Personal Training Research Articles

Edge human activity recognition using federated learning on constrained devices

Human Activity Recognition (HAR) using wearable Internet of Things (IoT) devices represents a well investigated researched field encompassing various application domains. Many current approaches rely on cloud-based methodologies for gathering data from diverse users, resulting in the creation of extensive training datasets. Although this strategy facilitates the application of powerful Machine Learning (ML) techniques, it raises significant privacy concerns, which can become particularly severe given the sensitivity of HAR data. Moreover, the labeling process can be extremely time-consuming and even more challenging for IoT wearable devices due to the absence of efficient input systems. In this paper, we address both aforementioned challenges by designing, implementing, and validating edge-based Human Activity Recognition (HAR) systems that operate on resource-constrained IoT devices, which relies on the utilization of Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) for activity detection. We incorporate a feature selection process before training to reduce data dimensionality and, consequently, the SOM size, aligning with the resource limitations of wearable IoT devices. Additionally, we explore the application of Federated Learning (FL) techniques for HAR tasks, enabling new users to leverage SOM models trained by others on their respective datasets. Our federated Extreme Edge (EE)-aware HAR system is implemented on a wearable IoT device and rigorously tested against state-of-the-art and experimental datasets. The results demonstrate that our C++-based SOM implementation achieves a consistent reduction in model size compared to state-of-the-art approaches. Furthermore, our findings highlight the effectiveness of the FL-based approach in overcoming personalized training challenges, particularly in onboarding scenarios.

Exploring evolving H.R. and recruitment strategies in the age of technology advancements based on artificial intelligence

With the advancement of Technology, it has become imperative for H.R. and recruitment strategies to adapt. This paper will highlight the emerging trends in H.R. and Recruitment driven by Technology. One prominent trend in H.R. Technology is the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (A.I.). A.I. is already utilized to streamline and automate H.R. processes like resume screening, interview scheduling, and performance reviews. Looking ahead, A.I. is anticipating a significant impact on H.R. by aiding organizations in making better hiring decisions, designing personalized training programs, and fostering more engaging employee experiences. Another notable trend in H.R. Technology revolves around the transition towards cloud-based platforms. These platforms offer advantages over on-premises systems, including scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. As a result of the various benefits brought by Technology, we would bring about the critical themes in the form of the strategies that the organizations should adopt to enhance their productivity in Recruitment and selection with the help of bibliometric analysis, thematic analysis, ISM (interpretive structuring model) and MICMAC analysis.

Implementasi Prinsip-Prinsip Good Governance di Kantor Dinas Kependudukan Dan Pencatatan Sipil Kota Tangerang Selatan

The South Tangerang Civil Registration Population Service has the task of providing community service by applying the principles of Good Governance. In its implementation, several problems are still found, such as a system that is often down and employee responsiveness which is part of accountability and there is still discrimination in services which is part of legal violations of rights. Same. This research aims to find out how the principles of Good Governance are implemented in the Population and Civil Registry Office in South Tangerang City. The method used is descriptive with a qualitative approach in data collection techniques in the form of interviews, observation and documentation. The results of this research are, 1. Accountability has carried out accountability every day, and each division has carried out accountability through reporting to the head of service where the results of the report usually contain sanctions for employees who are negligent in their duties, and the competencies possessed by the employees. And it is necessary to involve community participation to monitor the performance of the institution, 2. Transparency has been carried out well by the institution but there needs to be increased training and awareness of employees, 3. Participation has been carried out well by the institution but there needs to be training related to digital literacy involving the community and figures community, and creating inclusive forums in order to create good public services and in accordance with the principles of good governance, 4. The rule of law is not yet running well because there are still acts of discrimination by differentiating services between someone who has a position and one who does not have a position, so it is necessary to law enforcement that is applied fairly and inclusively regardless of a person's social status and training through education in schools.

