Effect of wrist-worn activity monitor feedback on physical activity behavior: A randomized controlled trial in Finnish young men

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the use of an activity monitor providing feedback has an effect on physical activity (PA) in young men. A population-based sample of 276 conscription-aged (mean = 17.9, SD = 0.7 years) men participated in a 3-month randomized controlled trial in Oulu in 2012. Participants were randomized to an intervention group (INT, N = 137) and a control group (CON, N = 139). INT received a wrist-worn monitor (Polar Active) showing daily activity, and CON received identical monitors without feedback. Main outcome was the change from baseline in objectively measured weekly time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary activity (SED), as assessed by generalized estimation equations (GEE). Other lifestyle factors were assessed by a questionnaire at baseline and at 3 months. Weekly physical activity data (≥ 4 days with ≥ 8 h each) were obtained from 72 (53%) and 90 (65%) men in the INT and CON, respectively. Based on GEE, time spent in MVPA increased (p = 0.012) and SED decreased (p = 0.032) in the INT compared with the CON. During the first 7 weeks, the INT spent on average 1 h less sedentary than the CON (t-test, p < 0.05). During the first week, the INT showed 12 minutes more MVPA compared to the CON (t-test, p = 0.034). Based on questionnaire data, the proportion of the most sedentary men decreased in the INT (Wilcoxon test, 28% vs. 10%, p = 0.029), with no change in the CON (20% vs. 19%, p = 0.546). To conclude, a wrist-worn activity monitor providing feedback had a short-term positive effect on PA and SED in young men.Trial registrationThis is a pilot study for a larger randomized controlled trial registered to the clinical trials register NCT01376986.

Which behaviour change techniques within interventions to prevent weight gain and/or initiate weight loss improve adiposity outcomes in young adults? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Table summarizes study characteristics, while Table S2 tabulates detailed study characteristics. Of the 51 included studies, 20 studies were eligible for meta‐analysis of BMI, 19 studies were eligible for meta‐analysis of weight, and 10 studies were eligible for meta‐analysis of waist circumference …”

“…Of the 51 included studies, a total of 43 measured change in weight, with 41 of these having an objective measure of weight and two using a self‐report measure for weight . This includes 19 studies from the meta‐analysis and a further 24 studies that reported weight as an outcome with results in a format that was not compatible for inclusion in the meta‐analysis.…”

“…A total of 36 studies measured changed in BMI, with 32 of these using an objective measure for BMI, while four studies used self‐report measures for BMI . This includes the 20 studies from the meta‐analysis and a further 16 studies that reported BMI as an outcome, but results were not comparable and therefore not included in the meta‐analysis.…”

Measuring Physical Activity in Free-Living Conditions—Comparison of Three Accelerometry-Based Methods

“…For the epoch of interest, the MAD is calculated from the resultant of the three orthogonal accelerations and it describes the mean variation of the dynamic acceleration component around the static component. On the other hand, Polar Active represents wrist-worn accelerometer with high user-friendliness (Brugniaux et al, 2010; Schaefer et al, 2014; Troiano et al, 2014; Jauho et al, 2015). In earlier studies Polar Active has been found to relate to indirect calorimetry and double labeled water with regard to energy expenditure (EE) calculation (Brugniaux et al, 2010; Kinnunen et al, 2012).…”

Correlates of Physical Activity Behavior in Adults: A Data Mining Approach

“…Association analysis was done to assure the importance of identified data-driven factors in 9 explaining different levels of PA intensity. The PA metrics were calculated using previously validated cut-points (SED, 1-1.99 MET; LPA, 2-3.49 MET; and MVPA, ≥ 3.5 MET) by the accelerometer manufacturer (28).…”