scholarly journals Investing in college students: the role of the fitness tracker

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205520761876680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodee A. Schaben ◽  
Stacy Furness
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
College Students ◽  
General Education ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Future Research ◽  
College Age ◽  
Fitness Tracker ◽  
Fitness Trackers ◽  
The Impact

Fitness trackers are becoming a popular way to encourage physical activity and impact health behaviors. Although many college students may own and use fitness trackers, they remain a high-risk group in terms of rates of obesity and lack of physical activity. In this study, college students were provided with fitness trackers to self-monitor step count. Pre- and post-measures of body composition, resting heart rate and blood pressure, knowledge of physical activity behaviors and perception of wellness were used to determine the impact of the fitness trackers. The research was completed in two phases: phase one with completely voluntary participation and phase two as a part of a required general education wellness course. Results did not indicate a significant change in step count over 12 weeks nor did they show positive change in body measurements; however, there were indicators of activity benefits. Knowledge and perception of wellness were not positively impacted in the voluntary study; however, when the education component was required, some increases in knowledge and perception of wellness were shown in the general education course. Many lessons were learned in the study that should be considered when planning future research with fitness trackers in the college-age setting.

scholarly journals Job characteristics, well-being and physical activity: A field study using a consumer fitness tracker

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 264-275
Author(s):  
Nina Raffaela Grossi ◽  
Fabiola Gattringer ◽  
Bernad Batinic
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Characteristics ◽  
Job Control ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fitness Tracker ◽  
The Impact

The relation between job characteristics and health is one of the most important fields of research within work and organizational psychology. Another prominent variable influencing health is physical activity. The physical activity mediated Demand-Control (pamDC) model (Häusser & Mojzisch, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2017.1303759) combines these health indicators in a new theoretical framework. Based on the pamDC model the current study aims to clarify the role of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in the interplay of job demands, job control and well-being. We expect physical activity to partially mediate the impact of job characteristics on health. To avoid self-report bias considering physical activity we used a consumer fitness tracker to collect additional data. In total, 104 white-collar workers participated in the study. The results show that job control and job demands could predict well-being in cross-sectional analyses. In longitudinal analyses, this was only the case for job demands. Regarding the proposed mediating effect of LTPA between job characteristics and health, we could not detect a significant mediation in our sample. This was true for both self-reported and objective data on physical activity. This study provides a first step in validating the pamDC model and has implications for future research.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Using a Commercial Fitness Tracker as an Adjunct to Family-Based Weight Management Treatment: Pilot Randomized Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thao-Ly Tam Phan ◽  
Nadia Barnini ◽  
Sherlly Xie ◽  
Angelica Martinez ◽  
Lauren Falini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Utilization Patterns ◽  
Fitness Tracker ◽  
Fitness Trackers ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Fitness trackers can engage users through automated self-monitoring of physical activity. Studies evaluating the utility of fitness trackers are limited among adolescents, who are often difficult to engage in weight management treatment and are heavy technology users. OBJECTIVE We conducted a pilot randomized trial to describe the impact of providing adolescents and caregivers with fitness trackers as an adjunct to treatment in a tertiary care weight management clinic on adolescent fitness tracker satisfaction, fitness tracker utilization patterns, and physical activity levels. METHODS Adolescents were randomized to 1 of 2 groups (adolescent or dyad) at their initial weight management clinic visit. Adolescents received a fitness tracker and counseling around activity data in addition to standard treatment. A caregiver of adolescents in the dyad group also received a fitness tracker. Satisfaction with the fitness tracker, fitness tracker utilization patterns, and physical activity patterns were evaluated over 3 months. RESULTS A total of 88 adolescents were enrolled, with 69% (61/88) being female, 36% (32/88) black, 23% (20/88) Hispanic, and 63% (55/88) with severe obesity. Most adolescents reported that the fitness tracker was helping them meet their healthy lifestyle goals (69%) and be more motivated to achieve a healthy weight (66%). Despite this, 68% discontinued use of the fitness tracker by the end of the study. There were no significant differences between the adolescent and the dyad group in outcomes, but adolescents in the dyad group were 12.2 times more likely to discontinue using their fitness tracker if their caregiver also discontinued use of their fitness tracker (95% CI 2.4-61.6). Compared with adolescents who discontinued use of the fitness tracker during the study, adolescents who continued to use the fitness tracker recorded a higher number of daily steps in months 2 and 3 of the study (mean 5760 vs 4148 in month 2, P=.005, and mean 5942 vs 3487 in month 3, P=.002). CONCLUSIONS Despite high levels of satisfaction with the fitness trackers, fitness tracker discontinuation rates were high, especially among adolescents whose caregivers also discontinued use of their fitness tracker. More studies are needed to determine how to sustain the use of fitness trackers among adolescents with obesity and engage caregivers in adolescent weight management interventions.

