scholarly journals Group Outdoor Health Walks Using Activity Trackers: Measurement and Implementation Insight from a Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine N. Irvine ◽  
Melissa R. Marselle ◽  
Alan Melrose ◽  
Sara L. Warber
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Holistic Health ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Outdoor Walking ◽  
Programme Delivery

Outdoor walking groups are nature-based interventions (NBIs) that promote health and wellbeing by modifying individual behaviour. The challenges of such NBIs include the motivation of inactive adults to participate and measurement issues. This feasibility study investigates a 12-week group outdoor health walk (GOHW) incorporating activity trackers and use of a holistic health and wellbeing measure, the Self-sasessment of Change (SAC) scale. A mixed methods design explored participant recruitment and retention, programme delivery, and measures of physical activity and health and wellbeing. Walker data included: pre-post questionnaires, daily step counts, and interviews. Programme delivery information included: weekly checklists, staff reflections, stakeholder meeting minutes, and a report. Thirteen adults (age 63–81, 76% female) joined and completed the activity tracker GOHW. Activity trackers motivated walkers to join and be more active but complicated programme delivery. Activity trackers allowed the quantification of physical activity and the SAC health and wellbeing measure was easy to use. By week 12, all participants met national physical activity guidelines. Clinically relevant changes on the SAC scale included: sleeping well, experiencing vibrant senses, and feeling energised, focused, joyful, calm and whole. Results illustrate the feasibility of using activity trackers to motivate engagement in and provide a measure of physical activity from GOHWs. The SAC scale offers a promising measure for nature–health research. A conceptual model is provided for the development of future large-scale studies of NBIs, such as group outdoor health walks.

scholarly journals Effects of an Activity Tracker and App Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Whole Families—The Step It Up Family Feasibility Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7655
Author(s):  
Stephanie Schoeppe ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Susan L. Williams ◽  
Deborah Power ◽  
Stephanie Alley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Family Program ◽  
The Mean

(1) Background: Interventions using activity trackers and smartphone apps have demonstrated their ability to increase physical activity in children and adults. However, they have not been tested in whole families. Further, few family-centered interventions have actively involved both parents and assessed physical activity effects separately for children, mothers and fathers. Objective: To examine the feasibility and short-term effects of an activity tracker and app intervention to increase physical activity in the whole family (children, mothers and fathers). (2) Methods: This was a single-arm feasibility study with pre-post intervention measures. Between 2017–2018, 40 families (58 children aged 6–10 years, 39 mothers, 33 fathers) participated in the 6-week Step it Up Family program in Queensland, Australia. Using commercial activity trackers combined with apps (Garmin Vivofit Jr for children, Vivofit 3 for adults; Garmin Australasia Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia), the intervention included individual and family-level goal-setting, self-monitoring, performance feedback, family step challenges, family social support and modelling, weekly motivational text messages and an introductory session. Parent surveys were used to assess physical activity effects measured as pre-post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children, mothers and fathers. Objective Garmin activity tracker data was recorded to assess physical activity levels (steps, active minutes) during the intervention. (3) Results: Thirty-eight families completed the post intervention survey (95% retention). At post intervention, MVPA had increased in children by 58 min/day (boys: 54 min/day, girls: 62 min/day; all p < 0.001). In mothers, MVPA increased by 27 min/day (p < 0.001) and in fathers, it increased by 31 min/day (p < 0.001). The percentage of children meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for children (≥60 MVPA min/day) increased from 34% to 89% (p < 0.001). The percentage of mothers and fathers meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for adults (≥150 MVPA min/week) increased from 8% to 57% (p < 0.001) in mothers and from 21% to 68% (p < 0.001) in fathers. The percentage of families with ‘at least one child and both parents’ meeting the physical activity guidelines increased from 0% to 41% (p < 0.001). Objective activity tracker data recorded during the intervention showed that the mean (SD) number of active minutes per day in children was 82.1 (17.1). Further, the mean (SD) steps per day was 9590.7 (2425.3) in children, 7397.5 (1954.2) in mothers and 8161.7 (3370.3) in fathers. (4) Conclusions: Acknowledging the uncontrolled study design, the large pre-post changes in MVPA and rather high step counts recorded during the intervention suggest that an activity tracker and app intervention can increase physical activity in whole families. The Step it Up Family program warrants further efficacy testing in a larger, randomized controlled trial.