The work Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise program for preventing functional decline in employees aged 55 years and older: development and initial evaluation

BackgroundDespite the global increase in older employees, workplace physical activity interventions (WPAIs) for this target group have not yet been sufficiently developed. The major drawback of existing WPAIs is low adherence due to lack of time or limited motivation. A novel approach could be to integrate tailored neuromotor and strength exercises into everyday working tasks to prevent the functional decline of older employees at the workplace without needing much additional time for training. This approach was tested in the present study by evaluating the proof-of-concept of a novel WPAI based on the Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program integrated into a working environment (wLiFE55 +).MethodsThe proof-of-concept of wLiFE55 + was quantified within a 4-week pre-post exercise intervention study by measuring (1) feasibility including adherence, activity frequency, adverse events and acceptance (integrability of wLiFE55 + activities, perceived improvement and safety, satisfaction, physical demand, personal trainer session, intervention content) and (2) pre-to-post changes in neuromotor function (12-Level Balance Scale, 12-LBS; Community Balance and Mobility Scale, CBM), strength (60sec Chair Stand Test), and PA (1-week activity monitoring). For statistical analysis, the median and interquartile range (IQR) were computed. For pre-to-post changes, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with effect size (r) were also performed.ResultsSeventeen older employees (mean age 59 years, 8 female) were included of which fifteen completed the study. The intervention adherence was 100%, and the activity adherence was 58% (9 out of 12 maximum possible wLiFE55 + activities implemented). Depending on the specific activity, the frequency of practice ranged between 25–75% of the days of the intervention period, and single wLiFE55 + activities were practiced between one and three times per day. No adverse events occurred, and acceptance was high. Pre-to-post increases with medium effect sizes were found for neuromotor function (CBM, 12-LBS) and specific PA variables (total sedentary time, sedentary bouts > 30 min).ConclusionThe results of the study highlight the feasibility of wLiFE55 + in a work setting with older employees. The pre-to-post increases observed in neuromotor measures and reductions in sedentary time suggest that wLiFE55 + may counteract the age-related functional decline in older employees and justifies future studies in this field. The next steps are program adjustments to boost exercise frequency and evaluating wLiFE55 + in a randomized controlled trial.

Importance of Bilateral Limb Symmetries in Olympic Clay Shooting: A Prospective Intervention Study

The presented prospective controlled trial investigated the impact of neuromuscular asymmetry correction programs on Olympic clay shooting performance. The examination involved 33 subjects over six weeks, divided into an intervention (n = 18) and a control group (n = 15). After the initial assessment, subjects in the intervention group were given personalized training protocols to correct the identified asymmetries. The analyses revealed improvements of the intervention group in grip strength asymmetry (p = 0.012), single leg balance test (p = 0.027), YBT-LQ anterior reach (p = 0.036), and composition score (p < 0.001) alongside enhanced shooting scores (p < 0.001). There were no significant changes in the control group. The findings suggest a direct link between asymmetry correction and shooting accuracy, which agrees with similar research findings of other sports. This is a novel insight into the specific fitness demands for Trap and Skeet athletes and underscores the value of addressing asymmetries and incorporating regular assessments of these parameters in training routines, along with individually tailored corrective programs.

Features of the Morphofunctional Status and Mechanisms of Vegetative Regulation in Female University Students with Disabilities after Finishing Personal Training Programs

Features of the Morphofunctional Status and Mechanisms of Vegetative Regulation in Female University Students with Disabilities after Finishing Personal Training Programs

Personal Training Is a Great Way for Psychotherapists to Empathize With Their Clients

Personal Training Is a Great Way for Psychotherapists to Empathize With Their Clients

Empowering Personal Trainers to Work with Individuals with Disabilities to Improve Their Fitness.

