Are technologies designed to support physical activity really helping young adults be active? A four-year longitudinal study.

Fitness apps are promising digital tools to support self-tracking and physical activity. Specific app functions such as normalised step targets represent controlling conditions that can affect controlled vs. autonomous motivation and thus motivated physical activity. It was the aim of this study to examine the effects of self-tracking via a fitness app and a normalised step target on aspects of motivation and physical activity by using Self-Determination Theory. In a six-week RCT (N = 152; age M = 24.43, SD = 4.61), participants in two groups were provided with Fitbit Flex 2 to track their physical activity. Participants in the experimental target group (ET) had a normalised step target of 10,000 whereas the experimental no target group (ENT) had no target. Participants in a third control group tracked their physical activity without fitness app support. Self-reported physical activity, basic needs satisfaction, and motivation regulation were assessed via the LTEQ, PNSEG, and SKK scales. Medium increases in overall and light physical activity increased were found in the fitness tracker groups compared to the control group (η 2 = 0.062, η 2 = 0.094). Small increases in autonomy need satisfaction were found in the ENT group (η 2 = 0.012). Conclusively, self-tracking via fitness apps can support physical activity, and normalised step targets can undermine motivation in young adults during a six-week intervention. Lack of normalised targets can support autonomy need satisfaction and physical activity but can also foster amotivation. Thus, it is advised to support autonomous goal setting in fitness app users. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00014835.

: Fitness Tracker is outcome of research and development in area of information and technology to analyse health related issues. We explore how wearable technology can be a game changer for encouraging physical exercise and overall well-being on our fitness tracker website. Using data from landmark research on fitness tracker effectiveness (Jacobsen et al., 2016; Flores Mateo et al., 2015) [1][2], we investigate how these gadgets enable users to monitor and enhance their workout regimens. Our content, which highlights industry trends and technological breakthroughs, is informed by market analyses (Market Research Future; Deloitte Insights) [3][4] and extensive textbooks on sensor technology (Sazonov & Neuman) [5]…We discuss the effectiveness of incentives in encouraging persistent physical activity engagement, guided by studies like the randomized controlled experiment conducted by Finkelstein et al. (2016) [6]. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) have both released evidence-based guidelines [7][8] that support regular exercise as the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle (CDC; Int. J. Sports Med.) [9][10]. These guidelines serve as the foundation for our approach.Additionally, by combining knowledge from digital health and behavioral science, we examine how wearable fitness technology affects habit modification and long-term health consequences. Our website provides thorough information and practical techniques for individuals seeking to maximize their fitness objectives and overall well-being through the synthesis of these diverse viewpoints. .Keywords – Fitness Apps, Fitness Gadgets, Fitness Trackers, Physical Activity, Weight Loss, General Health, Etc.,

BackgroundApproximately one-half of American adults exhibit low health literacy and thus struggle to find and use health information. Low health literacy is associated with negative outcomes including overall poorer health. Health information technology (HIT) makes health information available directly to patients through electronic tools including patient portals, wearable technology, and mobile apps. The direct availability of this information to patients, however, may be complicated by misunderstanding of HIT privacy and information sharing.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine whether health literacy is associated with patients’ use of four types of HIT tools: fitness and nutrition apps, activity trackers, and patient portals. Additionally, we sought to explore whether health literacy is associated with patients’ perceived ease of use and usefulness of these HIT tools, as well as patients’ perceptions of privacy offered by HIT tools and trust in government, media, technology companies, and health care. This study is the first wide-scale investigation of these interrelated concepts.MethodsParticipants were 4974 American adults (n=2102, 42.26% male, n=3146, 63.25% white, average age 43.5, SD 16.7 years). Participants completed the Newest Vital Sign measure of health literacy and indicated their actual use of HIT tools, as well as the perceived ease of use and usefulness of these applications. Participants also answered questions regarding information privacy and institutional trust, as well as demographic items.ResultsCross-tabulation analysis indicated that adequate versus less than adequate health literacy was significantly associated with use of fitness apps (P=.02), nutrition apps (P<.001), activity trackers (P<.001), and patient portals (P<.001). Additionally, greater health literacy was significantly associated with greater perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness across all HIT tools after controlling for demographics. Regarding privacy perceptions of HIT and institutional trust, patients with greater health literacy often demonstrated decreased privacy perceptions for HIT tools including fitness apps (P<.001) and nutrition apps (P<.001). Health literacy was negatively associated with trust in government (P<.001), media (P<.001), and technology companies (P<.001). Interestingly, health literacy score was positively associated with trust in health care (P=.03).ConclusionsPatients with low health literacy were less likely to use HIT tools or perceive them as easy or useful, but they perceived information on HIT as private. Given the fast-paced evolution of technology, there is a pressing need to further the understanding of how health literacy is related to HIT app adoption and usage. This will ensure that all users receive the full health benefits from these technological advances, in a manner that protects health information privacy, and that users engage with organizations and providers they trust.

