Physical Activity Researcher

Physical Activity Researcher

Hello and Welcome to Physical Activity Researcher Podcast! Physical Activity Researcher Podcast is the source of the latest research findings on all things related to physical activity, exercise, and health. World-renowned scientists and experts as guests in an informal and relaxed interview style format. New episodes on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The podcast is for anyone who likes to learn scientific and evidence-based knowledge of physical activity, exercise, and health. Our listeners range from researchers to health and fitness professionals, and from inactive office workers to marathon runners. Podcast has several series and hosts each concentrating on different aspects of physical activity: Physical Activity Researcher Series The latest research findings in exercise physiology, biomechanics, physical education, coaching sciences, sport psychology, epidemiology, and public health. These episodes are hosted by researcher and entrepreneur Dr Olli Tikkanen. Meaningful Sport Series Meaningful Sport is dedicated to the exploration of meaning and meaningful experiences in sport and physical activity. Many studies have revealed instrumental benefits of physical activity, but is there something more to it, and how does it contribute to meaningful lives? This series is led by Associate Professor Noora Ronkainen. The series provides inspiration for exploring the meaning and value in sport and physical activity for everyone. Practitioner’s Viewpoint Series Practitioner’s Viewpoint Series has health and fitness professionals as guests. How they see sedentary behaviour and physical activity in their work? What are the best practices to promote physical activity? This series is for you if you are a Personal Trainer, Physiotherapist, Medical Doctor, Health Coach, or anyone working as a health and fitness professional. This series is lead by physiotherapist MSc Liis Kukkonen. Publishing schedule: Tuesdays: Physical Activity Researcher Series Friday: Meaningful Sport Series Sundays: Practitioner’s Viewpoint Series. + Bonus episodes and republications of past highlight episodes We hope you find value in the podcast! -Podcasting team-

Episodes

March 28, 2026 24 mins

In today's episode, we continue our conversation with Dr. Aku Nikander, delving into the challenges faced by young athletes in their career journeys. Aku shares his findings on the role of sport organizations in shaping the aspirations and possibilities of youth athletes. Specifically, we uncover the impact of organizational culture and the tensions that arise when implementing a dual career approach in a talent development environ...

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Welcome to a new episode of the Meaningful Sport Podcast! In today's episode, we dive into the world of young athletes and explore how they navigate the challenges of building both their sporting careers and their education. Joining us for this conversation is Dr. Aku Nikander, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Jyväskylä, whose research focuses on athletes' dual careers, career development, adaptability, and organisat...

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In the latest episode of the Physical Activity Researcher Podcast, host Dr. Olli Tikkanen engages in a riveting conversation with mobile app designer and serial entrepreneur, Pedro Wunderlich. With a portfolio boasting over three million app downloads and the backing of prestigious investors who once supported FitBit, Pedro brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. As the co-founder of the Wake N Shake App and React Messenger App,...

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In the latest episode of the "Physical Activity Researcher Podcast," host Dr. Olli Tikkanen engages in a riveting conversation with Pedro Wunderlich, a mobile app designer and serial entrepreneur. Wunderlich, with a track record of over three million app downloads and recognition from Apple for two of his creations, delves deep into the world of behavior change through app design. With a background that boasts raising capital from ...

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In a recent episode of the "Physical Activity Researcher Podcast," hosted by Dr. Olli Tikkanen, listeners are taken on a deep dive into the world of app development, entrepreneurship, and the importance of physical activity in daily life. The episode features Pedro Wunderlich, a mobile app designer, serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of the acclaimed Wake N Shake App and React Messenger App. With a track record of over three milli...

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Amy has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Leeds, who undertook a work placement year at BiB in 2017, working on the ‘Primary School Years’. Amy is currently a PhD Student, working with the JU:MP team and Loughborough University. Her PhD will focus on developing and implementing an intervention to increase physical activity in children and adolescents, using wearable activity trackers (such as Fitbits). He...

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Amy has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Leeds, who undertook a work placement year at BiB in 2017, working on the ‘Primary School Years’. Amy is currently a PhD Student, working with the JU:MP team and Loughborough University. Her PhD will focus on developing and implementing an intervention to increase physical activity in children and adolescents, using wearable activity trackers (such as Fitbits). He...

