2. TECHNOLOGY
A device which plans exercise requirements and fixes short exercise
schedules for the user (housewife) throughout the day.
WHAT IT HELPS WITH
• Helps busy part-time housewives to manage time for exercising by
introducing the concept that exercising for a short period can make as
much difference
• It reminds and provides tailored tips for thescheduled exercise.
IMPORTANCE
Chronic degenerative diseases are responsible for a major
proportion of morbidity and mortality among Singaporeans.
Among the modifiable risk factors investigated, physical activity has
demonstrated a fairly consistent association with risk of colon
cancer, cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes mellitus,
osteoporosis and mental health.
cross-sectional survey of women aged between 35 and 60 years
(http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4007/articles/4007a6.html)
“engaging in physical activity reduce the risk of heart attack”
(http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60B5JC20100112)
3. Significant increase in Most common perceived benefit
Part-time housewives, exercising amongst of exercise:
who are generally housewives, from 35% in Contribution to physical well-
educated and largely 2007 to 44% in 2008. being (77.1% )
Psychological well-being (13.8%)
conscious of the Main reasons given by did not know the benefits, or
importance of exercising women for sports thought that there was no
participation are to keep benefit at all (9.1%)
30 – 45 years old fit and to maintain health.
Less likely to exercise compared Females (50%) fall largely below their
to men active male counterparts (64%) in
exercising
Most affected by family and work Most women stated lack of time due to
work (36%) and family (33%)
Feel that lack of time is their commitments as main reasons for not
exercising.
reason for not exercising
Encouraging factors for them include the
availability of time (50%) and the need to
improve their health (17%)
Results from:
2008 survey commissioned by Singapore Sports Council (http://www.ssc.gov.sg/publish/Corporate/en/news/media_releases/2009/SINGAPORE_SPORTS_COUNCIL_TO_EMPOWER_AND_LIBERATE_WOMEN_WITH_AMORE_WOMEN_S_DAY_OUT_2010.htm
Cross-Sectional Survey of Physical Activity Among Middle Aged Women in Singapore http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4007/articles/4007a6.html
4. Targeted activity
Housewives to perform required minimal
amount of exercising based on their
fitness level SHORT BOUTS OF
EXERCISE
THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Task HAVE THE SAME
BENEFITS
Housewives to do short exercises at “If you're short on time and
it works better for you to
intervals throughout the day to reach the split your routine into
minimal required amount several short workouts
throughout the day”
“The only time to worry
about continuous exercise
Goal versus short bouts of
exercise is if you're training
Promote healthy living for housewives for a specific competition or
sport”
through exercising
(http://exercise.about.com/
od/weightlossfaqs/f/shortbo
utsofex.htm)
5. PHYSICAL SOCIAL CULTURAL
•Outdoor to •Availability of • Believes in
indoor family and commitments at
environment, colleagues home (and at
including office work)
and home •Social norm:
Increasing • increase in
•Good deal of number of awareness for
body movements housewives in women to keep fit
workforce – eg. media
Workplace Housework at home
6. Device:
- Input of details Choose setting – Calculate
1
2
3
(weight, height, age) ring/vibrate, strap to housewives’ exercise
- heart rate and hand/leg requirements –
calories burnt length and intensity
constantly noted - Around 10 min per
session
BMI: Using weight and height, the
Body Mass Index is standardised
Beginners
health measurement. The ideal range - exercise at low intensities
is around 18½ -25. -increase the length of time
HR at rest: Generally the lower your
you exercise for before you
resting heart rate is, the fitter you increase the intensity
are.
http://www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/bandolier/
HR Target: The range at which your booth/hliving/startoex.html
heart rate should be during exercise,
based on age and your resting heart
rate.
http://exercise.about.com/cs/fitnesstools/l/bl_THR.htm
7. - Progress bar + Default scheduling – - Reminding alarm
4
5
6
health status Morning, Afternoon, - Exercising tips
- Options to display Night tailored to
total calories burnt, 3 x 10 min housewives’ lifestyle,
total fats calories (recommended fitness level
burnt, total time, minimal)
heartrate
SHAPE UP Alarm
http://www.popgadget.
net/2009/07/dumbbell
_alarm.php
Tips (example)
• do 20 squats while bathing
http://www.gamercize.n • Going home, you can brisk walk
et/ptguide.htm from the bus stop for 5 min and
climb the stairs for 5 min
• Grab a nearby book as your
weight and do 30 reps
http://www.helium.com/items/1521525-
simple-exercises-for-busy-housewives
8. @ work
@ home
Material:
Waterproof, flexible,
Technology to use:
- Data input, Heart Rate counter,
Accelerator, Alarm(vibrator), Tips
update, Display screen
9. 1. Tailored exercising solution for housewives
2. New concept that exercise does not always need
much time and to exercise for a short period can
make a difference
3. Interesting tips and guide suited for housewives’
lifestyle to change opinions that exercising is
tedious and time-consuming
10. • We’d like to hear what you think about the
limitations of the device being watch-like. We think
it is not likely for one to constantly wear it even at
home.
• What do you think can be further implemented to
push/pull housewives to fulfill the task upon the
reminder?
