Emerging Health Technologies: Opportunities and Practical Applications for the Exercise Professional w/Dr. Lou Atkinson

This is the tenth episode of our special podcast series exploring the Sept/Oct themed issue of the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health & Fitness Journal on professionalization and advocacy. In this episode, we’ll explore the exciting topic of technology, with Dr. Atkinson, the lead author for the article in the themed issue entitled "Emerging Health Technologies: Opportunities and Practical Applications for the Exercise Professional."

Dr. Atkinson, a leading behavioral scientist, explores the cutting-edge intersection of the exercise profession and health technologies. Discover how wearables, smart equipment, and digital platforms are transforming the way exercise professionals enhance their services and improve public health outcomes. Dr. Atkinson sheds light on the critical role of embracing these innovations, not as threats to job security, but as powerful tools to better serve clients and bridge the gap between fitness and healthcare.

This episode delves into the real-world applications of wearable tech and digital therapeutics in exercise routines. Learn how these tools can provide personalized exercise prescriptions, boost client engagement, and streamline administrative tasks. We also address the potential risks like health anxiety and emphasize the essential role of professional guidance in interpreting data, ensuring a balanced approach that leverages both technology and human expertise.

The conversation doesn’t stop there. We tackle the broader implications of integrating technology into the fitness industry, from making physical activity prescriptions accessible to a wider population to fostering virtual communities that motivate through gamification. Dr. Atkinson discusses the economic and ethical dimensions of wearable devices and highlights the significance of diversity, equality, and inclusion. Tune in to understand how this technological revolution can bridge the gap between fitness professionals and the medical community, ultimately enhancing public health across the board.

Show Notes Page: https://wellnessparadoxpod.com/episodeacsm10

Our Guest: Dr. Lou Atkinson, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc.

Dr. Atkinson is a behavioral scientist and exercise professional, withmore than 15 years experience conducting applied health research, and over two decades of practice in the health and fitness industry. Her research and practice focus on the understanding and influencing the psychosocial determinants of health behaviors, including developing, delivering and evaluating behavior change interventions to reduce disease burden and address health inequalities. Alongside holding honorary posts at Aston University and the University of Warwick in the UK, Lou is the Head of Research at EXI: Exercise Intelligence. EXI is an FDA Class 1 digital therapeutic that provides personalized exercise programs and behavior change support for people with long-term health conditions. EXI is the global MedTech partner of ACSM’s Exercise is Medicine® program.

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