Wellbeing Analysis produces heartbeat-based, precise information about the functions of the body in an understandable form. "We are now doing pioneer work in stress measurement in particular," says Joni Kettunen, the CEO of Firstbeat Technologies Ltd.

A wristtop computer measures and analyses a person's work loading and recovery. The heartbeat reveals how stressed they are, whether they are in a good condition for work or the work is too heavy, whether the system recovers from the remnants of the working week during the weekend and whether physical exercise is sufficiently effective and productive.

"Considerable personal information about my lifestyle, its risks or positive sides provides motivation. Wellbeing Analysis can be used for measuring the effectiveness of conditioning, weight control and monitoring stress levels," says Kettunen.

Stress management

Firstbeat, which was established in 2002, launched the Wellbeing Analysis product in May 2004. Finnish experts have taken quickly to using the product. "Wellbeing Analysis is considered to be the first really practicable method for measuring and monitoring employee's stress," Kettunen states.

One of the advantages of the method is the relative simplicity. A mere heartbeat measurement is enough for obtaining a wide range of information about the functions of the body. The analysis system takes care of the rest.

Analysed by Firstbeat

Firstbeat sells technology for products that are being developed by equipment producers and aimed at consumers. At this moment the Suunto wristop computer, which measures and analyses the heart rate, is on sale.

"The feedback we've received from users has been extremely positive, which has encouraged us to create a scenario for spreading the technology. Our vision is that products that bear the marking "Analysed by Heartbeat" and specialist services will be available on a wide scale in various forms in the next few years."

Product for a growing problem

The market for Wellbeing Analysis is varied and growing. Lifestyles in Finland are associated with about 80 per cent of the health care costs. This phenomenon is on the increase and going in the same direction in all western countries. Prevention is the most effective way of curbing costs in both the private and public sectors.

"The United States is our biggest market in the wellbeing sector. Growing health care costs there are biting increasingly into companies' financial performance and competitiveness, because they are paying for most of their employees' health care," Kettunen states.

>> www.firstbeattechnologies.com

Wellbeing Analysis shows when an employee sees red, for example, during negotiations with an awkward customer," Joni Kettunen says.