Can small daily changes really improve health outcomes for people with disabilities? Dr. James Haley believes they can—and he explains how. From setting water bottle goals to using wearable tech, this episode dives into practical strategies backed by science and lived experience.
In the final part of this enlightening series, Dr. James Haley joins Dr. Olli Tikkanen to discuss accessible, research-based methods for increasing physical activity in people with disabilities. Dr. Haley emphasizes the importance of small, consistent habits and how mobile health technologies—including wearables and behavior change apps—can help form sustainable routines. He shares simple strategies like smart reminders, social accountability, and goal-setting that anyone can integrate into their daily life.
The episode also covers the role of wearable technologies in monitoring movement, heart rate, and sleep, along with their limitations in cost and accessibility. Dr. Haley explores how biomechanical feedback from devices might inform both research and personal activity habits. In addition, he offers a global perspective on funding challenges, collaboration needs, and the value of AI in democratizing support and feedback for people with disabilities. The episode ends with an optimistic message: meaningful change doesn't require perfection—it just requires a step forward, however small.
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This podcast episode is sponsored by Fibion Inc. | Better Sleep, Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity Research with Less Hassle
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Collect, store and manage SB and PA data easily and remotely -
Discover ground-breaking Fibion SENS
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SB and PA measurements, analysis, and feedback made easy.
Learn more about Fibion Research
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Learn more about Fibion Sleep and Fibion Circadian Rhythm Solutions.
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Fibion Kids - Activity tracking designed for children.
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Collect self-report physical activity data easily and cost-effectively with Mimove.
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Explore our Wearables, Experience sampling method (ESM), Sleep, Heart rate variability (HRV), Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity article collections for insights on related articles.
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Refer to our article "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Measurements" for an exploration of active and sedentary lifestyle assessment methods.
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Learn about actigraphy in our guide: Exploring Actigraphy in Scientific Research: A Comprehensive Guide.
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Gain foundational ESM insights with "Introduction to Experience Sampling Method (ESM)" for a comprehensive overview.
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Explore accelerometer use in health research with our article "Measuring Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Accelerometers ".
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For an introduction to the fundamental aspects of HRV, consider revisiting our Ultimate Guide to Heart Rate Variability.
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Follow the podcast on Twitter https://twitter.com/PA_Researcher
Follow host Dr Olli Tikkanen on Twitter https://twitter.com/ollitikkanen
Follow Fibion on Twitter https://twitter.com/fibion
https://www.youtube.com/@PA_Researcher
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