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Millions Rely on Fitness Trackers. A New Study Shows They’re Failing a Key Group

Northwestern researchers developed an open-source algorithm to make fitness tracking more accurate for people with obesity For millions of Americans living with obesity, fitness trackers often fail at the very thing they promise: accurately measuring effort. Why? Most are powered by algorithms built for people without obesity. Now, scientists at Northwestern University say they’ve addressed […]

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Northwestern researchers developed an open-source algorithm to make fitness tracking more accurate for people with obesity

For millions of Americans living with obesity, fitness trackers often fail at the very thing they promise: accurately measuring effort. Why? Most are powered by algorithms built for people without obesity. Now, scientists at Northwestern University say they’ve addressed that flaw with a new open-source algorithm designed specifically for people with obesity.

It’s an important finding, considering that almost one in three Americans use a wearable device to track their health and fitness, according to a 2023 Health Information National Trends Survey.

The issue, researchers say, lies in the algorithms powering most popular fitness trackers. Built around data from average-weight users, they often fail to account for differences in gait, speed and energy expenditure in people with obesity. Researchers found that hip-worn trackers often miscalculate energy burn due to gait differences and device tilt in people with obesity. Similarly, wrist-worn devices are typically more comfortable and easier to wear consistently, but until now, they haven’t been rigorously validated for individuals with higher BMIs.

“People with obesity could gain major health insights from activity trackers, but most current devices miss the mark,” said Nabil Alshurafa, an associate professor of behavioral medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.“Without a validated algorithm for wrist devices, we’re still in the dark about exactly how much activity and energy people with obesity really get each day — slowing our ability to tailor interventions and improve health outcomes.”

His team at Northwestern’s HABits Lab developed and tested the new algorithm, benchmarking it against 11 other models using research-grade devices. They also used wearable cameras to capture every moment when wrist sensors failed to reflect calorie burn accurately.

The study was published June 19 in Nature Scientific Reports. The next step is a planned activity-tracking app, set to launch later this year for both iOS and Android.

The study was personal for Alshurafa, who had attended an exercise class with his mother-in-law, who has obesity.

“She worked harder than anyone else, yet when we glanced at the leaderboard, her numbers barely registered,” Alshurafa said. “That moment hit me: fitness shouldn’t feel like a trap for the people who need it most.”

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For the study, the team recruited two groups of participants. In the first, 27 individuals wore a fitness tracker along with a metabolic cart – a device that calculates energy burn by measuring oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output. Participants completed a series of physical activities, allowing researchers to compare calorie burn estimates from the smartwatch against the metabolic cart readings.

In the second group, 25 participants wore a fitness tracker and a body camera while going about their daily routines. The camera footage allowed researchers to visually confirm when the algorithm over- or underestimated calorie burn.

The study also challenged assumptions about what effort looks like. At times, Alshurafa asked participants to do as many pushups as they could in five minutes.

“Many couldn’t drop to the floor, but each one crushed wall pushups, their arms shaking with effort,” he said. “We celebrate ‘standard’ workouts as the ultimate test, but those standards leave out so many people. These experiences showed me we must rethink how gyms, trackers and exercise programs measure success — so no one’s hard work goes unseen.”





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Revelyst Inc. Unveils Revelyst Golf Technology, Platform for its Golf Innovation Brands

Revelyst Inc. unveiled Revelyst Golf Technology, a dedicated platform built around its category-defining golf brands. This move represents a strategic investment in the next generation of golf innovation, bringing the company’s technologies under one integrated identity. The Revelyst Golf Technology platform unites trusted leaders Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf and PinSeeker, combining leadership across the most […]

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Revelyst Inc. unveiled Revelyst Golf Technology, a dedicated platform built around its category-defining golf brands. This move represents a strategic investment in the next generation of golf innovation, bringing the company’s technologies under one integrated identity. The Revelyst Golf Technology platform unites trusted leaders Foresight Sports, Bushnell Golf and PinSeeker, combining leadership across the most advanced launch monitors, rangefinders, GPS devices, simulation software and on-course tools in the game.

