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An Exploratory Analysis of User Needs and Design Issues of Wearable Technology for Monitoring Running Performances

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Advances in Simulation and Digital Human Modeling (AHFE 2020)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 1206))

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Abstract

Wearable devices are becoming a “virtual coach” for novice, recreational and competitive runnner. In fact, wearable devices are non intrusive and can ecologically monitor the performance and the well-being of the runner, providing personalize information to enhance performance, comfort and prevention. In this paper we present an exploratory study of user needs and design specifications to develop wearable devices for long distance runners. Data was collected in twenty-two runners (16 females, 6 males, aged (35.54 ± 14.85 years)). Our results showed that 59% of participants is interested in being monitored and having feedback by a wearable device. Especially, only 27% of them like to be monitored during running activity. In conclusion, only 9.1% of runners consider the wearable device as a “virtual coach” for real-time feedback of their performance.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the subjects that took parts in the study for their patience, commitments, and motivated collaboration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Product Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Sofia Scataglini, Eline Cools, Johan Neyrinck & Stijn Verwulgen

Authors
  1. Sofia Scataglini
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  2. Eline Cools
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  3. Johan Neyrinck
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  4. Stijn Verwulgen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sofia Scataglini .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. RDRL-HRF-D, Building 519, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, USA

    Daniel N Cassenti

  2. Department of Product Development, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Sofia Scataglini

  3. Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Lyndon Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Sudhakar L. Rajulu

  4. U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Orlando, FL, USA

    Julia L. Wright

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Scataglini, S., Cools, E., Neyrinck, J., Verwulgen, S. (2021). An Exploratory Analysis of User Needs and Design Issues of Wearable Technology for Monitoring Running Performances. In: Cassenti, D., Scataglini, S., Rajulu, S., Wright, J. (eds) Advances in Simulation and Digital Human Modeling. AHFE 2020. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 1206. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51064-0_27

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