Technology and physical activity motivation

Abstract

Technological devices have evolved into a popular social trend becoming a part of many people's daily life. As a result, technology devices are becoming more commonly used for different tasks and activities. The current study examined if wearing a Nike Fuelband (FB) SE increased physical activity (PA) motivation for an adult population. The research design included an 8-week, pre-/post-test intervention. The inclusion of the FB SE served as the research intervention. Participants (n = 42) included two convenient samples located in Colorado and Nebraska. Prior to study investigation, participants were trained how to use all the functions of the device, associated Nike+ Connect program, and given additional resources for reference. Participants completed the Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 before device training and post 8 weeks. Pre-and post-data were analysed using a paired t-test. The current study reports that significant differences were present among the measured constructs of affiliation, enjoyment, challenge, and positive health motivation. Participants who used the FB reported a significant increase in the motivation constructs of affiliation, enjoyment, challenge, and positive health motivation over an 8-week intervention. This study suggests that electronic activity-tracking devices can be valuable tools for behaviour change, aiding efforts to increase adult PA levels and decrease trends of obesity.

The Motivational Impact of Wearable Healthy Lifestyle Technologies: A Self-determination Perspective on Fitbits With Adolescents

“…20,21 Though most empirical evidence on healthy lifestyle technologies is based on assessing quality and validity, 22 an emerging evidence base in young adults demonstrates that commercial wearable fitness trackers and their associated apps increase physical activity levels and impact motivational constructs of enjoyment, challenge, affiliation, and positive health motivation. 23 Young people (age [11][12] have also reported finding features of real-time feedback and competition from the commercial Fitbit motivating, 24 suggesting that promotion of self-monitoring and goal-setting behaviors can increase physical activity levels. 25,26 Yet the evidence base on the health-related impact of young people's (age [13][14] use of healthy lifestyle technologies is limited.…”

“…21 Further, the limited evidence base is inconclusive. For example, though a noncommercial app used with obese patients (age [11][12][13][14][15] resulted in weight reduction and improvements to intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, 27 other nonrandomized interventions (age [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] report no significant differences in diet/nutrition or physical activity behaviors. 21 In an account of young girls' (age 11-15) experiences of commercial health apps and wearable devices (eg, Popsugar Active or Strava), heightened levels of body dissatisfaction were reported 14 -a known variable evidenced to impact negatively on physical activity behaviors.…”

Student-centered approach and alternative assessments to improve students’ learning domains during health education sessions

“…According to Duncan, Birch, and Woodfield [6], collecting step counts using devices such as a pedometer or accelerometer is beneficial to improve the physical activity (PA) levels among the wearers. The wearers were willing to be involved in PA for a prolonged period of time due to the capabilities of the devices to offer their users motivation, reflection, accountability, goals, and rewards [2,6]. Additionally, these devices provide more opportunities for an individual to develop self-monitoring skills (e.g., goals setting, PA log).…”

“…Furthermore, the opportunity to share data through various mobile applications and the Internet increases the social effects from using the wearable technologies, making it more attractive for many individuals [2,6]. Due to the steady increase of non-communicable diseases (e.g., obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac issues) in Malaysia, integrating these wearable technologies seems to be more relevant at all levels of society [24].…”

Ambient Technology to Assist Elderly People in Indoor Risks

“…Wearable sensors have a strong presence in health, fitness and well-being technology, with products (e.g., Apple Health, Google Fit, and Apple Watch) and systems that track various body measurements including steps, sleep, heart rate, burned calories, distance traveled and individual exercises. Physical activity trackers have software that allows users to set physical activity goals and prompts them to work towards these goals [173].…”