Pedal power pioneer works in tandem with University
A North East entrepreneur is working with experts at the University to pioneer new digital technology that could revolutionise the way we exercise and significantly reduce deaths from heart disease in the UK.
Businessman Fred Pernet is the managing director of new company AiDEPT Ltd (Advanced Interactive Digital Exercise Prescription Technology), which is developing the world's most advanced prescription-based interactive exercise software.
Putting in the fun in fitness
This puts the fun into fitness by combining virtual reality video games with a gently progressive cardiovascular workout tailored to each user’s physical ability.
In effect, it is a video game console, an exercise bike and a personal trainer all rolled into one. Each user's details are kept on a personalised computer chip and they can control the computer screen by movements of their head, which are picked up by a small camera.
Mr Pernet believes the venture could be worth over £10 million in three years time and has backing from North East business development organisations Codeworks and Knowledge House, as well as a leading European gym equipment manufacturer.
2.6 million people in the UK have heart and circulatory disease
Currently there are 2.6 million people in the UK with debilitating heart and circulatory disease (source:British Heart Foundation July 2007), and the new technology could have a major impact.
Mr Pernet said: 'AiDEPT has the potential to change people's attitude to exercise and could therefore have a profound effect in death rates from major health problems such as heart disease.'
Codeworks, the Sunderland-based centre for digital innovation where AiDEPT is currently situated, has provided £150,000 in funding and helped steer the company from its early days.
Knowledge House, a business development arm of all five North East universities, has been involved in project management, software development and sourcing university expertise.
Mr Pernet developed the concept for Virtually Augmented Exercise (VAE) while working at Teesside University and he has continued to tap into the ability of leading academics and post-graduate students in the region.
It's a success story
In an initial study using a prototype in the university's Sports Exercise Department, volunteers aged between 50 and 75 exercised for an average of 22 minutes once a week for four weeks. None experienced muscle pain afterwards and they thought that they had been exercising for a much shorter time.
Mr Pernet said: 'The software was 100% successful. It prescribed the correct intensity of exercise for each individual and the gaming element districted them from any negative thoughts about exercise.'
Teesside University's Knowledge House Manager, Geoff Archer added: 'It’s a success story with huge potential and shows how by working in partnership with the region’s universities, innovation can be encouraged across the North East.'