The benefits of regular physical activity for individuals with disabilities (IWDs) are well recognized. Nonetheless, IWDs report several barriers to physical activity participation, including limited access to qualified and experienced personal trainers. Limited research exists from personal trainers' perspective. This qualitative study aimed to examine the experiences of personal trainers who successfully improve the fitness of IWDs. Individual interviews were conducted with ten personal trainers, focusing on educational and occupational background, experiences training IWDs, and experiences training IWDs within gyms. Thematic analysis produced five themes: (1) personal trainers working with IWDs need specialized education and extensive, often multidisciplinary, experience; (2) personal trainers are most successful when they have the opportunity to work with IWDs who have a diverse range of disabilities and differing expressions of each; (3) a robust network between personal trainers and allied healthcare providers is necessary to support IWDs; (4) access to physical activity is enhanced when trainers manage resources appropriately; and (5) personal trainers can empower IWDs to be advocates for their physical activity needs. Future research could examine the effects of an adaptive hands-on educational intervention among personal trainers to enhance IWDs' health and fitness.

Relationship between Interlimb Asymmetries and Performance Variables in Adolescent Tennis Players.

Tennis is an individual sport characterised by high-intensity action, including sprints and changes of direction (COD). However, there is a gap in the knowledge of limb asymmetries in adolescent tennis players and their association with performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between asymmetry in vertical and horizontal jump tests (CMJ and HJ) and COD with lower limb performance variables in adolescent tennis players. Forty-five adolescent tennis players (age: 13.81 ± 1.08 years; height: 167.64 ± 9.9 cm; body mass: 57.48 ± 10.94 kg; body mass index: 20.27 ± 2.18 kg/m2) performed the CMJ test (unilateral and bilateral), horizontal jumps (unilateral and bilateral), 25 m sprint, and 180° COD test. The single-leg countermovement jump showed the greatest asymmetries among the different tests (6.62 ± 9.35%). Notable negative relationships were found between CMJ asymmetry and COD asymmetry with unilateral horizontal jump variables (r = -0.30 to -0.53). In addition, CMJ asymmetry showed notable relationships with CMJR (r = 0.49) and COD180R (r = 0.29), whereas COD asymmetry showed a notable relationship with COD180L (r = 0.40). On the other hand, HJ asymmetry showed no notable relationships with any variable. The main findings of this study indicate that greater imbalances in the CMJ and COD tests are associated with a reduced capacity to perform unilateral horizontal jumps. These results suggest the incorporation of training protocols to reduce interlimb asymmetries in growing athletes to improve their performance. This practical application is important for coaches and physical trainers who aim to improve the physical performance of adolescent tennis players. Greater asymmetry results in a reduced ability to produce unilateral horizontal force.

Maximizing the performance of badminton athletes through core strength training: Unlocking their full potential using machine learning (ML) modeling

Core strength training plays an essential role in maximizing performance for badminton athletes. The core muscles in the abdominal, back, and hip regions provide stability, enable efficient power transfer between the upper and lower body, and allow for rapid changes in direction - all crucial components for success in badminton. However, optimizing core training requires an understanding of its impact on sport-specific skills. A variety of exercises targeting the abdominal, back, and hip muscles are discussed. Incorporating core strength training into regular regimens can improve athletes' overall strength, endurance, balance, control, and prevent injuries. This study investigates the effects of various core exercises on stability, agility, and power in badminton players. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to explore the biomechanical demands of badminton and how core musculature contributes to movements like serving, smashing, and lunging. Studies assessing the effects of core training programs in related racquet sports were also examined. The results indicate that targeted core exercises significantly improve athletes' stability, agility, and power output. Exercises targeting the abdominal, back, and hip muscles enhance performance capabilities while reducing injury risk. Machine learning (ML) techniques are then applied to further analyze the relationship between core training and athletic performance. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is developed using a dataset of athletes' training histories, metrics, and injury profiles. The model predicts enhancements to stability, agility, and strength from optimized core strengthening routines. Validation confirms the network accurately captures the complex interactions between training variables and physical attributes. This integrated approach provides evidence-based guidelines for tailoring individualized training regimens to unleash players' full abilities. ANNs hold promise for analyzing large datasets on athletes' performance metrics, training variables, and injury histories to design personalized training programs. Linear regression analysis confirmed the ANN's accurate predictions. The findings emphasize integrating data-driven core strength training tailored for badminton into comprehensive programs can help optimize physical abilities and elevate performance levels.

