humans evolved to exercise - smartfit.rocks · unlike our ape cousins, humans require high levels...
TRANSCRIPT
Unlike our ape cousins, humans require high levels of physical activity to be healthy.Exercise is not optional; it is essential.SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN ǀ SPECIAL EDITION ǀ FALL 2019
“Exercise that emulates the way we evolved is the most naturally engaging and efficient. Therefore it is more likely to be successful.” Cathi Lamberti, founder and CEO, SMARTfit Inc.By Herman Pontzer
Illustration by Bryan Christie
HUMANS EVOLVED TO EXERCISE
• Cognitive/Brain/Neurological Issues now the leading cause of skyrocketing health costs
• Endocrine health – Type 2 Diabetes rapidly on the rise• Structural Health – Falls, back pain and inflammation rapidly on the
rise• Risk to Human DNA – Science clearly shows that if we don’t use it
we lose it - at a DNA level.
Humans took millions of years to develop larger brains and strong leg muscles as we adapted to the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Evidence shows that reversal through lack of use will be much faster.
Failure to Keep Moving is Already Having Consequences
Exercise and Aging
Solid evidence shows that exercise can help to prevent, delay and treat many diseases and conditions that affect individuals as they age.
Exercise has been shown to:
• Help preserve bone mass and strength
• Strengthen muscles and joints
• Stimulate appetite
• Prevent or alleviate symptoms of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes
• Improve cognition
We Know We Should Exercise,
but Do We?
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• Emulates movement reflecting the way we evolved
• FUN and Social
• Highly Engaging – for the kid in everyone
• Motivating - instant feedback
• Quick results
• Goal Oriented - engages the brain effectively
• Combines Cognitive and Motor - “Neurons that fire together wire together.” Hebbian Theory
We Need a Big Solution and Gamification is the Key
ANXIETY FRUSTRATIONFEAR OF FAILURE
HIGH
TASK DIFFICULTY
LOW
LOW HIGHSKILLS
BOREDOM /ROUTINE LOSS OF INTEREST
FLOW
Exercise – Needs to be Easily Customizable to Match Each Individual’s Needs
Exercise – Needs to be Efficient and Address All Parts of the Brain
Frontal LobeCognitively Demanding ActivitiesOpen Skill ActivitiesResistance TrainingMind-Body Exercise
Temporal LobeCardiovascular ExerciseClosed Skill Activities Generalized Physical Activity
Parietal LobeSensory – Rich ActivitiesVisual – Spatial DemandsObject – Based Activities
CerebellumCoordinative ExerciseSkill & Motor LearningOpen Skill Activities
Occipital LobeVisual – Spatial DemandsVisual – Attention DemandsMotor Control & Stimulation
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iOS/Android App User Interface
High Quality HardwareProprietary Operating System
Customized Content
SMARTfit – Powerful Yet Easy to Customize
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Rehab & Wellness for At-Risk Populations
Visual-Motor
VisualCognitive
Motor Dual-tasking
Balance & Vestibular
Case Study on a 70-year-old with 1.5 years of SMARTfit experience, after 5 weeks of targeted training
18% increase in Impulse Control
11% increase in Planning Skills
83% increase in Executive Function
13% increase in Visuospatial Memory
The SMARTfitSolution
and Opportunity
• Dedicated specifically to the aging population
• Research-proven exercise assessment
• Programming clinically designed by specialists on aging
• Engaging, fun, progressive, results-oriented and social