2 min
/Highlights/ Physical Activity of Children: How to Master Data Analysis - Dr Matteo Crotti (Pt4)
Dr. Matteo Crotti has got his PhD from the Liverpool John Moores University. He has been involved in various research projects concerning children’s physical activity, motor skills and health. Furthermore, he conducted a study concerning the relationship between play behaviours and motor skills in preschool children. His early career researcher was in the field of Sports Sciences and his key research focus on physical activity promotion, physical activity assessment, physical education and coaching. ----------------------------------------- This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | The New Gold Standard for Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Monitoring Learn more about Fibion: fibion.com/research --- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely - Discover new Fibion SENS Motion: https://sens.fibion.com/
Jun 29
25 min
/Highlights/ Narratives of Ageing and Physical Activity: Are there Alternatives to Ageing-as-Decline? Dr Adam Evans
Physical activity in later life is often promoted for its potential physical, psychological and social benefits for older adults. However, sometimes these programmes, despite good intentions, can perpetuate negative stereotypes about ageing and youthful ideas about good life. Have we forgot to ask old people themselves how and why they are (not) active? As our guest explains, ageing is not only a physical and psychological phenomenon, but also a cultural phenomenon. Cultural narratives including ageing-as-decline, successful ageing and active ageing can have significant consequences on how we make meaning of later life. In this episode, we ask critical questions about what is ageing, who is an older person, and what implications different physical activity campaigns for older adults might have. Dr Adam Evans is currently an Associate Professor in Sociology of Sport at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sport (NEXS) at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He is the current director of the Sport, Health and Innovation research group at NEXS, and is Editor in Chief of the European Journal for Sport and Society (www.tandfonline.com/toc/ress20/current). His research interests cohere around understanding the lived experiences of sport, physical activity amongst several groups, including older adults and those with specific health needs, together with work in swimming and aquatic activity.
Jun 27
58 min
/Highlights/ The Best Strategies to Improve Compliance in PA Measurements with Children - Dr Matteo Crotti (Pt 3)
Dr. Matteo Crotti has got his PhD from the Liverpool John Moores University. He has been involved in various research projects concerning children’s physical activity, motor skills and health. Furthermore, he conducted a study concerning the relationship between play behaviours and motor skills in preschool children. His early career researcher was in the field of Sports Sciences and his key research focus on physical activity promotion, physical activity assessment, physical education and coaching. ----------------------------------------- This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | The New Gold Standard for Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Monitoring Learn more about Fibion: fibion.com/research --- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely - Discover new Fibion SENS Motion: https://sens.fibion.com/
Jun 25
28 min
/Highlights/ Avoid These Common Mistakes in PA Measurements with Children - Dr Matteo Crotti (Pt2)
Dr. Matteo Crotti has got his PhD from the Liverpool John Moores University. He has been involved in various research projects concerning children’s physical activity, motor skills and health. Furthermore, he conducted a study concerning the relationship between play behaviours and motor skills in preschool children. His early career researcher was in the field of Sports Sciences and his key research focus on physical activity promotion, physical activity assessment, physical education and coaching. ----------------------------------------- This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | The New Gold Standard for Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Monitoring Learn more about Fibion: fibion.com/research --- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely - Discover new Fibion SENS Motion: https://sens.fibion.com/
Jun 21
28 min
/Highlights/ How to Choose the Right PA Assessment Method for Project with Children? Dr Matteo Crotti (Pt1)
Dr. Matteo Crotti has got his PhD from the Liverpool John Moores University. He has been involved in various research projects concerning children’s physical activity, motor skills and health. Furthermore, he conducted a study concerning the relationship between play behaviours and motor skills in preschool children. His early career researcher was in the field of Sports Sciences and his key research focus on physical activity promotion, physical activity assessment, physical education and coaching. ----------------------------------------- This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | The New Gold Standard for Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Monitoring Learn more about Fibion: fibion.com/research --- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely - Discover new Fibion SENS Motion: https://sens.fibion.com/
Jun 17
33 min
/Highlights/ Fibion Student Lab for Convenient and Versatile Active Learning - Dr Miriam Cabrita (Pt3)
Learn more about Fibion Student Lab: https://fibion.com/studentlab For any questions and quote, please contact Dr Miriam Cabrita at [email protected] --- Dr Miriam Cabrita has done her Bachelor and Master degrees at NOVA School of Science and Technology in Portugal, and her PhD in biomedical engineering in University of Twente Then she has worked at Roessingh Research and Development Center in Netherlands for 8 years coordinating and managing EU research projects related to eHealth Teaching also courses on Physical Activity, Digital Health and Virtual Coaching at the University of Twente. She has acted as a Board Member for 5 years in International Society for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour (ISMPB) Currently she is working as a Chief Customer Officer at Fibion Inc. _____________________ This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | Better Sleep, Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle --- Learn more about Fibion Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Solutions: https://sleepmeasurements.fibion.com/ --- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely - Discover groundbreaking Fibion SENS: https://sens.fibion.com/ --- SB and PA measurements, analysis, and feedback made easy.  Learn more about Fibion Research : fibion.com/research --- Follow Fibion on Twitter https://twitter.com/fibion Follow host Dr Olli Tikkanen on Twitter https://twitter.com/ollitikkanen Follow the podcast on Twitter https://twitter.com/PA_Researcher