Ethnographer’s Bias: Cultivating Reflexivity

Ethnographic researchers enter their field with already existing preconceptions which inevitably arise from their own personal and professional histories and training. This article focuses on the researcher’s subjectivity, reflexivity, and possible sources of bias. After sharing her own experience with bias during field-research, the author invites the reader to think critically over their own research designs. This paper introduces three practical approaches towards reflexivity in social science: searching for the potential sources of our bias; questioning ourselves throughout the research process; and a collective approach.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Preventive Practices Regarding Exercise-related Acute Cardiovascular Events in Gym Trainers

Abstract Exercise is a powerful tool in preventing and reducing the occurrence of lifestyle diseases. However, engaging in intense physical activity, especially activities that are unfamiliar, can increase the risk of heart complications, particularly in individuals who are not very physically active. The number of health clubs is growing, leading to a significant increase in the number of fitness trainers who provide guidance and motivation during workout sessions. As a result, it is crucial for fitness center trainers to minimize complications by prescribing personalized workout regimens and promptly addressing any incidents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on gym trainers who had a basic level certification lasting 6 months or more and at least 1 year of experience, using convenience sampling. Trainers with medical or paramedical qualifications were excluded. A questionnaire designed by the researchers was distributed among the gym trainers. Descriptive data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel to calculate the percentages. The study found that 51% (120) of the participants were knowledgeable about chest pain, while only 14% (32) were aware that light-headedness and tiredness were symptoms indicating possible cardiovascular events. This implies that the trainers surveyed had limited knowledge. In terms of attitude, when asked about their confidence in recognizing symptoms of a heart attack, only 2% were very confident, 38% were neutral, and 8% were not confident at all. Only 38% of trainers practiced risk stratification/pre-exercise screening, and only 44% followed the guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The study suggests that certified gym trainers lack sufficient knowledge, possess a neutral attitude, and do not frequently implement preventive measures related to exercise-related acute cardiovascular arrest.

Immersive virtual reality for interdisciplinary trauma management – initial evaluation of a training tool prototype

IntroductionEmergency care of critically ill patients in the trauma room is an integral part of interdisciplinary work in hospitals. Live threatening injuries require swift diagnosis, prioritization, and treatment; thus, different medical specialties need to work together closely for optimal patient care. Training is essential to facilitate smooth performance. This study presents a training tool for familiarization with trauma room algorithms in immersive virtual reality (VR), and a first qualitative assessment.Materials and methodsAn interdisciplinary team conceptualized two scenarios and filmed these in the trauma room of the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany in 3D-360°. This video content was used to create an immersive VR experience. Participants of the Department of Anesthesiology were included in the study, questionnaires were obtained and eye movement was recorded.Results31 volunteers participated in the study, of which 10 (32,2%) had completed specialist training in anesthesiology. Participants reported a high rate of immersion (immersion(mean) = 6 out of 7) and low Visually Induced Motion Sickness (VIMS(mean) = 1,74 out of 20). Participants agreed that VR is a useful tool for medical education (mean = 1,26; 1 very useful, 7 not useful at all). Residents felt significantly more secure in the matter after training (p < 0,05), specialist showed no significant difference.DiscussionThis study presents a novel tool for familiarization with trauma room procedures, which is especially helpful for less experienced residents. Training in VR was well accepted and may be a solution to enhance training in times of low resources for in person training.

Gradient Inversion Attacks: Impact Factors Analyses and Privacy Enhancement.

