Smartphone fitness apps can improve physical activity

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-39
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers

Smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers do help boost physical activity levels, finds a review and pooled data analysis of the available evidence

scholarly journals Parental Perspectives of a Wearable Activity Tracker for Children Younger Than 13 Years: Acceptability and Usability Study

10.2196/13858 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e13858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A Mackintosh ◽  
Stephanie E Chappel ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Anna Timperio ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Distance Information ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Parental Perspectives ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Tracker

Background There is increasing availability of, and interest in, wearable activity trackers for children younger than 13 years. However, little is known about how children and parents use these activity trackers or perceive their acceptability. Objective This study primarily aimed to ascertain parental perspectives on the acceptability and usability of wearables designed to monitor children’s physical activity levels. Secondary aims were to (1) identify practical considerations for future use in physical activity interventions and promotion initiatives; (2) determine use of different features and functions incorporated into the accompanying app; and (3) identify parents’ awareness of their child’s current physical activity levels. Methods In total, 36 children (18 boys and 18 girls) aged 7-12 years were asked to wear a wrist-worn activity tracker (KidFit) for 4 consecutive weeks and to use the accompanying app with parental assistance and guidance. Each week, one parent from each family (n=25; 21 mothers and 4 fathers) completed a Web-based survey to record their child’s activity tracker use, app interaction, and overall experiences. At the end of the 4-week period, a subsample of 10 parents (all mothers) participated in face-to-face interviews exploring perceptions of the acceptability and usability of wearable activity trackers and accompanying apps. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed descriptively and thematically, respectively. Thematic data are presented using pen profiles, which were constructed from verbatim transcripts. Results Parents reported that they and their children typically found the associated app easy to use for activity tracking, though only step or distance information was generally accessed and some difficulties interpreting the data were reported. Children were frustrated with not being able to access real-time feedback, as the features and functions were only available through the app, which was typically accessed by, or in the presence of, parents. Parents identified that children wanted additional functions including a visual display to track and self-monitor activity, access to the app for goal setting, and the option of undertaking challenges against schools or significant others. Other barriers to the use of wearable activity trackers included discomfort of wearing the monitor because of the design and the inability to wear for water- or contact-based sports. Conclusions Most parents reported that the wearable activity tracker was easy for their child or children to use and a useful tool for tracking their children’s daily activity. However, several barriers were identified, which may impact sustained use over time; both the functionality and wearability of the activity tracker should therefore be considered. Overall, wearable activity trackers for children have the potential to be integrated into targeted physical activity promotion initiatives.

scholarly journals Parental Perspectives of a Wearable Activity Tracker for Children Younger Than 13 Years: Acceptability and Usability Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A Mackintosh ◽  
Stephanie E Chappel ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Anna Timperio ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Distance Information ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Parental Perspectives ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Tracker

BACKGROUND There is increasing availability of, and interest in, wearable activity trackers for children younger than 13 years. However, little is known about how children and parents use these activity trackers or perceive their acceptability. OBJECTIVE This study primarily aimed to ascertain parental perspectives on the acceptability and usability of wearables designed to monitor children’s physical activity levels. Secondary aims were to (1) identify practical considerations for future use in physical activity interventions and promotion initiatives; (2) determine use of different features and functions incorporated into the accompanying app; and (3) identify parents’ awareness of their child’s current physical activity levels. METHODS In total, 36 children (18 boys and 18 girls) aged 7-12 years were asked to wear a wrist-worn activity tracker (KidFit) for 4 consecutive weeks and to use the accompanying app with parental assistance and guidance. Each week, one parent from each family (n=25; 21 mothers and 4 fathers) completed a Web-based survey to record their child’s activity tracker use, app interaction, and overall experiences. At the end of the 4-week period, a subsample of 10 parents (all mothers) participated in face-to-face interviews exploring perceptions of the acceptability and usability of wearable activity trackers and accompanying apps. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed descriptively and thematically, respectively. Thematic data are presented using pen profiles, which were constructed from verbatim transcripts. RESULTS Parents reported that they and their children typically found the associated app easy to use for activity tracking, though only step or distance information was generally accessed and some difficulties interpreting the data were reported. Children were frustrated with not being able to access real-time feedback, as the features and functions were only available through the app, which was typically accessed by, or in the presence of, parents. Parents identified that children wanted additional functions including a visual display to track and self-monitor activity, access to the app for goal setting, and the option of undertaking challenges against schools or significant others. Other barriers to the use of wearable activity trackers included discomfort of wearing the monitor because of the design and the inability to wear for water- or contact-based sports. CONCLUSIONS Most parents reported that the wearable activity tracker was easy for their child or children to use and a useful tool for tracking their children’s daily activity. However, several barriers were identified, which may impact sustained use over time; both the functionality and wearability of the activity tracker should therefore be considered. Overall, wearable activity trackers for children have the potential to be integrated into targeted physical activity promotion initiatives.

