Why exercising outside is better for
you
Outdoor exercise could be more beneficial than indoor
workouts as a study has found that children exposed to scenes of nature while
exercising are likely to have lower blood pressure. ‘Hypertension is a chronic
health problem across the world, so given the results we have seen in our study
it is crucial that we continue to try to understand the role physical activity
and – in particular – green exercise plays in blood pressure,’ said Michael
Duncan from Coventry University in Britain.
For the study, researchers asked kids aged 9-10 years to
complete a series of 15 minute moderate intensity cycling activities – one
while viewing a video of a forest track synced to the exercise bike and another
with no visual stimulus. The researchers found that after the ‘green exercise’
the children’s post-activity blood pressure was significantly lower than it was
without the simulated forest environment, indicating that the nature scenes
promoted positive health effects.
Source: http://health.india.com
10.04.2014
Google Glass to help people with
Parkinson’s disease?
After unveiling a smart contact lens that monitors glucose
levels in tears in January, Google is now working on to support people with
Parkinson’s disease – via Google Glass, it much-anticipated wearable device to
be launched later this year. Experts at Newcastle University in Britain are
investigating Google Glass as an assistive aid to help people with Parkinson’s
retain their independence for longer. In a first such trial, Google has donated
five pairs of Google Glass to Newcastle University to allow researchers to test
how they could be used to support people with long-term conditions.
‘Google Glass opens up a new space for exploring the design
and development of wearable systems. The beauty of this research project is we
are designing the apps and systems for Glass in collaboration with the users so
the resulting applications should exactly meet their needs,’ lead researcher
John Vines explained. The team has been working with a group of Parkinson’s
volunteers aged between 46-70 years. They are working on the new technology to
provide discreet prompts linked to key behaviours typical of Parkinson’s, such
as reminding the individual to speak up or to swallow to prevent drooling.
Glass can also be used as a personal reminder for things such as medication and
appointments. The team is also exploring how the motion sensors in Glass can be
used to support people with ‘freezing’, a behaviour caused by motor blocking a
common symptom of Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition
affecting up to 10 million people worldwide, with onset generally in those over
50. The condition manifests itself in motor symptoms including rigidity, tremor
and ‘bradykinesia’ or slowness of movement. Aside from the physical signs,
there are a myriad of emotional and social factors relating to loss of
independence, social confidence, embarrassment and stigma.
Source: http://health.india.com
10.04.2014
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