The Asian spa and wellness sector faces four critical challenges, according to a new report.

The global connected gym equipment market is set to grow at an annual rate of 45 per cent between 2017 and 2021.

A team of engineers in Saudi Arabia has proposed how stadium seats in the near future could be made more sustainably using the fibres of palm trees.

US-based software specialist Zenrez has credited the increasing popularity of boutique fitness and yoga studios among the millennial generation for its rapid growth.

The latest report charting the wearables market has suggested that the sector is in “good health” – and that there are signs that the focus and demand of consumers is increasingly shifting towards wellness tech.

Italy-based equipment supplier Technogym has joined forces with computer giant IBM as part of plans to develop an artificial intelligence-driven, “cognitive coaching platform” for the health, fitness and wellness markets.

Chinese architecture and design studio Coordination Asia have completed a series of sci-fi tinged pop-up running hubs for sports giant Nike at Shanghai’s Times Square.

The International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) has planned an “unprecedented sharing of expertise, insight and discussion” on the design, development and operation of leisure centres and swimming pools this week.

Lord’s Cricket Ground has become the first purpose-built cricket stadium in Britain to run on 100 per cent renewable energy.

UK’s flagship carrier British Airways (BA) is developing an ingestible “wellness pill”, which would allow the airline to monitor passengers’ health information during flights.

Physical activity trackers are more likely to motivate people to get physically active if coupled with wellness coaching – according to a new study published in the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health and Fitness Journal.

The first 12 physical activity disruptors to benefit from the ActiveLab startup mentoring scheme have been named.

UK-based DNA profiling company DNAFit will start offering its services to members of the Gold’s Gym health club chain in Egypt.

Fitness technology firm Wexer has bought Dutch-based company ClubVirtual for an undisclosed fee.

A study by Aalborg University in Denmark has shown that using virtual reality can help the elderly become more physically active – by making exercise safe and more fun.

Sport England has entered into a technology partnership that will help people get physically active with the use of apps.

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) will launch an advisory council on technology and innovation in 2017, as part of its plans to assist its members better embrace developing technologies.

Professionals involved in the development of sporting arenas should investigate the merits of technology such as augmented reality and virtual reality in terms of how they could enhance the spectator experience.

Londoners are being encouraged to participate in physical activity with the launch of an app which distributes rewards for taking part.

Sport organisations in London can search through millions of pounds of grant opportunities via a funding identification tool developed by London Sport.

Dutch construction firm Bright Buildings is creating a transparent swimming facility with a retractable roof and walls that will “create an attractive transition from indoor to outdoor activities.”

Hospitality and spa management systems provider Springer-Miller has named Nicole Stanaway as SpaSoft business development manager.

The Well Living Lab – the first human-centred research centre investigating the links between health and well-being and indoor environments – has announced its founding “alliance members”.

As Nintendo and Niantic continue to drip feed new features to maintain the popularity of Pokémon Go, the game’s creators have announced that its new wearable device will be released next week, while also revealing plans for an Apple Watch adaptation of the game.