Adolescent physical activity levels: discrepancies with accelerometer data analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (21) ◽  
pp. 2047-2053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greig R.M. Logan ◽  
Scott Duncan ◽  
Nigel K. Harris ◽  
Erica A. Hinckson ◽  
Grant Schofield
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Accelerometer Data ◽  
Adolescent Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

scholarly journals Consumer-Based Wearable Activity Trackers Increase Physical Activity Participation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie-Jane Brickwood ◽  
Greig Watson ◽  
Jane O'Brien ◽  
Andrew D Williams
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Tracker ◽  
Meta Analyses

BACKGROUND The range of benefits associated with regular physical activity participation is irrefutable. Despite the well-known benefits, physical inactivity remains one of the major contributing factors to ill-health throughout industrialized countries. Traditional lifestyle interventions such as group education or telephone counseling are effective at increasing physical activity participation; however, physical activity levels tend to decline over time. Consumer-based wearable activity trackers that allow users to objectively monitor activity levels are now widely available and may offer an alternative method for assisting individuals to remain physically active. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to determine the effects of interventions utilizing consumer-based wearable activity trackers on physical activity participation and sedentary behavior when compared with interventions that do not utilize activity tracker feedback. METHODS A systematic review was performed searching the following databases for studies that included the use of a consumer-based wearable activity tracker to improve physical activity participation: Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SPORTDiscus, and Health Technology Assessments. Controlled trials of adults comparing the use of a consumer-based wearable activity tracker with other nonactivity tracker–based interventions were included. The main outcome measures were physical activity participation and sedentary behavior. All studies were assessed for risk of bias, and the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to rank the quality of evidence. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement were followed. A random-effects meta-analysis was completed on the included outcome measures to estimate the treatment effect of interventions that included an activity tracker compared with a control group. RESULTS There was a significant increase in daily step count (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.24; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.33; P<.001), moderate and vigorous physical activity (SMD 0.27; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.39; P<.001), and energy expenditure (SMD 0.28; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.54; P=.03) and a nonsignificant decrease in sedentary behavior (SMD −0.20; 95% CI −0.43 to 0.03; P=.08) following the intervention versus control comparator across all studies in the meta-analyses. In general, included studies were at low risk of bias, except for performance bias. Heterogeneity varied across the included meta-analyses ranging from low (I2=3%) for daily step count through to high (I2=67%) for sedentary behavior. CONCLUSIONS Utilizing a consumer-based wearable activity tracker as either the primary component of an intervention or as part of a broader physical activity intervention has the potential to increase physical activity participation. As the effects of physical activity interventions are often short term, the inclusion of a consumer-based wearable activity tracker may provide an effective tool to assist health professionals to provide ongoing monitoring and support.

