Vestingloop Den Bosch: A Day of Running for Data
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On May 26, 2024, the city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch came alive with the excitement of the Vestingloop. Some 10.000 runners and walkers braved the rainy weather, with enthusiastic crowds cheering on the participants. This year, the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) took part not just as runners and walkers, but also as researchers, gathering valuable data to study the impact of exercise on health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
A Successful Day for JADS
The mood was upbeat as teams from JADS put on their running gear and set off on various running and walking distances, ranging from 5km to 25km. In total, 23 JADS students and employees participated in the run, including Academic Director Jos van Hillegersberg and Managing Director Charles Erkelens. The participants were equipped with advanced measuring instruments designed to collect data for the TREAT project. This data will be crucial in understanding the long-term benefits of physical activity on chronic health conditions.
TREAT project
The TREAT project is designed to help people manage chronic health conditions more effectively at home. It will use advanced technology like wearable devices, AI, and interactive tools to provide personalized health advice and support. By improving how patients take care of themselves through rigorous research and real-world testing, TREAT aims to reduce the impact of these diseases on people’s lives and the economy.
Prof.dr.ir. Aarnout Brombacher, the research leader from JADS and Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), oversaw the initiative. Reflecting on the day, he said, “The Vestingloop provided an excellent opportunity to merge our research objectives with a community event. The data collected will significantly enhance our understanding of how exercise influences various health parameters.”
Insights from the Field
One of the Engineering Doctorate students involved in the research, Jose Trigueres Soto, shared his experience: “Participating in the Vestingloop measuring runners was enjoyable and rewarding. People were aiming to contribute to our study, also the data we gathered today will pave the way for better healthcare practices.”
In addition to the runners and walkers, the JADS team of students conducted interviews with participants and spectators to gather insights into their motivations for taking part in the event and in excercise in general. This qualitative data will complement the quantitative measurements, providing a 360 degree view of the impact of physical activity.
Looking Forward
The Vestingloop in ‘s-Hertogenbosch is more than just a race; it’s a great way for the local community and JADS to work together. This event helps us collect real-world data to advance research in data science and healthcare. At JADS, we do cool stuff that matters, with data.
Prof. Brombacher said, “Participating in the Vestingloop shows how community engagement can boost scientific research. We can’t wait to analyze the data and share our findings.” Stay tuned for updates on how this study will impact future health and wellness initiatives.
