Are Older Adults Ready for Wireless Physical Activity Tracking Devices? A Comparison of Commonly Used Tracking Devices

Introduction: Evidence supporting the effects of supervised exercise therapy (SET) on alleviating symptoms and improving walking ability for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is robust and well recognized. However, little is known about the impact of SET on free-living physical activity (PA). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in SET and changes in free-living PA among individuals in the the EX ercise Training to Reduce Claudication: Arm ER gometry versus T readmill Walking ( EXERT ) trial. Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial, 104 participants (mean age 68±9; 29% female) were allocated to receive treadmill (TM) exercise (n=41), upper body ergometry (UBE) exercise (n=42), or usual-care (UC) (n=21) for 12 weeks. Exercise participants attended SET three times per week; UC participants met with study staff weekly. PA was measured over 7 days via waist-worn ActiGraph accelerometers at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. Steps per day was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were proportion of time in light and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary time. PA was controlled for in TM participants by using SET logs. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, two-sample t-tests, and analysis of variance. Results: Regardless of randomization, average daily steps were low at baseline and 6 weeks (4,013 steps, p =.72; and 3,911 steps, p =.84, respectively), and slightly higher at 12 weeks (4,307 steps; p =.93). Although not statistically significant but perhaps clinically relevant, UBE participants exhibited greater increases in MVPA over 12 weeks (0.9% to 1.3%; F =.48, p =.62) compared to TM (1.2% to 1.3%; F =.35, p =.71) and UC (1.3% to 1.5%, F =.03, p =.97); similarly all participants exhibited reductions in sedentary time and increases in free-living PA between baseline and 12 weeks. Conclusions: These data suggest individuals with PAD attending SET replace sedentary time with light or moderate intensity PA regardless of exercise modality. Despite study participants meeting the recommended daily steps for adults with chronic conditions (3,500-5,500 steps), it is suspected that they did not reach the daily goal of 30 minutes of enhanced PA to reduce health risks. Future research should incorporate activity tracking devices that can provide feedback on PA as an approach to meet daily PA goals. Activity tracking devices used in conjunction with SET may further improve walking distance, symptom management, and quality of life among patients with symptomatic PAD.

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Activity-tracking devices for older adults: comparison and preferences

Universal Access in the Information Society ◽

10.1007/s10209-017-0539-7 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 411-419 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Anika Steinert ◽

Marten Haesner ◽

Elisabeth Steinhagen-Thiessen

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Tracking Devices

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Use of Physical Activity Monitoring Devices by Families in Rural Communities: Qualitative Approach (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10658 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Iryna Sharaievska ◽

Rebecca A Battista ◽

Jennifer Zwetsloot

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Family Members ◽

Activity Level ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Entire Family ◽

Physical Activity Monitoring ◽

Tracking Devices ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Several studies support the impact of information communication technology–based interventions to promote physical activity among youth. However, little is known on how technology can be used by the entire family to encourage healthy behavior. Previous studies showed that children and youth rely and are dependent upon the decisions and values of their caregivers when it comes to having a healthy lifestyle. Thus, the exploration of behavior and attitudes of the entire family is needed. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore (1) perceptions of how the use of physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) by families in rural communities influence their patterns of participation in physical activity, (2) how attitudes toward physical activity change as a result of using physical activity tracking devices as a family, and (3) what factors influence participation in physical activity among families in rural communities. METHODS A total of 11 families with 1 to 3 children of different ages (7-13 years) took part in semistructured group interviews following 2 weeks of using physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) as a family. The participants were asked to discuss their experience using the Fitbit Zip as a family, the motivation to be physically active, the changes in their pattern of participation in those activities, the level of engagement by different family members, and the factors that affected their participation. All interviews were voice-recorded with the participants’ permission and later transcribed verbatim using pseudonyms. To analyze the data, the principal investigator (IS) used open, axial, and selective coding techniques. RESULTS A total of 3 themes and several subthemes appeared from the data. The families in rural communities reported no or minimal changes in physical activities as a result of using physical activity tracking devices (Fitbit Zip) because of a lack of interest or an already active lifestyle. However, the attitude toward physical activity was altered. The family members reported an increased awareness of their activity level, introduced more conversations about active and healthy lifestyles, and changed their view of physical activity to a more positive one. The participants described the changes they were able to make and the constraining factors that stopped them from making further changes in their lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS Technology might serve as a facilitator to participation in physical activity among families. Technology can motivate the change in attitude toward active recreation. As long-term changes in lifestyle require internal motivation, the change in the attitude might have a more long-lasting impact than the change in the immediate behavior. More longitudinal studies are needed to further explore long-term change in both behavior and attitude toward physical activity. Additional exploration of constraints to participation in physical activity among families is also an important area of exploration.