Efficacy of an activity tracker-and app intervention to increase physical activity in the entire family: Pilot single-arm intervention study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Schoeppe ◽  
Jo Salmon ◽  
Susan L. Williams ◽  
Deborah Power ◽  
Stephanie Alley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Entire Family ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Activity Tracker ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Family Program ◽  
Intervention Efficacy

BACKGROUND Interventions using activity trackers and smartphone apps have demonstrated their ability to increase physical activity in children and adults. However, they have not been tested in entire families. Further, few family-centred interventions have actively involved both parents, and assessed intervention efficacy separately for children, mothers and fathers. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the short-term efficacy of an activity tracker and app intervention to increase physical activity in the entire family (children, mothers and fathers). METHODS This was a pilot single-arm intervention study with pre-post measures. Between 2017-2018, 40 families (58 children aged 6-10 years, 39 mothers, 33 fathers) participated in the 6-week Step it Up Family program in Queensland, Australia. Using commercial activity trackers combined with apps (Garmin Vivofit Jr for children, Vivofit 3 for adults), the intervention included individual and family-level goal-setting, self-monitoring, performance feedback, family step challenges, family social support and modelling, weekly motivational text messages, and an introductory session delivered face-to-face or via telephone. Parent surveys were used to assess intervention efficacy measured as pre-post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children, mothers and fathers. RESULTS Thirty-eight families completed the post intervention survey (95% retention). At post intervention, MVPA had increased in children by 58 min/day (boys: 54 min/day, girls: 62 min/day; all P < .001). In mothers, MVPA increased by 27 min/day (P < .001), and in fathers, it increased by 31 min/day (P < .001). Furthermore, the percentage of children meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for children (≥60 MVPA min/day) increased from 34% to 89% (P < .001). The percentage of mothers and fathers meeting Australia’s physical activity guidelines for adults (≥150 MVPA min/week) increased from 8% to 57% (P < .001) in mothers, and from 21% to 68% (P < .001) in fathers. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that an activity tracker and app intervention is an efficacious approach to increasing physical activity in entire families to meet national physical activity guidelines. The Step it Up Family program warrants further testing in a larger, randomised controlled trial to determine its long-term impact. CLINICALTRIAL No trial registration as this is not an RCT. It is a pilot single-arm intervention study

scholarly journals Recall, perceptions and determinants of receiving physical activity advice amongst cancer survivors: a mixed-methods survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel T. Orange ◽  
Stephen E. Gilbert ◽  
Morven C. Brown ◽  
John M. Saxton
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Physical Activity Advice ◽  
Exercise Specialist ◽  
Tailored Approach ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Exercise Guidelines

Abstract Purpose This study explored cancer survivors’ views and experiences of receiving physical activity advice post-diagnosis. We also determined the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on the recall of physical activity advice and whether receiving advice was associated with meeting physical activity guidelines. Methods An anonymised, mixed-methods, 27-item survey was distributed to cancer survivors via online cancer communities in the UK. Results Of the 242 respondents, 52% recalled receiving physical activity advice. Of those who recalled receiving advice, only 30% received guidance on type of physical activity and 14% were referred to another source of information or exercise specialist. Advice was most often given after treatment cessation, with only 19% of respondents receiving advice during active treatment. Most respondents (56%) expressed a need for further information. There was no evidence of associations between sociodemographic characteristics and recall of physical activity advice. However, cancer survivors who perceived the physical activity advice they received as being appropriate (odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.4–10.7) and those with a higher level of education (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.8–5.8) were more likely to meet aerobic exercise guidelines. Females were less likely to meet resistance exercise guidelines than males (OR 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21–0.90). Conclusion There is scope to improve the provision of physical activity advice in cancer care by providing advice in a timely manner after diagnosis, referring patients to a suitable exercise or rehabilitation specialist when indicated, and using a tailored approach to ensure the advice is appropriate for specific sociodemographic groups.