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Dr. Malin, renowned for his work in utilizing exercise as a therapeutic intervention against obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, shares his insights on the optimal timing and type of exercise for managing these conditions. The discussion also touches on the physiological and behavioral aspects of circadian rhythms, offering a nuanced understanding of personalized healthcare approaches.

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In this insightful episo...

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Dr. Malin, known for his research on using exercise as a therapeutic tool against obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, shares insights into how individual chronotypes – whether one is an early bird or a night owl – can significantly influence exercise effectiveness and overall health.

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In this enlightening episode of the Physical Activity Researcher Podcast, host Dr. Olli Tikkanen engages in a thought-provokin...

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This episode explores various aspects of exercise science, from the efficacy of different exercise intensities to the psychological factors influencing adherence to physical activity.

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In this episode of the Physical Activity Researcher Podcast, Dr. Olli Tikkanen welcomes Dr. Steven Malin, Associate Professor and Director of the Applied Metabolism & Physiology Laboratory (AMP Lab). Dr. Malin, with his extensive background in...

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What if cooling vests could help save lives during mass pilgrimages in extreme heat? Learn how these innovations are being adapted for religious and cultural use.

"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"

 

In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen and José Näf explore the life-saving potential of evaporative cooling vests in extreme environments, including the Hajj pilgrimage, where temperatures can exce...

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Why is evaporative cooling vital for people who cannot sweat, like those with paraplegia or artificial skin? Learn how smart cooling vests support health and safety in extreme conditions.

"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"

In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen and José Näf discuss how evaporative cooling vests support individuals who suffer from heat sensitivity due to medical conditions such as...

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How does an evaporative cooling vest keep your skin up to 5°C cooler for hours—without making you wet? José Näf shares how smart materials can transform temperature regulation.

"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"

In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen continues the conversation with José Näf, co-founder of Duracool, focusing on the design, functionality, and physiological impact of evaporative co...

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What are the real differences between evaporative, phase-changing, electronic, and ice-based cooling vests? Why are athletes, firefighters, and even lab workers turning to these technologies?

"Lean more about Nahtlos Duratrode electrodes at https://www.nahtlos.com/"

 

In this episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen speaks with José Näf, co-founder of Duracool, to break down the science and real-life applications behind different cooling vest te...

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This is the second part of our conversation with Dr Darryn Stamp where we explore  complexities of athlete transitions within professional football. The conversation moves to exploring embodiment and relationship with sport post-retirement. Why is it that some elite and professional athletes have little interest in sport and exercise after their retirement?

Dr. Darryn Stamp played professional football before transitioning his seco...

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Today’s episode continues explorations of the complexities of athlete transitions within professional football. Career transitions often present a challenge to an athlete's identity and change their position in their relational networks. While career transitions have been an established topic in sport psychology, they are still underexplored from a sociological perspective, which informs our conversation today.

Today's guest Dr. Da...

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In the second part of this intriguing episode of the Physical Activity Researcher Podcast, Dr. Olli Tikkanen continues his conversation with Dr. Javier Brazo-Sayavera, focusing on the nuts and bolts of the Global Matrix initiative and how it's evolving with its 5.0 registration process.

Dr. Brazo-Sayavera shares practical insights for countries interested in joining the initiative, including the formation of expert groups and the l...

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In this engaging episode of the Physical Activity Researcher Podcast, Dr. Olli Tikkanen sits down for a chat with Dr. Javier Brazo-Sayavera, who hails from the University of Pablo de Olavide in Spain, to discuss about the Global Matrix initiative.

This significant effort focuses on monitoring the physical activity levels of children from various countries, with the overarching aim of enhancing the health of young individuals worldw...

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Can electrode design support both signal stability and sustainability? José Näf explains how Nahtlos electrodes reduce waste and skin irritation while delivering high-quality data over time.

In this fourth episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen and José Näf explore the technical and environmental details of electrode design for long-term HRV and ECG measurements. José discusses how offset connectors, biocompatible foil materials, and breathabl...

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Can electrode systems self-regulate moisture to keep data quality high for 10 days? José Näf explains how Nahtlos’ innovative design improves both signal stability and skin comfort in long-term ECG and HRV tracking.

In this third episode, Dr. Olli Tikkanen continues the deep dive with José Näf into how advanced electrode technology is addressing the long-standing issues in long-term heart rate variability and ECG measurement. José ...

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