Revelyst Golf Technology marks a new era of integration with greater emphasis on connected data, software development and product collaboration across the portfolio. Revelyst Golf Technology supports golfers at every level, from the course to the studio to the screen, creating a seamless experience across formats, devices and skill levels.



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Samsung is looking into more AI devices – potentially including earrings and necklaces – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

New York (CNN) — Samsung is looking into new wearable devices, potentially including earrings and necklaces, amid an industry-wide push to develop new types of AI-powered consumer electronics. AI could enable a new wave of devices that allow users to communicate and get things done more quickly without having to take out a phone, Won-joon […]

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New York (CNN) — Samsung is looking into new wearable devices, potentially including earrings and necklaces, amid an industry-wide push to develop new types of AI-powered consumer electronics.

AI could enable a new wave of devices that allow users to communicate and get things done more quickly without having to take out a phone, Won-joon Choi, chief operating officer for Samsung’s mobile experience division, told CNN this week.

For Samsung, these types of new devices could be something you wear around your neck, dangle from your ears or slip on your finger.

“We believe it should be wearable, something that you shouldn’t carry, (that) you don’t need to carry,” he said. “So it could be something that you wear, glasses, earrings, watches, rings and sometimes (a) necklace.”

Choi’s comments underscore the opportunity tech giants see to develop new hardware products around AI, a technology that some say is expected to be as impactful as the internet itself.

AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini have moved beyond basic text prompts and are getting better at handling complex tasks. That’s led tech giants to look into devices that require less manual input than smartphones, which largely require typing and swiping on screens.

That search is already in full swing, starting with smart glasses. Meta has touted its AI-powered Ray-Ban smart glasses, of which 2 million have been sold since 2023, as a success. The Facebook parent also recently acquired a minority stake in Ray-Ban parent company EssilorLuxottica, according to Bloomberg, further indicating the company’s interest in AI-powered wearable gadgets.

Samsung, Google and Snap are also developing smart glasses, while OpenAI and ex-Apple designer Jony Ive are collaborating on a mysterious new AI device for next year.

When CNN asked Choi whether Samsung is actively looking into developing earrings or other smart jewelry, like a pendant or bracelet, Choi said the company is “looking at all kinds of possibilities.”

“What do you wear? Glasses, earrings… necklaces, watches and rings, something like those,” he said.

However, that doesn’t mean those possibilities will become products. Samsung and other tech companies routinely develop prototypes and evaluate new technologies internally without bringing them to market.

Some tech startups have already unsuccessfully tried to develop new AI gadgets to replace smartphones at certain tasks.

The Humane AI Pin, created by a pair of Apple veterans, flopped because of its high price and buggy performance. The company shut down the product and sold parts of itself to computing giant HP in February. Another device called the Rabbit R1 also launched to a lackluster reception last year, although it’s undergone significant updates since then. And a startup called Friend created an AI necklace that’s meant to be a digital companion, although its launch has been delayed until the third quarter of this year.

Samsung’s approach, unlike some of these options, will involve a device that’s a companion to your phone rather than a standalone product, similar to the company’s smartwatches, according to Choi.

And the company’s upcoming smart glasses, which it hasn’t revealed many details about yet, could be just the start.

“We are actively working on glasses, but some people do not want to wear glasses because they change their look,” he said. “So we are also exploring other types of devices.”

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

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The 100+ best Prime Day deals under $100 on day four

From streaming sticks and Bluetooth speakers to smart home gadgets and chargers, we’ve rounded up the very best Prime Day tech deals under $100. Many match or beat previous all-time lows, and you don’t always need a Prime membership to take advantage of them. So if you’re looking to stretch your dollar without sacrificing quality, […]

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From streaming sticks and Bluetooth speakers to smart home gadgets and chargers, we’ve rounded up the very best Prime Day tech deals under $100. Many match or beat previous all-time lows, and you don’t always need a Prime membership to take advantage of them. So if you’re looking to stretch your dollar without sacrificing quality, let’s dive in.