scholarly journals P59 Monitoring the recovery time of children after elective tonsillectomies using commercial activity trackers, an prospective feasibility study

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. e41.2-e42
Author(s):  
PIP Lambrechtse ◽  
VC Ziesenitz ◽  
A Atkinson ◽  
EJ Bos ◽  
T Welzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Recovery Time ◽  
List Type ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Activity Data ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers

IntroductionWearable activity trackers are increasingly incorporated into daily life and are advancing in their technology in means of accuracy, validity and acceptability,1-6 however there is deficient knowledge on using these devices in a paediatric setting. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of physical activity tracking in children7 before and after a standardized surgical intervention and to assess the recovery time after surgery.MethodsThis was a single centre, open-label, prospective feasibility study. We aimed at recruiting 24 children and adolescents 4–16 years of age undergoing elective tonsillectomy. The preoperative period was 10 days before surgery and the postoperative period was 28 days. Activity data were gathered with activity trackers.8 Reference activity was defined as the individual mean of daily steps preoperatively. Recovery time was defined as the number of days that the patient needed to reach reference activity postoperatively. The population was stratified according to age (4–7, 8–16 years).ResultsTwelve male and twelve female patients participated (mean age 6yr, mean BMI percentile 44.7). The age group 4–7 years had a mean recovery time of 11.2 days (SD 5.0) compared to 8.3 days (SD 1.7) in the age group 8–16. The difference was 2.9 days. The tracker datasets were 58% complete. The rate of technical failures of the trackers was 29.2% for the total study period.ConclusionsActivity trackers are a potential tool viable to assess recovery time after surgery in children. Recovery time after tonsillectomy seems to be age-dependent with older children recovering faster. For future studies, we recommend using trackers as a part of assessing physical activity as a parameter of general wellbeing of child during or after an intervention. Using wearable activity trackers is a more modern and appropriate method to assess physical activity,9-14 especially in a paediatric population.ReferencesBrooke SM, An HS, Kang SK, Noble JM, Berg KE, Lee JM. Concurrent validity of wearable activity trackers under free-living conditions. J Strength Cond Res 2017;31(4).Fokkema T, Kooiman TJM, Krijnen WP, Van Der Schans CP, De Groot M. Reliability and validity of ten consumer activity trackers depend on walking speed. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017;49(4).Evenson KR, Goto MM, Furberg RD. Systematic review of the validity and reliability of consumer-wearable activity trackers. Vol. 12, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2015.Huang Y, Xu J, Yu B, Shull PB. Validity of FitBit, Jawbone UP, Nike+ and other wearable devices for level and stair walking. Gait Posture 2016;Hein IM, Troost PW, De Vries MC, Knibbe CAJ, Van Goudoever JB, Lindauer RJL. Why do children decide not to participate in clinical research: A quantitative and qualitative study. Pediatr Res 2015;Van Berge Henegouwen MTH, Van Driel HF, Kasteleijn-Nolst Trenité DGA. A patient diary as a tool to improve medicine compliance. Pharm World Sci 1999;21(1):21–4.Stone AA. Patient non-compliance with paper diaries. BMJ 2002;Disclosure(s)Nothing to disclose

scholarly journals Implementation of a workplace intervention using financial rewards to promote adherence to physical activity guidelines: a feasibility study

