Office workers and students who sit for too long could soon get a physical buzz to warn them that they have been sedentary for over an hour, thanks to an invention from a health-tech start-up. Nudging someone to stand up might sound intrusive, but the company behind the idea claims many users are stressed about their lack of daily movement. The “buzz” comes from a smart cushion or ankle band worn by the user which links to an app tracking their physical activity. However, a spokesperson for physical wellness networks stressed that employees or students would never be forced to use these devices by their employers or educators.
The company that developed this tracking technology said it was responding to consumer demand. They pointed out that remote study and entertainment streaming had made it more difficult for people to notice how sedentary they are, therefore increasing the risk of long-term health issues. It said its research had found that one in three young adults were “unaware of how little they actually move each day”. It also found that only a third of 18- to 24-year-olds felt their schools or workplaces provided them with the active-lifestyle tools they needed to stay healthy. The director of the company claimed that “users can now regain complete control of their physical health with gentle, automated reminders.”
Adapted from a health and technology news report (2021)
Using your knowledge of psychology, suggest two ways in which young people could be encouraged to increase their daily physical activity levels.