Headphone and earbud deals

Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals

E-readers and tablet deals

Streaming, movie, and TV shows deals

Other miscellaneous deals



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District begins construction of esports arena at new Innovation Campus | School News

Olathe Public Schools is beginning the construction process for a new esports arena within the upcoming Innovation Campus on Rogers Road. The campus is expected to open slowly over the course of the school year, and part of the construction plan that was added later is the arena. Esports became an officially sanctioned KSHSAA activity […]

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Olathe Public Schools is beginning the construction process for a new esports arena within the upcoming Innovation Campus on Rogers Road.

The campus is expected to open slowly over the course of the school year, and part of the construction plan that was added later is the arena. Esports became an officially sanctioned KSHSAA activity in May — the decision to sanction the sport will increase competition opportunities and give more freedom to when and where teams can compete. 



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TNT Sports soon to be free from HBO Max’s shackles

A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Sport newsletter with Alex Sherman, which brings you the biggest news and exclusive interviews from the worlds of sports business and media. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. When Warner Bros. Discovery Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav said last month that […]

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MMA.INC and UFC GYM Expand Strategic Partnership to Launch 45 New BJJ Studios by 2025 with BJJLink Technology

Highlights Landmark multi-year agreement strengthens UFC GYM and MMA.INC alliance, supporting the global rollout of 45 new gyms in 2025 and accelerating the expansion of UFC GYM’s high-growth BJJ program—powered by MMA.INC’s category-leading software. BJJLink.com is the definitive all-in-one operating system for martial arts-first businesses—optimizing member management, driving revenue growth, and unlocking scalable monetization for […]

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Highlights

  • Landmark multi-year agreement strengthens UFC GYM and MMA.INC alliance, supporting the global rollout of 45 new gyms in 2025 and accelerating the expansion of UFC GYM’s high-growth BJJ program—powered by MMA.INC’s category-leading software.
  • BJJLink.com is the definitive all-in-one operating system for martial arts-first businesses—optimizing member management, driving revenue growth, and unlocking scalable monetization for franchisees.
  • Builds on MMA.INC and UFC GYM’s broader strategic partnership to integrate the Warrior Training Program across a network of 150+ locations worldwide.


New York, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited

(NYSE American: MMA) (“MMA” or the “Company”), an NYSE American listed innovator at the intersection of combat sports and digital transformation, has announced an expansion of its strategic technology partnership with

UFC Gym Group

who are selecting

BJJLink.com

as the official gym management software platform for all new UFC GYM BJJ franchise studios.

This extension of the existing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) agreement follows

UFC GYM’s landmark global expansion announcement in February

and solidifies a deeper alignment between UFC GYM’s fast-growing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program and MMA.INC’s category-leading gym software. This announcement capitalizes on the growth in BJJ, reinforced by UFC’s recent launch of their new premier BJJ live event series, UFC BJJ 1.


BJJLink.com

, powered by MMA.INC’s

Martial Arts Technology

, will serve as the digital backbone of UFC GYM’S new BJJ franchise studios. Designed specifically for martial arts-first businesses, the platform equips franchisees with a modern, all-in-one operating system that streamlines member management, drives revenue, and unlocks new monetization opportunities. Key features include:


  • Mobile check-in and self-service kiosk systems

    to reduce front-desk friction and enhance member experience

  • Curriculum and belt progression management

    with digital tracking tools aligned to structured programs

  • Smart class and staff scheduling

    with real-time attendance and performance visibility

  • Payment infrastructure

    , including recurring billing, retail sales and a customizable in-app transaction layer that supports Stripe and a growing list of other global processors

  • Referral tracking and affiliate logic

    to power grassroots growth and incentive campaigns

  • Built-in CRM and e-commerce automation

    , enabling franchisees to engage leads, sell merchandise, and convert visitors, all from one centralized platform

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, UFC GYM franchisees will gain access to BJJLink Admin+, a powerful all-in-one platform designed to simplify operations and drive growth. UFC GYM BJJ Studio Franchisees will benefit from streamlined class scheduling, automated billing, digital curriculum tools, and built-in referral tracking, removing administrative overhead and enabling staff to focus on member experience. Standardized pricing across locations and centralized reporting through a master admin dashboard provide both flexibility and oversight, helping franchisees scale confidently while staying aligned with brand standards.