Jun 13
25 min
/Highlights/ Simple Daily Habits to Increase Physical Activity for People with Disabilities – Dr. James Haley (Pt3)
Can small daily changes really improve health outcomes for people with disabilities? Dr. James Haley believes they can—and he explains how.From setting water bottle goals to using wearable tech, this episode dives into practical strategies backed by science and lived experience. In the final part of this enlightening series, Dr. James Haley joins Dr. Olli Tikkanen to discuss accessible, research-based methods for increasing physical activity in people with disabilities. Dr. Haley emphasizes the importance of small, consistent habits and how mobile health technologies—including wearables and behavior change apps—can help form sustainable routines. He shares simple strategies like smart reminders, social accountability, and goal-setting that anyone can integrate into their daily life. The episode also covers the role of wearable technologies in monitoring movement, heart rate, and sleep, along with their limitations in cost and accessibility. Dr. Haley explores how biomechanical feedback from devices might inform both research and personal activity habits. In addition, he offers a global perspective on funding challenges, collaboration needs, and the value of AI in democratizing support and feedback for people with disabilities. The episode ends with an optimistic message: meaningful change doesn't require perfection—it just requires a step forward, however small. _______________________________ This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | Better Sleep, Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle --- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely - Discover ground-breaking Fibion SENS --- SB and PA measurements, analysis, and feedback made easy.  Learn more about Fibion Research --- Learn more about Fibion Sleep and Fibion Circadian Rhythm Solutions. --- Fibion Kids - Activity tracking designed for children. --- Collect self-report physical activity data easily and cost-effectively with Mimove. --- Explore our Wearables,  Experience sampling method (ESM), Sleep,  Heart rate variability (HRV), Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity article collections for insights on related articles. --- Refer to our article "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Measurements" for an exploration of active and sedentary lifestyle assessment methods. --- Learn about actigraphy in our guide: Exploring Actigraphy in Scientific Research: A Comprehensive Guide. --- Gain foundational ESM insights with "Introduction to Experience Sampling Method (ESM)" for a comprehensive overview. --- Explore accelerometer use in health research with our article "Measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Accelerometers ". --- For an introduction to the fundamental aspects of HRV, consider revisiting our Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability. --- Follow the podcast on Twitter https://twitter.com/PA_Researcher Follow host Dr Olli Tikkanen on Twitter https://twitter.com/ollitikkanen Follow Fibion on Twitter https://twitter.com/fibion https://www.youtube.com/@PA_Researcher
Jun 9
17 min
/Highlights/ Barriers to Physical Activity for People with Disabilities - Dr. James Haley (Pt2)
What stops people with disabilities from being physically active? In this episode, we discuss real barriers—and real solutions—from lived experiences and research.From neuropathic pain to equipment costs, Dr. James Haley shares what truly matters when designing inclusive activity interventions. In this continuation of the conversation between Dr. James Haley and host Dr. Olli Tikkanen, the focus shifts to the day-to-day challenges that prevent people with disabilities—especially spinal cord injuries—from engaging in physical activity. Dr. Haley outlines individual, environmental, and social barriers, such as fatigue, lack of adapted equipment, inaccessible facilities, and social stigma. Importantly, he also shares insights into what motivates and supports physical activity, including community, co-designed interventions, and creative at-home options. The episode explores how sports like wheelchair basketball foster belonging and motivation, while also addressing global disparities in access to inclusive programs. Dr. Haley also touches on his vision for scaling his work beyond the UK to low- and middle-income countries. Finally, the discussion includes practical examples and participant experiences from his research, as well as reflections on co-design principles and the potential future role of AI in enhancing adaptive health technologies. _____________   This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | Better Sleep, Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle --- Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely - Discover ground-breaking Fibion SENS --- SB and PA measurements, analysis, and feedback made easy.  Learn more about Fibion Research --- Learn more about Fibion Sleep and Fibion Circadian Rhythm Solutions. --- Fibion Kids - Activity tracking designed for children. --- Collect self-report physical activity data easily and cost-effectively with Mimove. --- Explore our Wearables,  Experience sampling method (ESM), Sleep,  Heart rate variability (HRV), Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity article collections for insights on related articles. --- Refer to our article "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Measurements" for an exploration of active and sedentary lifestyle assessment methods. --- Learn about actigraphy in our guide: Exploring Actigraphy in Scientific Research: A Comprehensive Guide. --- Gain foundational ESM insights with "Introduction to Experience Sampling Method (ESM)" for a comprehensive overview. --- Explore accelerometer use in health research with our article "Measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Accelerometers ". --- For an introduction to the fundamental aspects of HRV, consider revisiting our Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability. --- Follow the podcast on Twitter https://twitter.com/PA_Researcher Follow host Dr Olli Tikkanen on Twitter https://twitter.com/ollitikkanen Follow Fibion on Twitter https://twitter.com/fibion https://www.youtube.com/@PA_Researcher
Jun 5
19 min
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