Physical activity and fitness: The feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of wearable activity tracker technology incorporating altruistic motivation in youth

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of using wearable activity tracker technology, integrated with altruistic motivation in children to increase physical activity (PA), fitness, and prosocial behavior.Design and MethodsA quasiexperimental design was employed in two 4th grade classrooms in a rural southern state. The intervention was a wearable PA tracker and a web‐based curriculum with activities to earn power points redeemable to provide life‐saving food to undernourished kids internationally. Seventeen children in the intervention group participated in the 10‐week PA program and 18 children were in the wait listed control group. Three measures were assessed in both groups at baseline and postintervention: (a) PA measured with accelerometers, (b) fitness levels measured with shuttle run, and (c) prosocial behavior measured with Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire.ResultsOf the 35 children enrolled, the majority were nine years old (n = 28), black (n = 31) and female (n = 23). An overall enrollment rate of 88%, attrition rate of 9%, and an accelerometer noncompliance rate of 25% was determined to assess feasibility. There was no statistical significance between the control and intervention group outcome variables. The average minutes of PA in the control group decreased 8 min from baseline to postintervention (p = .05). In the intervention group, PA decreased by 10 min from baseline to postintervention (p = .12). In both the control and intervention groups, prosocial behavior scores decreased (p = .09 control; p = .62 intervention). The fitness scores, VO2 max, did not significantly change (intervention p = .21; control p = .35).Practice ImplicationsDeveloping effective interventions that foster PA and dissuade sedentary behaviors are essential to enhancing PA and fitness levels. The recruitment, retention, and accelerometer wear adherence suggest this setting, with this population is feasible. The intervention is deliverable, however, the potential of wearable activity trackers and the effect of prosocial behavior that benefits others in increasing PA and improving cardiorespiratory fitness, should be further researched by building on the successful elements of this study.

Physical activity interventions to increase children's social and emotional learning: A systematic review and meta‐analysis based on the comprehensive school physical activity programme framework

“…The intervention programmes consisted of placing recycled materials without an obvious play purpose on school playgrounds (Bundy et al., 2017) and a teacher‐led experience that utilised regular classroom time and home activities that leveraged easy‐to‐use technology and the standards‐based UNICEF Power Up curriculum using active games, videos and yoga (Duck et al., 2020); SEL outcomes included SA ( n = 1) and RS ( n = 2). Both interventions were delivered by a school‐based team (i.e., teachers and students).…”

“…In the study by Bundy et al (2017), the comparison group engaged in regular, unstructured school activities with standard playground access. Additionally, in the study conducted by Duck et al (2020), the group did not wear activity tracker technology and continued their regular routines. These control programmes were predominantly facilitated by teachers with minimal researcher intervention.…”

Dispersion of daily physical activity behaviors in school‐age children: A novel approach to measure patterns of physical activity

“…Analysis of an existing data set with raw accelerometer data (Duck et al, 2020) revealed PA patterns of movement dispersion in school‐aged children. The original study variables included time and intensity of PA, VO 2 max, and BMI percentiles.…”

“…In the original study, school‐aged children in the southern United States underwent evaluation of altruistic motivation for PA behavior (Duck et al, 2020). Thirty‐two participants, ages 9–10 years old, spoke English, ambulated independently, and reported no evidence of overt disease.…”

“…Participants verbalized understanding of instructions to wear the device on their hip daily for 24 h for 7 days, except when swimming or bathing. Human subjects' protections and complete analysis of the original sample have been previously reported (Duck et al, 2020).…”