“The BJJLink platform offers an intuitive and powerful back-end that empowers our coaches and BJJ studio franchisees to focus on what matters most, training and community,” said

Adam Sedlack

, CEO of UFC GYM. “This agreement gives us the technical scalability and operational consistency needed to support our ambitious rollout of new BJJ studios globally.”

The new UFC GYM BJJ studios, purpose-built spaces dedicated to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, are part of UFC GYM’s mission to redefine fitness and martial arts for modern athletes. The brand plans to open more than

45 new gyms in 2025

, with many of the BJJ-first models ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet and featuring advanced mat spaces, recovery zones, and family-friendly programming.

“This extension validates our shared belief that the future of martial arts training is both physical and digital,” said

Nick Langton

, CEO of MMA.INC. “We’re proud to be the technology engine behind UFC GYM’s BJJ studio model and to deepen our long-standing relationship with the preeminent name in martial arts training.”

BJJLink is already used by hundreds of martial arts academies around the world and has seen increased demand from franchise operators seeking more streamlined onboarding, revenue analytics, and student engagement tools.

MMA.INC and UFC GYM intend to co-launch the new BJJLink-powered UFC GYM BJJ studio software at select international locations during H2 of 2025.

MMA.INC’s recently announced an international push, expanding BJJLink into Latin America and launching a marquee partnership with Gracie Allegiant HQ and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Clark Gracie.


About Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited

MMA.INC (Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited) is revolutionizing the combat sports industry by driving participation and engagement across fans, athletes, coaches, and gym owners. The company operates four core business units:

TrainAlta: A platform that transforms MMA fans into active participants through structured training programs.
Hype: A marketing platform helping gym owners, coaches, and athletes grow revenue from their audiences.
MixedMartialArts.com: The go-to resource for MMA news, fighter data, fight schedules, and the legendary Underground forum.
BJJLink: A leading gym management platform designed for BJJ academies, offering tools for payment processing, marketing, student engagement, and content monetization.


With over 5 million social media followers, 530,000 user profiles, 50,000 active students, 18,000 published gyms and 800 verified gyms across 16 countries, MMA.inc continues to transform the martial arts landscape and deliver unparalleled value to its stakeholders.

For more information, visit

www.mma.inc

or follow us on social media:




ABOUT UFC GYM





®


UFC GYM

®

is the first major brand extension of UFC

®

, the world’s premier MMA organization, created in alliance with New Evolution Ventures™ (NeV), developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands. As the first to unite the benefits of MMA with fitness, the brand is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine. UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT

®

approach provides members with the ultimate fitness experience and programming that secures results for all ages and training levels. With over 150 locations opened and 700 additional locations currently in development globally, UFC GYM has revolutionized the fitness industry and positively impacted countless lives worldwide. UFC GYM offers the opportunity to own and operate a franchise domestically and internationally. For more information, please visit

www.ufcgym.com

.

Follow UFC GYM through the below platforms:


  • FACEBOOK

    – Facebook.com/UFCGYM

  • YOUTUBE

    – Youtube.com/UFCGYM

  • INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK & X

    – @UFCGYM


Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein include or may include, but are not limited to, statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or use or contain words, terms, phrases, or expressions such as “achieve,” “forecast,” “plan,” “propose,” “strategy,” “envision,” “hope,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “intend,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “might,” or similar words, terms, phrases, or expressions or the negative of any of these terms. Any statements contained in this press release that are not based upon historical fact are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and/or beliefs of the Company. Such statements are not facts and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Prospective investors should not rely on these statements as if they were facts. Actual revenue may vary to current sales due to factors such as participant churn, cancellations, and changes in payment schedules, membership terms or pricing changes. Any references to verified gyms, partner gyms, user profiles refer to a profile that has been claimed or created across the MMA.inc platform, which includes TrainAlta.com, BJJ Link, Hype, MixedMartialArts.com and Steppen. Forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should recognize that the statements are predictions of future results which may not occur as anticipated. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such factors on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. You should carefully read the factors described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 filed with the SEC to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and industry, and any underlying forward-looking statements. Except where required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update, withdraw or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.


Media Contacts

Mixed Martial Arts Group Limited

E:

[email protected]



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