scholarly journals Training may enhance early childhood educators’ self-efficacy to lead physical activity in childcare

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianne A. Bruijns ◽  
Andrew M. Johnson ◽  
Jennifer D. Irwin ◽  
Shauna M. Burke ◽  
Molly Driediger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Outdoor Play ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intervention Component ◽  
Space Extension ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Early childhood educators (ECEs) play a critical role in promoting physical activity (PA) among preschoolers in childcare; thus, PA-related training for ECEs is essential. The Supporting PA in the Childcare Environment (SPACE) intervention incorporated: 1. shorter, more frequent outdoor play sessions; 2. provision of portable play equipment; and, PA training for ECEs. An extension of the SPACE intervention (the SPACE-Extension) incorporated only the shorter, more frequent outdoor play periods component of the original SPACE intervention. The purpose of this study was to explore the individual impact of these interventions on ECEs’ PA-related self-efficacy and knowledge. Methods ECEs from the SPACE (n = 83) and SPACE-Extension (n = 31) were administered surveys at all intervention time-points to assess: self-efficacy to engage preschoolers in PA (n = 6 items; scale 0 to 100); self-efficacy to implement the intervention (n = 6 items); and, knowledge of preschooler-specific PA and screen-viewing guidelines (n = 2 items). A linear mixed effects model was used to analyze the impact of each intervention on ECEs’ self-efficacy and knowledge and controlled for multiple comparison bias. Results The SPACE intervention significantly impacted ECEs’ self-efficacy to engage preschoolers in PA for 180 min/day (main effect), and when outdoor playtime was not an option (interaction effect). Further, the interaction model for ECEs’ knowledge of the total PA guideline for preschoolers approached significance when compared to the main effects model. Participants within the SPACE-Extension did not demonstrate any significant changes in self-efficacy or knowledge variables. Conclusions Findings from this study highlight the benefit of ECE training in PA with regard to fostering their PA-related self-efficacy and knowledge. Future research should explore the impact of PA training for ECEs uniquely in order to determine if this intervention component, alone, can produce meaningful changes in children’s PA behaviours at childcare.

scholarly journals Gamified Wearable Fitness Tracker for Physical Activity: A Comprehensive Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7017
Author(s):  
Inje Cho ◽  
Kyriaki Kaplanidou ◽  
Shintaro Sato
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Moderate Amount ◽  
Point Of Interest ◽  
Comprehensive Literature Review ◽  
Fitness Tracker ◽  
Fitness Trackers ◽  
Sustainable Health

Recently, gamified wearable fitness trackers have received greater attention and usage among sport consumers. Although a moderate amount of aerobic physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of many serious illnesses, physical inactivity issues are still prominent. Although wearable fitness trackers have the potential to contribute to physical activity engagement and sustainable health outcomes, there are dwindling engagement and discontinuance issues. Thus, examining its gamification elements and role in physical activity becomes critical. This study examined the gamification elements in wearable fitness trackers and their role in physical activity and sports engagement. A comprehensive literature review yielded 26 articles that empirically measured a variety of gamification features and the effect of the device on physical activity and sports engagement. The study suggests three key gamification themes: goal-based, social-based, and rewards-based gamification that can be a point of interest for future scholars and practitioners. Based on the review, we propose a conceptual framework that embraces motivational affordances and engagement in physical activity and sports.

Multicomponent Reading Interventions for Students With Intellectual Disability

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kemal Afacan ◽  
Kimber L. Wilkerson ◽  
Andrea L. Ruppar
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
General Education ◽  
Reading Instruction ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Reading Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sight Word ◽  
The Impact

Reading instruction for students with intellectual disability (ID) has traditionally focused on single skill instruction such as sight word reading. Given that multicomponent reading interventions have been linked to improved reading skills across multiple reading components for students in general education, it is logical to examine the impact of multicomponent reading interventions for students with ID. The purpose of this literature review was to examine characteristics, outcomes, and quality of multicomponent reading interventions for students with ID. In this review, seven empirical articles fit the inclusionary criteria. Findings indicate that students with ID who were exposed to multicomponent reading programs significantly improved their reading skills compared to their peers with ID who received traditional sight word instruction or to their previous reading performance. This literature review highlights effective strategies used to provide multicomponent reading instruction to students with ID. Implications for reading instruction for students with ID are provided, along with implications for future research.