Gradient inversion attacks (GIAs) have posed significant challenges to the emerging paradigm of distributed learning, which aims to reconstruct the private training data of clients (participating parties in distributed training) through the shared parameters. For counteracting GIAs, a large number of privacy-preserving methods for distributed learning scenario have emerged. However, these methods have significant limitations, either compromising the usability of global model or consuming substantial additional computational resources. Furthermore, despite the extensive efforts dedicated to defense methods, the underlying causes of data leakage in distributed learning still have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this paper tries to reveal the potential reasons behind the successful implementation of existing GIAs, explore variations in the robustness of models against GIAs during the training process, and investigate the impact of different model structures on attack performance. After these explorations and analyses, this paper propose a plug-and-play GIAs defense method, which augments the training data by a designed vicinal distribution. Sufficient empirical experiments demonstrate that this easy-toimplement method can ensure the basic level of privacy without compromising the usability of global model.

FORMATION OF COMPETENCE OF FITNESS AND RECREATION SPECIALISTS IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The relevance of the study is the challenges of the fitness industry in recent times. Having suffered significant losses due to quarantine restrictions and the continuation of military operations on the territory of Ukraine, priority directions for the development of fitness and recreation were determined. These vectors require interested organizations and heads of higher education institutions of physical culture and health profile to take into account the modern demand of the population for fitness and recreational services and to contribute to the development of a system of training relevant personnel. The purpose of this work is to study the state and modern requirements for the training of fitness and recreation specialists in higher education institutions. Methods: theoretical analysis of literary sources, questionnaires, pedagogical observations, methods of mathematical statistics. Results. According to the results of the study, regarding the determination of the professional training of masters of the Institute of Health Care, it was possible to state that only in 9.43 % of respondents found a basic level of fitness skills, 13.2 % of higher education graduates have a threshold level, and 77.37 % have not developed clear abilities for professional growth, which does not allow them to effectively carry out fitness and recreational activities. According to the results of a survey of fitness clubs administrations in Rivne and Vinnytsia, the categories of specialists that are most needed in the fitness industry today are determined:51 % are fitness trainers, 22 % – service sales manager, 21 % – marketers, 6 % are administrators. As a result, it was possible to establish that the respondents give preference to a specialist with an educational and qualification level when selecting personnel: specialist junior bachelor – 24 %, bachelor – 33 %, master’s degree – 36 %, 7 % believe that the level of education is not important. In addition, the majority of respondents give preference to specialists with up to 3 years of work experience – 16 %, from 3 to 5 years – 60 %, over 10 years – 24 %. Based on the analysis of the state of training of fitness and recreation specialists, we have proposed a technology for the formation of fitness and recreation competence in future specialists. Conclusions: the state and requirements for quality training of fitness and recreation specialists to satisfy the requests of service consumers are determined.

Indicators of technostress, their association with burnout and the moderating role of support offers among nurses in German hospitals: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo examine the level of indicators of technostress among nurses with and without a leadership position, the relationship between indicators of technostress and burnout and the moderating role of support...

Assessing Carbohydrate Counting Accuracy: Current Limitations and Future Directions.

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic autoimmune disease with a high impact on global health, affecting millions of adults and resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Achieving optimal blood glucose levels is crucial for diabetes management to prevent acute and long-term complications. Carbohydrate counting (CC) is widely used by patients with type 1 diabetes to adjust prandial insulin bolus doses based on estimated carbohydrate content, contributing to better glycemic control and improved quality of life. However, accurately estimating the carbohydrate content of meals remains challenging for patients, leading to errors in bolus insulin dosing. This review explores the current limitations and challenges in CC accuracy and emphasizes the importance of personalized educational programs to enhance patients' abilities in carbohydrate estimation. Existing tools for assessing patient learning outcomes in CC are discussed, highlighting the need for individualized approaches tailored to each patient's needs. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature was conducted to identify educational programs and assessment tools dedicated to training diabetes patients on carbohydrate counting. The research aims to provide insights into the benefits and limitations of existing tools and identifies future research directions to advance personalized CC training approaches. By adopting a personalized approach to CC education and assessment, healthcare professionals can empower patients to achieve better glycemic control and improve diabetes management. Moreover, this review identifies potential avenues for future research, paving the way for advancements in personalized CC training and assessment approaches and further enhancing diabetes management strategies.