Use of Wearable Activity Trackers for Physical Activity Promotion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola D. Ridgers ◽  
Samuel K. Lai
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers

Commercially available wearable activity trackers are small, non-invasive electronic devices that are worn on the body for the purposes of monitoring a range of outcomes including steps, energy expenditure, and sleep. These devices utilize sensors to track movement, and these recorded data are provided to the user via a visual display on the device itself and/or by syncing the device with an accompanying app or web-based program. Combined together, these devices and accompanying apps incorporate a broad range of behavior change techniques that are known to change behavior, including self-monitoring, goal setting, and social support. In recent years, wearable activity trackers have become increasingly popular, and the growth in ownership within different populations has occurred at an exponential rate. This growth in appeal has led to researchers and practitioners examining the validity and reliability of wearable activity trackers for measuring a range of outcomes and integrating the results into physical activity promotion strategies. Acceptable validity has been reported for steps and moderate validity for measuring energy expenditure. However, little research has examined whether wearable activity trackers are a feasible and effective method for changing physical activity behaviors in the short- and longer-term, either alone or in combination with additional strategies. Some initial results are promising, though concerns have been raised over longer-term use and impacts on motivation for physical activity. There is a need for research examining the longer-term use of wearable activity trackers in different population groups, and establishing whether this technology has any positive effects on physical activity levels.

scholarly journals Physical activity surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic: Using consumer-based activity trackers as a tool for physical activity monitoring in epidemiological studies (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Henriksen ◽  
Erlend Johannessen ◽  
Gunnar Hartvigsen ◽  
Sameline Grimsgaard ◽  
Laila Hopstock
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Physical Activity Monitoring ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Energy

BACKGROUND Consumer-based physical activity trackers increase in popularity. The widespread use of these devices and the long-term nature of the recorded data provides a valuable source of physical activity data for epidemiological research. Major challenges include the large number of activity tracker providers and models, and the difference in how and what data are recorded and shared. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to develop a system to record data on physical activity from different providers of consumer-based activity trackers, and to examine its usability as a tool for physical activity monitoring in epidemiological research. The longitudinal nature of the data and the concurrent pandemic outbreak allowed us to show how the system can be used for surveillance of physical activity levels before, during, and after a COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS We developed a system (mSpider) for automatic recording of data on physical activity from participants wearing activity trackers from Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Oura, Polar, Samsung, and Withings, as well as trackers storing data in Google Fit and Apple Health. To test the system throughout development, we recruited 35 volunteers to wear a provided activity tracker from primo 2019 and onwards. In addition, we recruited 113 participants with privately owned activity trackers worn before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown in Norway. We examined monthly change in number of steps, minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and activity energy expenditure during 2019-2020 using bar plots and two-sided paired sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS Compared to March 2019, there was a significant reduction in mean step count and mean activity energy expenditure during the March 2020 lockdown period. The reduction was temporary, and the year to year comparison show a small increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and no change in steps and activity energy expenditure. CONCLUSIONS mSpider is a working prototype currently able to record physical activity data from providers of consumer-based activity trackers. The system was successfully used to examine change in physical activity levels during the COVID-19 period.

scholarly journals A randomized controlled trial to evaluate a behavioral economic strategy for improving mobility in veterans with chronic pain

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0257320
Author(s):  
Peggy Compton ◽  
Krisda H. Chaiyachati ◽  
Tanisha Dicks ◽  
Elina Medvedeva ◽  
Manik Chhabra
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Pain Severity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Behavioral Economic ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Rates of chronic pain and daily opioid use are higher among veterans relative to civilian populations. Increasing physical activity can reduce pain severity and decrease opioid use among patients with chronic pain. Behavioral economic strategies can improve physical activity levels but have been undertested in veterans with chronic pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate if a financial incentive combined with a loss aversion component—a “regret lottery” in which veterans could win money if they met a set goal or told how much they could have won had they met their goal—would increase physical activity levels among veterans with chronic pain. A 12-week single-blinded randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04013529) was designed. Veterans with chronic pain (N = 40) receiving care at a specialty pain clinic were eligible for participation, and were randomly assigned (1:1) to either (a) activity trackers and daily text message reminders to increase physical activity (“control arm”), or (b) the same plus a weekly regret lottery (“intervention arm”). For those in the intervention arm, participants who met their activity goal, had a chance to win a small ($30) or large ($100) gift card incentive; those who did not meet their goals were informed of what they would have won had they met their goal. The primary outcome, physical activity, was measured using self-reported physical activity and step counts using activity trackers. Secondary outcomes included changes in physical function, chronic pain severity, depression and opioid use. The sample was primarily white, male and disabled, with an average age of 57 years. No between-arm differences were noted for physical activity, physical function, chronic pain severity, depression or opioid use. Regret lottery-based approaches may be ineffective at increasing physical activity levels in veterans with chronic pain. Trial Registry: NCT04013529.

