Technology in Physical Activity and Health Promotion
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Book Description
As technology becomes an ever more prevalent part of everyday life and population-based physical activity programmes seek new ways to increase lifelong engagement with physical activity, so the two have become increasingly linked. This book offers a thorough, critical examination of emerging technologies in physical activity and health, considering technological interventions within the dominant theoretical frameworks, exploring the challenges of integrating technology into physical activity promotion and offering solutions for its implementation.
Technology in Physical Activity and Health Promotion occupies a broadly positive stance toward interactive technology initiatives and, while discussing some negative implications of an increased use of technology, offers practical recommendations for promoting physical activity through a range of media, including:
- social media
- mobile apps
- global positioning and geographic information systems
- wearables
- active videogames (exergaming)
- virtual reality settings.
Offering a logical and clear critique of technology in physical activity and health promotion, this book will serve as an essential reference for upper-level undergraduates, postgraduate students and scholars working in public health, physical activity and health and kinesiology, and healthcare professionals.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Introduction to Emerging Technology and Physical Activity Health
1. Foundations of Technology and Health Effects of Physical Activity
Zan Gao, Zachary Pope and Nan Zeng
2. Overview: Promoting Physical Activity and Health through Emerging Technology
Haichun Sun, Nan Zeng and Zan Gao
3. Social and Behavioral Theories in Promoting Physical Activity
Zan Gao and Jung Eun Lee
Part 2: Emerging Technologies in Physical Activity and Health
4. Computer and Internet Use in Enhancing Physical Activity
Jung Eun Lee and Zan Gao
5. Online Social Media and Physical Activity Promotion
Jung Eun Lee and Zan Gao
6. Mobile Device Apps in Enhancing Physical Activity
Zachary Pope and Zan Gao
7. Global Positioning Systems and Geographic Information Systems and Physical Activity
Zachary Pope and Zan Gao
8. Health Wearable Devices and Physical Activity Promotion
Nan Zeng and Zan Gao
9. Active Video Games and Physical Activity
Zan Gao, Nan Zeng and Zachary Pope
10. Virtual Reality in Physical Activity Promotion
Nan Zeng and Zan Gao
Part 3: Applications for Physical Activity and Health Promotion
11. Negative Aspects of Emerging Technologies in Physical Activity Promotion
Zachary Pope and Zan Gao
12. Emerging Technologies in Promoting Physical Activity and Health
Zan Gao
Editor(s)
Biography
Zan Gao is a faculty member at the School of Kinesiology in the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, USA, specializing in physical activity and health. His research has primarily focused on promoting health through population-based physical activity interventions with emerging technologies such as active video games, online social media and mobile device apps.