Influences on diet and physical activity choices of 11–13-year-olds in a school setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 545-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla A McHugh ◽  
Lindsey Anderson ◽  
Jenny Lloyd ◽  
Stuart Logan ◽  
Katrina Wyatt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Diet And Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Choices ◽  
The Impact

Objective: This paper uses a qualitative approach to explore the factors that influence diet and physical activity choices of 11–13-year-olds with a particular focus on the impact of the school environment. Design: Qualitative focus groups. Setting: Three purposively sampled secondary schools in Devon, UK. Method: A total of 53 students, aged 11–13, took part in six focus groups. Thematic, framework analysis was used to analyse the data. Result: Four overarching themes emerged: (1) health now and in the future; (2) the role of others; (3) provision, temptation and addiction; and (4) boundaries, strategies and support. Participants demonstrated good knowledge of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and its importance for future health, although it was not necessarily seen as a priority at this stage of life. Key influences on their choices were their peers and family, although participants also identified that the school environment influences the food choices they make while there. Conclusion: In this study, 11–13-year-olds identified that schools could do more to support them to make healthier food choices. However, future research needs to understand the constraints schools face in terms of food provision in order to highlight possible opportunities for intervention.

Intervention Mediators in a Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Physical Activity and Fatigue Self-management Behaviors Among Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Plow ◽  
Robert W Motl ◽  
Marcia Finlayson ◽  
Francois Bethoux
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Outcome Expectations ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background People with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience fatigue, which is aggravated by inactivity. Identifying mediators of changes in physical activity (PA) and fatigue self-management (FSM) behaviors could optimize future interventions that reduce the impact of MS fatigue. Purpose To examine the effects of telephone-delivered interventions on Social Cognitive Theory constructs and test whether these constructs mediated secondary outcomes of PA and FSM behaviors. Methods Participants with MS (n = 208; Mean age = 52.1; Female = 84.6%) were randomized into contact–control intervention (CC), PA-only intervention, and PA+FSM intervention. Step count (Actigraphy) and FSM behaviors as well as self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and goal setting for PA and FSM were measured at baseline, post-test (12 weeks), and follow-up (24 weeks). Path analyses using bias-corrected bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals (CI) determined whether constructs at post-test mediated behaviors at follow-up when adjusting for baseline measures. Results Path analysis indicated that PA-only (β = 0.50, p < .001) and PA+FSM interventions (β = 0.42, p < .010) had an effect on goal setting for PA, and that PA + FSM intervention had an effect on self-efficacy for FSM (β = 0.48, p = .011) and outcome expectations for FSM (β = 0.42, p = .029). Goal setting for PA at post-test mediated the effects of PA-only (β = 159.45, CI = 5.399, 371.996) and PA + FSM interventions (β = 133.17, CI = 3.104, 355.349) on step count at follow-up. Outcome expectations for FSM at post-test mediated the effects of PA + FSM intervention on FSM behaviors at follow-up (β = 0.02, CI = 0.001, 0.058). Conclusions Goal setting for PA and outcome expectations for FSM may be important constructs to target in telephone-delivered interventions designed to reduce the impact of MS fatigue. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01572714)

Core Self-Evaluations as a Mediator Between Functional Disability and Life Satisfaction in College Students With Disabilities Majoring in Science and Technology

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Miller Smedema ◽  
Joseph S. Pfaller ◽  
Rana A. Yaghmaian ◽  
Hayley Weaver ◽  
Elizabeth da Silva Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Future Research ◽  
College Students With Disabilities ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive ◽  
Core Self ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: To examine the mediational effect of core self-evaluations (CSE) on the relationship between functional disability and life satisfaction.Methods: A quantitative descriptive design using multiple regression analysis. The participants were 97 college students with disabilities receiving services through Hunter College’s Minority-Disability Alliance (MIND Alliance) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.Results: CSE was a partial mediator between functional disability and life satisfaction. After controlling for CSE, functional disability was no longer a significant predictor of life satisfaction.Conclusions: CSE partially mediated the impact of functional disability on life satisfaction. Future research should explore the development of interventions to increase CSE to reduce the effect of disability and to improve life satisfaction and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

scholarly journals Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: a 24-week matched case control study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Pearson ◽  
Harry Prapavessis ◽  
Christopher Higgins ◽  
Robert Petrella ◽  
Lauren White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements. Methods A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1–12; intervention: weeks 13–24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week). Results The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age = 32 yrs.; % female = 64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p < 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2 = 0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day. Conclusion Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.

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