Samsung Electronics Australia today announced it is partnering with Nedd Brockmann as he embarks on ‘Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge’. As a Major Partner of Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge, Nedd is sporting Samsung’s newly launched premium smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra with Galaxy AI. Like Nedd, who is known for his endurance and durability, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is an ultra-performer and will also act as the official Timekeeper of the challenge. Samsung Health is the official health tracking software.

In the first phase of Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge, Nedd will attempt to break the world record for the fastest 1,000-mile run by covering 160 kilometres per day for 10 days (October 3 – 13) at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre and help to raise $10M for people experiencing homelessness.

For the first five days of his run, Nedd will be alone in the stadium with no fans to cheer him on. To keep him motivated, Samsung is inviting Australians to record a Nedd-style ‘Ultra Shout-Out’ to show their support for him. By monitoring the data collected from Nedd’s Galaxy Watch Ultra, these messages will be broadcast on the big screen in the stadium during his run to give him a boost at key milestones and when he needs it the most.

“I’ve been using Samsung devices for a while to track my workouts and support my recovery so I’m incredibly grateful to be able to partner with Samsung throughout this challenge,” said Nedd Brockmann.

“As I train to beat the world record, my Galaxy Watch Ultra and Samsung Health have been great in giving me access to some really valuable data which is easy to access.  Heading into the first week, I know being able to hear the support of Australians blasted throughout the stadium is going to make me feel like they are trackside and right behind me, cheering me on every step of the way.”

To record an Ultra Shout Out, Australians can visit Ultrashoutouts.com.au from 20 September to send a message of support. For fans who can make it to Sydney Olympic Park, the Samsung Shout-Out Squad will be recording messages at the stadium and cheering Nedd on from the sideline.

“Galaxy Watch Ultra with Galaxy AI has been designed for next level performance, something Nedd’s fearlessness and athleticism truly embodies. Combined with the Samsung Health app, the Galaxy Watch Ultra provides advanced health, wellness, and fitness monitoring, the perfect partner for someone like Nedd, or anyone looking for personalised insights and tailored wellness experiences”, said Celine Wheeler, Head of Brand & Integrated Marketing – Mobile Experience at Samsung Electronics Australia.

“Nedd captured Australia’s attention back in 2022 when he ran across Australia, and as he prepares for his next challenge, we look forward to helping Australians rally behind him with Ultra Shout-Outs,” concludes Wheeler.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra combines powerful on-device AI to enable more accurate tracking and collection of health data. This biodata is consolidated on the Samsung Health app to provide personalised guidance and insights, including Energy Score, Sleep Coaching and Wellness Tips.

The Ultra Shout Out campaign will be supported with a short film, directed by Ollie Ritchie, that portrays Nedd preparing for his challenge. Showing his readiness for the run ahead, he clicks his Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Watch Ultra to get started and lets out a guttural scream. His scream is joined and amplified by Australians including Mary Fowler and Christian Petracca sending messages of support, as he sets off on his challenge, alone in the stadium.

Nedd is also encouraging people to get involved and join Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge by setting their own challenge that takes them out of their comfort zone for 10 days straight starting 20-29 October.

The campaign will be live across YouTube, Meta, Tiktok, and in Samsung Retail Locations.

From 20 September, Aussies can access the landing page at Ultrashoutouts.com.au and learn more about Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge at www.neddsuncomfortablechallenge.com/home.

For more information on Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra visit samsung.com/au/. For more information on Samsung Health, visit this link.

OH is common among PD patients and can increase the risk of falls for those in the elderly age group and may already have existing cardiovascular diseases. Measuring blood pressure (BP) frequently can help detect critical fluctuations for diagnosing and managing PD.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch Active2 and the latest Galaxy Watch4 feature sophisticated sensors that can monitor BP through pulse wave analysis, which is tracked with Heart Rate Monitoring sensors. Users can closely monitor their blood pressure and other vitals in the Samsung Health Monitor app and share them with medical professionals in a PDF file format during consultations.[1]

A research team at the Samsung Medical Center, led by Dr. Jin Whan Cho and Dr. Jong Hyeon Ahn, compared BP measurements collected by the Galaxy Watch3 with those measured by a sphygmomanometer to compare accuracy. The test found that using Galaxy Watch3—which is more portable and convenient than a conventional sphygmomanometer—allows PD patients to measure their BP wherever and whenever they need to, and easily track any BP fluctuation.

The test was conducted on 56 patients—with a mean age of 66.9—with a sphygmomanometer reference on one arm and the Galaxy Watch3 on the other. Each patient had their BP measured with both devices three times.

The findings show that BP measured by both the Galaxy Watch and the sphygmomanometer were comparable. The mean and standard deviation of the differences were 0.4 ± 4.6 mmHg for systolic BP (SBP) and 1.1 ± 4.5 mmHg for diastolic BP (DBP). The correlation coefficient (r) between the two devices was 0.967 for SBP and 0.916 for DBP. The closer the correlation coefficient is to 1, the more  the two devices track each other.

The research team said, “Orthostatic hypotension is a common and challenging symptom that affects people living with PD. But it is hard to screen just by observing symptoms, and the problem may go undetected when measuring BP.” The team added: “If we could use a smartwatch to measure patients’ BP regularly and detect potential issues at an early stage, it would really help treat and manage PD.”

The study, led by Dr. Cho and Dr. Ahn’s research team, titled “Validation of Blood Pressure Measurement Using a Smartwatch in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease,” was published in the latest issue of the leading medical journal Frontiers in Neurology.

Blood pressure monitoring is currently offered through the Samsung Health Monitor app[2] available in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the UAE, and the UK.

To find out more about the Samsung Health Monitor app and other features of Galaxy Watch4 series, visit:

Galaxy Watch4: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch4

Galaxy Watch4 Classic: www.samsung.com/galaxy-watch4-classic

[1] To ensure accuracy, users should calibrate their device every four weeks with a traditional blood pressure cuff. The Samsung Health Monitor app cannot diagnose hypertension, other conditions, or check for signs of a heart attack. This app should only be used for measuring for ages 22 and above. It is not meant to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.

[2] Requires Samsung Galaxy Smartphone with Android 7 or later, and Samsung Health Monitor app which is available only at the Samsung Galaxy app store. Due to local restrictions in acquiring approval/registration as a medical device, Samsung Health Monitor app only works on watches and smartphones purchased in the markets where service is currently available.