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Session: Poster Session 1 (Even numbers)
Session starts: Thursday 26 January, 16:00
Presentation starts: 16:00

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Francis Laclé (KU Leuven and University of Aruba)
Sultan Salys (University of Aruba)
Bart Vanrumste (KU Leuven)

Abstract:
Aruba, an island in the Caribbean and part of Kingdom of the Netherlands, has seen in the past decades an upwards trend in life expectancy that is comparable to the regional average [1]. Yet, mortality rates attributed to circulatory causes (including cardiovascular) reduce the life expectancy to 1.02 and 0.56 years for male and female inhabitants respectively, when compared to the Netherlands [2,3]. Cumulative trend analyses on mortality data for seniors (65+) shows cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) to be the top five for Aruba [2]. Fortunately, research has established that exercise and physical activity do decrease the risk of CVD [4–7]. To help reduce CVD incidence, we aim to investigate solutions that innovate on movement sensing, tracking, and coaching technologies. From an engineering perspective, the technical challenge is to overcome gaps in the real time modelling of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) from affordable hardware, and coupling CRF optimization with reinforcement learning. Our main research question is as follows: given zero human intervention, can an agent coach its users to improve their CRF through aerobics exercises within a predetermined period? Two sub-questions are how to accurately model CRF for future aerobics coaching, and second, how to reliably improve CRF with reinforcement learning agents and coaching feedback mechanisms. First, we will conduct cohort studies with local participants to collect data to address the first sub-question. These cohort studies consist of three phases, with maximal tests (measuring VO2max) carried during the first and third phase. During the second phase, we will measure intensity variables such as heart rate, 3D body and joint accelerations, and instantaneous VO2, while participants follow a fixed subset of aerobic exercise routines. By adopting a multimodal approach to measuring intensity, we increase our search space to find a reliable CRF estimator for a fixed subset of aerobic exercises. To increase the financial viability of implementing a new coaching technology that is applicable in small island states such as Aruba, we also prioritize sustainment by considering tradeoffs between innovation and the cost of soft- and hardware procurement and maintenance. REFERENCES 1. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (2022) World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision: Data Portal. https://population.un.org/dataportal/data/indicators/61/locations/533,900,904/start/1950/end/2022/line/linetimeplot Accessed 21 Dec 2022. 2. Verstraeten SPA, van Oers HAM, Mackenbach JP (2020) Contribution of amenable mortality to life expectancy differences between the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaçao and the Netherlands. Rev Panam Salud Publica 44: e38. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32435265 3. Central Bureau of Statistics (2022) Gender Statistics: Health and related services. https://cbs.aw/wp/index.php/2019/11/18/gender-statistics/#health Accessed 21 Dec 2022. 4. Blair SN (1989) Physical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality: A Prospective Study of Healthy Men and Women. JAMA 262: 2395. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1989.03430170057028 5. Thompson PD, Buchner D, Pina IL, Balady GJ, Williams MA, et al. (2003) Exercise and physical activity in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a statement from the Council on Clinical Cardiology (Subcommittee on Exercise, Rehabilitation, and Prevention) and the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism (Subcommittee on Physical Activity). Circulation 107: 3109–3116. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12821592 6. Wilmot EG, Edwardson CL, Achana FA, Davies MJ, Gorely T, et al. (2012) Sedentary time in adults and the association with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia 55: 2895–2905. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22890825 7. Ross R, Blair SN, Arena R, Church TS, Després J-P, et al. (2016) Importance of Assessing Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Clinical Practice: A Case for Fitness as a Clinical Vital Sign: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 134: e653-e699. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27881567