scholarly journals The use of physical activity trackers devices and physical activity levels in adolescents and adults.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 258-270
Author(s):  
Vitor P. Lopes ◽  
Carla Sá
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Las Mujeres ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Older Males

El propósito fue investigar el uso de rastreadores de actividad física (RAF) y analizar la relación entre su uso y los niveles de actividad física (AF). Los participantes fueron N = 1498 (N = 841 mujeres) de 14 a 85 años. El interés, el uso y las preferencias de RAF se midieron mediante un cuestionario. La AF se midió utilizando la versión corta de IPAQ. La prueba de Kruskal-Wallis se utilizó para evaluar las diferencias en los niveles de AF entre los participantes. De todos los participantes que practican AF regularmente, el 59% no usa RAF, el 27% lo estaba usando y el 14% lo ha usado. Los adolescentes, las mujeres de mediana edad y los hombres mayores, que usan RAF, hicieron significativamente más AF intensa que los participantes que no lo usan. Los adultos jóvenes que usan RAF tuvieron niveles de AF moderada y vigorosa significativamente máselevada que los participantes que no lo usan. Los hombres de mediana edad que usan RAF tuvieron significativamente más AF global y AF vigorosa y caminaban más que los participantes que no lo usan. Alrededor de la mitad de los participantes que hacen ejercicio regularmente usan RAF.  A pesar de que los participantes que usan RAF tienden a tener niveles más altos de AF, no es concluyente que el uso de RAF conduzca a más PA. The purpose was to investigate the use of physical activity trackers (PAT) and to analyze the relationship between its use and physical activity (PA) levels. Participants were N=1498 (N=841 females) aged 14—85 years. Interest, use and preferences for PAT were measured by questionnaire. PA was measured using IPAQ short version. Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to test the differences in PA levels between participants. Out of all the participants who practice PA/exercise regularly, 59% do not use PAT, 27% were using, and 14% have used. Adolescents, middle-aged females and older males, who use PAT did significantly more vigorous PA than participants who not use. Young adults who use PAT did significantly more moderate and vigorous PA than participants who not use. And middle-aged males who use PAT did significantly more total week PA, vigorous PA and walking PA than participants who not use. About half of the participants that exercise regularly use PAT. Despite participants that use PAT tend to have higher levels of habitual PA, it is not conclusive that the use of PAT leads to do more PA. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de dispositivos de avaliação da atividade física (PAT) e analisar a relação entre o seu uso e os níveis de atividade física (AF). Os participantes foram N = 1498 (N = 841 mulheres) com idades compreendidas entre 14 e 85 anos. O interesse, uso e preferências pelo PAT foram medidos por questionário. A AF foi avaliada usando a versão curta do IPAQ. O teste de Kruskal-Wallis foi utilizado para testar as diferenças nos níveis de AF entre os participantes. De todos os participantes que praticam AF / exercitam-se regularmente, 59% não usam PAT, 27% estavam a usar e 14% já usaram. Adolescentes, mulheres de meia idade e homens mais velhos, que usam o PAT, fizeram AF significativamente mais vigorosa do que os participantes que não usam. Jovens adultos que usam PAT fizeram AF significativamente mais AF moderada a vigorosa do que os participantes que não usam. E os homens de meia-idade que usam PAT fizeram significativamente mais AF total na semana, AF vigorosa e AF de caminhada que os participantes que não usam. Cerca de metade dos participantes que se exercitam regularmente usam o PAT. Apesar dos participantes que usam o PAT tenderem a ter níveis mais altos de AF habitual, não é conclusivo que o uso do PAT indica mais AF.

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