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Our Fitbits, our (ageing) selves: wearables, self-tracking and ageing embodiment

Ageing in Everyday Life ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447335917.003.0011 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 196-214

Author(s):

Barbara L. Marshall

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Behavior Modification ◽

Social Worlds ◽

Age Related ◽

Older Users ◽

Tracking Devices

This chapter considers the ways that embodied aging may be produced through wearable self-tracking technologies. With physical activity now promoted as key to the prevention of many age-related problems, and as inactivity becomes framed as irresponsible, the market for devices to both measure and motivate activity has expanded. While research in the biomedical and exercise sciences focuses on how self-tracking devices can enhance interventions aimed at behavior modification with older adults, this chapter draw on interviews with older users to argue that we need to attend more carefully to how the data produced by self-tracking circulates through the networks of technologies, relationships and regimes of expertise that are embedded in everyday social worlds.

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Interest and preferences for using advanced physical activity tracking devices: results of a national cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011243 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. e011243 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Stephanie Alley ◽

Stephanie Schoeppe ◽

Diana Guertler ◽

Cally Jennings ◽

Mitch J Duncan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Tracking Devices

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Relevance of Activity Tracking With Mobile Devices in the Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Satisfaction With Physical Fitness in Older Adults: Representative Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12303 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Schlomann ◽

Alexander Seifert ◽

Christian Rietz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Mobile Devices ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Subjective Experiences ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Relationship

BACKGROUND Physical activity has been shown to positively affect many aspects of life, and the positive relationship between physical activity levels and health is well established. Recently, research on the interrelationship between physical activity levels and subjective experiences has gained attention. However, the underlying mechanisms that link physical activity levels with subjective experiences of physical fitness have not been sufficiently explained. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the role of physical activity tracking (PAT) in the relationship between physical activity levels and satisfaction with physical fitness in older adults. It is hypothesized that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a higher satisfaction with physical fitness in older adults and that this positive association is stronger for older people who use mobile devices for PAT. METHODS As part of this study, 1013 participants aged 50 years or older and living in Switzerland were interviewed via computer-assisted telephone interviews. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were applied. The interaction effects between physical activity levels and PAT were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS Descriptive analyses showed that 719 participants used at least 1 mobile device and that 136 out of 719 mobile device users (18.9%) used mobile devices for PAT. In the multivariate regression analysis, frequent physical activity was found to have a positive effect on satisfaction with physical fitness (beta=.24, P<.001). A significant interaction effect between physical activity levels and PAT (beta=.30, P=.03) provides some first evidence that the positive effects of physical activity on satisfaction with physical fitness can be enhanced by PAT. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate the potential of PAT to enhance the physical fitness of older adults. However, the results also raise new issues in this context. Recommendations for further research and practice include the acquisition of longitudinal data, a more detailed observation of durations of use, and the development of devices for PAT considering health psychology and gerontology theories.

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Attitudes, intentions and preferences for using physical activity tracking devices

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.jsams.2015.12.482 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. e44-e45

Author(s):

S. Alley ◽

C. Jennings ◽

M. Duncan ◽

S. Schoeppe ◽

D. Gurtler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Tracking Devices

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Physical Activity Tracking Wristbands for Use in Research With Older Adults: An Overview and Recommendations

Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour ◽

10.1123/jmpb.2019-0050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 265-273

Author(s):

Alanna Weisberg ◽

Alexandre Monte Campelo ◽

Tanzeel Bhaidani ◽

Larry Katz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Adult Population ◽

Self Report ◽

Activity Tracking ◽

Measurement Tools ◽

Methodological Considerations ◽

Older Adult Population ◽

Tracking Technology ◽

Select Activity

Traditional physical activity tracking tools, such as self-report questionnaires, are inherently subjective and vulnerable to bias. Physical activity tracking technology, such as activity tracking wristbands, is becoming more reliable and readily available. As such, researchers are employing these objective measurement tools in both observational- and intervention-based studies. There remains a gap in the literature on how to properly select activity tracking wristbands for research, specifically for the older adult population. This paper outlines considerations for choosing the most appropriate wrist-worn wearable device for use in research with older adults. Device features, outcome measures, population, and methodological considerations are explored.

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