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Losina ◽  
Savannah R. Smith ◽  
Ilana M. Usiskin ◽  
Kristina M. Klara ◽  
Griffin L. Michl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Workplace Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines

scholarly journals Automatic Identification of Physical Activity Type and Duration by Wearable Activity Trackers: A Validation Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Dorn ◽  
Jessica Gorzelitz ◽  
Ronald Gangnon ◽  
David Bell ◽  
Kelli Koltyn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Automatic Identification ◽  
Activity Type ◽  
Activity Duration ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Outdoor Walking ◽  
Wearable Activity Trackers ◽  
Activity Types

BACKGROUND Activity trackers are now ubiquitous in certain populations, with potential applications for health promotion and monitoring and chronic disease management. Understanding the accuracy of this technology is critical to the appropriate and productive use of wearables in health research. Although other peer-reviewed validations have examined other features (eg, steps and heart rate), no published studies to date have addressed the accuracy of automatic activity type detection and duration accuracy in wearable trackers. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the ability of 4 commercially available wearable activity trackers (Fitbits Flex 2, Fitbit Alta HR, Fitbit Charge 2, and Garmin Vívosmart HR), in a controlled setting, to correctly and automatically identify the type and duration of the physical activity being performed. METHODS A total of 8 activity types, including walking and running (on both a treadmill and outdoors), a run embedded in walking bouts, elliptical use, outdoor biking, and pool lap swimming, were tested by 28 to 34 healthy adult participants (69 total participants who participated in some to all activity types). Actual activity type and duration were recorded by study personnel and compared with tracker data using descriptive statistics and mean absolute percent error (MAPE). RESULTS The proportion of trials in which the activity type was correctly identified was 93% to 97% (depending on the tracker) for treadmill walking, 93% to 100% for treadmill running, 36% to 62% for treadmill running when preceded and followed by a walk, 97% to 100% for outdoor walking, 100% for outdoor running, 3% to 97% for using an elliptical, 44% to 97% for biking, and 87.5% for swimming. When activities were correctly identified, the MAPE of the detected duration versus the actual activity duration was between 7% and 7.9% for treadmill walking, 8.7% and 144.8% for treadmill running, 23.6% and 28.9% for treadmill running when preceded and followed by a walk, 4.9% and 11.8% for outdoor walking, 5.6% and 9.6% for outdoor running, 9.7% and 13% for using an elliptical, 9.5% and 17.7% for biking, and was 26.9% for swimming. CONCLUSIONS In a controlled setting, wearable activity trackers provide accurate recognition of the type of some common physical activities, especially outdoor walking and running and walking on a treadmill. The accuracy of measurement of activity duration varied considerably by activity type and tracker model and was poor for complex sets of activity, such as a run embedded within 2 walking segments.

scholarly journals Advancing Australia's Agenda for Young Children's Health and Wellbeing: Empirical Insights into Educator Knowledge, Confidence and Intentions in Promoting Children's Learning, Eating, Active Play and Sleep (LEAPS)

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Cleland ◽  
Rebecca Byrne ◽  
Helen Vidgen ◽  
Susan Irvine ◽  
Ann Farrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Active Play ◽  
Physical Activity Guidelines ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

EDUCATORS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD education and care (ECEC) settings play a critical role in advancing Australia's agenda for children's health and wellbeing. The LEAPS (Learning, Eating, Active Play, Sleep) professional development program was designed to acknowledge and improve educator knowledge of national healthy eating and physical activity guidelines, as a critical foundation for health and wellbeing of children and families. The program consisted of online reading and face-to-face professional development. Change in educator knowledge and confidence was assessed via pre- and post-questionnaire, with two additional open-ended questions regarding intention to change practice post-program. Educators (n = 765) participating in LEAPS increased their knowledge of nutrition and physical activity guidelines, and planned to implement practice changes as a result—namely communication of healthy eating and physical activity messages with colleagues, parents and children; and engaging parents in these areas within their service. Professional development regarding health guidelines is important to support evidence-based communication between educators and parents.

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