The effects of five weeks of climbing training, on and off the wall, on climbing specific strength, performance, and training experience in female climbers-A randomized controlled trial.

Recent research has elucidated the effects of strength training on climbing performance. Although local muscular endurance training of the upper-limbs and finger flexors is frequently suggested, there is currently insufficient evidence to support its impact on climbing performance and climbing-specific strength. Furthermore, there is no evidence on climbers' experiences related to training and the likelihood of consistent engagement. In addition, the effects of more climbing-specific strength training on walls with built in lights and adjustable angles have yet to be examined. The low percentage of studies involving female subjects, additionally, demonstrates a significant gap in understanding the specific effects of strength training on women in the context of climbing. The aim of this study was thus to assess the effects of five-week on-, and off-the-wall climbing training on climbing performance, climbing-specific strength, and training experience. Thirty-one female lower-grade to advanced climbers were randomly assigned to either a control group, an off-the-wall training or an on-the-wall training group. Apart from the training regimen, all groups followed their usual climbing and bouldering routine. Subjects trained at least twice a week. Bouldering performance, and maximum strength and muscular endurance of the finger flexors and upper-limbs were assessed before and after the intervention. Furthermore, rate of perceived exertion and discomfort, exercise enjoyment, and exercise pleasure were assessed during the first and last training session, as well as after two and a half weeks of training. Intrinsic training motivation was assessed after the last training session. The results showed trends towards positive effects of off-the-wall training on climbing-specific strength, and on-the-wall training on climbing technique. Furthermore, our finding revealed high exercise enjoyment and intrinsic training motivation for both on- and off-the-wall training. Hence, lower-grade to advanced female climbers should rely on personal training preferences.

The privacy-explainability trade-off: unraveling the impacts of differential privacy and federated learning on attribution methods.

Since the advent of deep learning (DL), the field has witnessed a continuous stream of innovations. However, the translation of these advancements into practical applications has not kept pace, particularly in safety-critical domains where artificial intelligence (AI) must meet stringent regulatory and ethical standards. This is underscored by the ongoing research in eXplainable AI (XAI) and privacy-preserving machine learning (PPML), which seek to address some limitations associated with these opaque and data-intensive models. Despite brisk research activity in both fields, little attention has been paid to their interaction. This work is the first to thoroughly investigate the effects of privacy-preserving techniques on explanations generated by common XAI methods for DL models. A detailed experimental analysis is conducted to quantify the impact of private training on the explanations provided by DL models, applied to six image datasets and five time series datasets across various domains. The analysis comprises three privacy techniques, nine XAI methods, and seven model architectures. The findings suggest non-negligible changes in explanations through the implementation of privacy measures. Apart from reporting individual effects of PPML on XAI, the paper gives clear recommendations for the choice of techniques in real applications. By unveiling the interdependencies of these pivotal technologies, this research marks an initial step toward resolving the challenges that hinder the deployment of AI in safety-critical settings.

The humanization of medical education: publications review

The humanization of medical education is targeted at integration of humanitarian values and approaches into system of education of medical personnel to improve their professional and personal training. This process includes education in medical ethics, development of communication skills, stress management and implementation of humanitarian disciplines into the curriculum. The humanization contributes into formation of empathy, responsibility and professionalism in future physicians that helps to better understand and consider psychological, social and emotional needs of patients. The problems of including humanitarian sciences into medical education are associated with lack of systematic approach, adequate curricula and qualified lecturers. To optimize process, it is necessary to focus on education of ideals and beliefs, development of integrated curricula and enhancement of humanitarian component of education.