• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.97-108
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to propose a product planning and design direction for smart fitness wear that will improve the impact of personal training based on researching the requirements of smart fitness wear and its acceptance level, as well as the functional demand. The study conducted in-depth interviews with professional fitness trainers and derived five categories and thirteen keywords by analyzing the categorical data analysis using the interview data. In addition, we surveyed general consumers to measure the acceptance level of smart fitness wear and the functional demand for product development. The results revealed that the difference in the acceptance level of smart fitness wear generally depended on the characteristics related to exercise involvement and exercise-related culture rather than on the demographic characteristics. With regard to the difference in the functional demand of smart fitness wear, the results showed that professional trainers focused on the scientific improvement of the effect of exercise while general consumers focused on the function that considers the sustainability of exercise. Based on the results, we proposed product planning and design directions such as 'mounting of heart rate sensing, muscle activity sensing, motion angle or posture sensing, and motion sensing', 'development of concepts and contents for expert line, ordinary line', 'compression wear design', and 'differentiation of product development according to exercise areas'.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.1225-1235
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• 2018

In this study, as a part of practical and customized smart contents development planning research related to smart fitness contents associated with smart wear that can monitor physical activity, we investigated the potential needs for smart fitness contents through research. As a result, the potential needs for smart fitness contents is 'accessibility to use', 'inducement of interest', 'diverse story line' were derived at the stage of 'before exercise', 'Real - time voice coaching', 'accurate exercise posture monitoring', and 'personalized exercise prescription' were derived at the stage of 'during exercise'. At the stage of 'after exercise', 'substantial reward system', 'grading system', 'body figure change monitoring' and 'everyday life monitoring' were derived. At the stage of 'connection to the next exercise', 'triggering exercise motivation', 'high sustainability' wear derived.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.210-220
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• 2023

Recently, smart wearable products, including electromyography (EMG) measurement devices and clothing, have been developed to monitor users' exercise levels, muscle activation, and muscle balance more effectively during fitness activities. However, technical and socioeconomic barriers, such as flexibility and durability, still pose challenges in terms of comfort, ease of wear, and wearability of smart clothing, which includes devices and circuits. To address these issues, this study developed a wearable EMG device integrated with clothing to collect valid EMG signals from desired muscles while maintaining comfort, functionality, and ease of wear. After deriving a combined structure that could stably position the wearable device within the clothing, a prototype was manufactured and evaluated for fit, compression, comfort, and exercise comfort test by ten participants (height = 176.2 cm, weight = 76.4 kg, chest circumference = 101.2 cm). The study found that the prototype had smaller circumferences around the chest, waist, and abdomen compared to commercial products, resulting in lower ratings for wearing comfort and ease of wear. However, the prototype received high ratings for fitting, pressure, and the exercise comfort test. Valid signals were obtained when the EMG device was combined to the prototype for the rectus femoris muscle, indicating stable positioning of the device during exercise.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.218-225
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• 2020

Purpose Wearable devices are widely used in our daily life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between persuasive designs of fitness trackers and users' physical activity behavior. Methods To test the research model, data was collected from a web-based survey in China, resulting in an effective sample of 166 usable questionnaires. The survey was restricted only to respondents who wear a fitness tracker. Results The sample surveyed in this study indicated that half of the respondents had been wearing a smart fitness tracker shorter than one year, and only 27% were long-time users (longer than two years). Dialogue support and social support strategies were both proved to be effective in increasing users' workout behavior intention. Social support strategies had a greater effect on behavior change than dialogue support strategies. Conclusion The findings from this study make several contributions to the practice. Wearable devices developers can employ the result from this study to help them design devices, which can persuade people to do more exercises and preserve a healthier life.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.493-503
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• 2018

Recently, as living standards have improved, many people are becoming more interested in health, and self-training is increasing through exercise to prevent and manage pre-illness. In general, an imbalance of muscles causes asymmetry of posture, which can cause various diseases by accompanying an adjustment force, circulation action, displacement of internal organs, etc.. In this study, the development of fitness software that can be self - training among smart wears has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In this study, a technology was proposed for the commercialization of self - trainer fitness wear by a simulation through Android - based applications. Self - trainer fitness software was developed by combining a conductive polymer, fashion design, sewing, and electric and electronic technology to monitor the unbalance of the muscles during exercise and make smart wear that can calibrate the asymmetry by oneself. In particular, a polymer sensor was fabricated by deriving the optimal MWCNT concentration, and the electrode signal was collected by attaching the electrode to the optimal position, where the electrode signal line using the conductive fiber was designed and attached to collect the signal. A signal module that converts the bio-signals collected through electrical signal conversion and transmits them using Bluetooth communication was designed and manufactured. Self-trainer fitness software that can be commercialized was developed by combining noise cancellation with Android-based self-training application using a software algorithm method.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.632-648
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• 2018

This study aims to contribute to the development of sports wearables. It was conducted by a convergence team of professionals in the fashion industry, kinesiology and sports studies, and computer science and engineering. The purpose of the current study was to design and develop a fabric-type fitness band for a sensor to measure acceleration during jump rope exercises. Computer science and engineering professionals developed the Arduino board and sensor, kinesiology and sports studies provided the necessary exercise protocol, and the fashion industry professionals developed the band. First, a fitness band preference survey was completed by men and women between the ages of 20 and 50. Typical uses of the band included tracking exercise amount as measured by the number of steps taken and calories burned. Strap watch closure, a single color and achromatic color, and soft and smooth touch materials were preferred as band design. Second, two fabric-type fitness bands were designed and developed. Design 1 had a 3-dimensional pocket for the sensor, bright blue color, and stretch binding around the edges and for a loop. Design 2 had a flat pocket for the sensor, achromatic color, mesh binding around the edges and two metal loops. Both designs had Velcro as a closure. Third, wear testing of both bands with the sensor were conducted of 15 women in their 20s. They wore the bands during jump rope exercises. Both bands generally satisfied the participants. The Design 2 band was slightly more satisfying than the Design 1 band.