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.

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.

scholarly journals Daily Physical Activity and Sleep Measured by Wearable Activity Trackers during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Lesson for Preventing Physical Inactivity during Future Pandemics

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 9956
Author(s):  
Hidetaka Hamasaki
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Tracker ◽  
The Impact

Wearable activity trackers are devices that are comfortably worn on the body and are designed to be effective in monitoring daily physical activity and improving physical fitness of the wearer. This review aimed to investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on physical activity measured using wearable activity trackers and discuss future perspectives on wearable activity trackers during pandemics. Daily physical activity was significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of strict public health measures, such as total lockdown, can decrease people’s physical activity by 50% or more of that prior to the lockdown. Physical inactivity is significantly associated with several health problems, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancers; therefore, an effective healthcare system to prevent physical inactivity during pandemics should be established. It is essential to create a network between healthcare organizations and wearable activity tracker users to monitor real-time health status and prepare for the future pandemic.

scholarly journals Enhancing the Physical Activity Levels of Frail Older Adults with a Wearable Activity Tracker-Based Exercise Intervention: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10344
Author(s):  
Justina Y. W. Liu ◽  
Rick Y. C. Kwan ◽  
Yue-Heng Yin ◽  
Paul H. Lee ◽  
Judy Yuen-man Siu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Frail Older Adults ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Wearable Activity Tracker

A wearable activity tracker (WAT) incorporated with behavioral change techniques (BCTs) increases physical activity in younger adults; however, its effectiveness with frail older adults is unknown. The feasibility and preliminary effects of a WAT-based exercise intervention to increase physical activity levels in frail older adults was investigated in this pilot study involving 40 community-dwelling frail older adults. The experimental group received a 14-week WAT-based group exercise intervention and a 3-month follow-up, while the control group only received similar physical training and all BCTs. The recruitment rate was 93%, and the average attendance rate was 85.2% and 82.2% in the WAT and control groups, respectively, establishing feasibility. Adherence to wearing the WAT was 94.2% and 92% during the intervention and follow-up periods, respectively. A significant interaction effect between time and group was found in all physical assessments, possibly lasting for 3 months post-intervention. However, no significant difference between groups was observed in any daily activity level by the ActiGraph measurement. The majority of the WAT group’s ActiGraph measurements reverted to baseline levels at the 1-month follow-up. Thus, the WAT-based exercise program has potential for employment among community-dwelling frail older adults, but sustaining the effects after the intervention remains a major challenge.

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.

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 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 Wearable Activity Tracker Use Among Australian Adolescents: Usability and Acceptability Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola D Ridgers ◽  
Anna Timperio ◽  
Helen Brown ◽  
Kylie Ball ◽  
Susie Macfarlane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Tracker ◽  
Barriers To Use

BACKGROUND Wearable activity trackers have the potential to be integrated into physical activity interventions, yet little is known about how adolescents use these devices or perceive their acceptability. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the usability and acceptability of a wearable activity tracker among adolescents. A secondary aim was to determine adolescents’ awareness and use of the different functions and features in the wearable activity tracker and accompanying app. METHODS Sixty adolescents (aged 13-14 years) in year 8 from 3 secondary schools in Melbourne, Australia, were provided with a wrist-worn Fitbit Flex and accompanying app, and were asked to use it for 6 weeks. Demographic data (age, sex) were collected via a Web-based survey completed during week 1 of the study. At the conclusion of the 6-week period, all adolescents participated in focus groups that explored their perceptions of the usability and acceptability of the Fitbit Flex, accompanying app, and Web-based Fitbit profile. Qualitative data were analyzed using pen profiles, which were constructed from verbatim transcripts. RESULTS Adolescents typically found the Fitbit Flex easy to use for activity tracking, though greater difficulties were reported for monitoring sleep. The Fitbit Flex was perceived to be useful for tracking daily activities, and adolescents used a range of features and functions available through the device and the app. Barriers to use included the comfort and design of the Fitbit Flex, a lack of specific feedback about activity levels, and the inability to wear the wearable activity tracker for water-based sports. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents reported that the Fitbit Flex was easy to use and that it was a useful tool for tracking daily activities. A number of functions and features were used, including the device’s visual display to track and self-monitor activity, goal-setting in the accompanying app, and undertaking challenges against friends. However, several barriers to use were identified, which may impact on sustained use over time. Overall, wearable activity trackers have the potential to be integrated into physical activity interventions targeted at adolescents, but both the functionality and wearability of the monitor should be considered.

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