Research Design and Development of a Fitness Measurement Technology to Motivate Exercise in the General Population using an F Q Scoring Index

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Regular physical exercise can help prevent conditions associated with reduced longevity; e.g.Obesity, Diabetes, Musculoskeletal Sarcopenia, Cardiovascular ailments and Arthritis.Commercial fitness centres lose 40 to 55% of their members per year with 50% dropping outwithin six months due to a number of demotivational factors. Reporting improvements infitness is critically important in encouraging an individual to continue exercising.MIE Medical Ltd is proposing to develop a freestanding touch screen kiosk. Encompassing anumber of monitoring technologies, the concept will allow for gender and age specificphysiological parameters to be measured and the data statistically analysed outputting aFitness Quotient (FQ). Individuals are guided through a series of key tasks based around anumber of core skills. The FQ value provides a quick and objective measurement of anindividual’s overall fitness, and easy to understand graphical trends demonstrate areas ofweakness, strengths and fitness over time. This level of feedback will make it more likely thatan individual will continue to maintain a regular exercise program.The UK health and fitness industry has a total market value of £3.81 billion. There areapproximately 6019 health and fitness clubs in the UK with 7.6 million members and the top40 operators oversee 1520 clubs. The top 10 operators in the UK control 692 centres: (1)Virgin Active; (2) Fitness First; (3) David Lloyd; (4) LA Fitness; (5) DW Sports Fitness; (6)Nuffield Fitness and Wellbeing; (7) Bannatynes; (8) Pure Gym; (9) Living Well; and (10)Marriot. The 2013 UK Fitness Industry Report highlights that fitness has ‘bounced back’, andthat memberships have grown 4.6% in 2012/13 (up from 3.4% the previous year) highlightingthat fitness is a growth industry.