Research on Internet Assisted App Information Security System for College Students' Physical Health

An infinite number of fitness apps are available on various app stores. However, hardly any of them are fitted to the needs and requirements of care‐dependent people. This paper investigates the effectiveness of a customised fitness‐app prototype for increasing physical activity in home care service users. Home care service users from Austria and Italy were randomly assigned to two groups. In total, 216 participants were involved in the field trial, 104 received a tablet with the fitness app and an activity tracker (treatment group), 112 did not (control group). Regularity of physical activity, frequency of fitness exercises and walking behaviour were self‐reported by participants at baseline, after 4 months and after 8 months. In addition, the frequency of using the prototype was assessed based on the fitness app's logged usage data. We estimated multilevel mixed‐effects ordered logistic models to examine the effects of the intervention. After 4 months, the intervention increased the home care users’ probability of agreeing strongly with being physically active on a regular basis by 28 percentage points (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.36) and their probability of reporting to exercise more than once a week by 45 percentage points (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.57). Walking behaviour was not affected on group‐level but improved for frequent users of the activity tracker. Frequent and regular users of the fitness app benefited most and effects persisted until the end of the 8 months controlled trial. Tailoring a fitness‐app prototype to the needs of care‐dependent people has the potential to support people with functional limitations to engage in a more active lifestyle. Future research is encouraged to seek further insights into how new technologies can support physical activities in people with long‐term care needs.

PurposeIn this article we aim to understand how the network formed by fitness tracking devices and associated apps as a subset of the broader health-related Internet of things is capable of spreading information.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a combination of a content analysis, network analysis, community detection and simulation. A sample of 922 health-related apps (including manufacturers' apps and developers) were collected through snowball sampling after an initial content analysis from a Google search for fitness tracking devices.FindingsThe network of fitness apps is disassortative with high-degree nodes connecting to low-degree nodes, follow a power-law degree distribution and present with low community structure. Information spreads faster through the network than an artificial small-world network and fastest when nodes with high degree centrality are the seeds.Practical implicationsThis capability to spread information holds implications for both intended and unintended data sharing.Originality/valueThe analysis confirms and supports evidence of widespread mobility of data between fitness and health apps that were initially reported in earlier work and in addition provides evidence for the dynamic diffusion capability of the network based on its structure. The structure of the network enables the duality of the purpose of data sharing.

Numerous health apps focusing on fitness, nutrition, and physical activity are available, yet many adolescents have never used them. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of the use of fitness and diet apps and related socio-demographic factors and digital behaviors among high school students. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. High school students were recruited from 4 out of 21 public high schools in Belgrade, Serbia. Participants filled out an anonymous questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics and digital behaviors, along with the e-health literacy scale (eHEALS). Adjusted logistic regression was applied for data analysis using SPSS 20. Of the 702 students who completed the questionnaire, 670 used smartphones (95.4%; average age 16.5±1.2 years). The prevalence of fitness and diet app use among girls was 29.7% and 9.6%, as well as 17.3% and 3.6% among boys, respectively. Having higher family income, having better e-health literacy, browsing websites about fitness and diet, and using diet apps but not watching YouTube were associated with the use of fitness apps among girls. Being younger and browsing fitness websites and YouTube were associated with the use of fitness apps among boys. Being younger, browsing websites about diet, and using fitness apps were associated with the use of diet apps among girls. Based on the findings, girls used fitness and diet apps more often than boys. Practical demonstrations on how to utilize certain health apps could be an additional opportunity to support positive health behaviors among adolescents.

Electronic activity trackers encourage family fun and fitness.

Cancer Patients' Perception of Usefulness of Wearable Exercise Trackers.

The markets of commercial wearables and health and fitness apps are constantly growing globally, especially among young adults and athletes, to track physical activity, energy expenditure and health. Despite their wide availability, evidence on use comes predominantly from the United States or Global North, with none targeting college student-athletes in low- and middle-income countries. This study was aimed to explore the use of these technologies among student-athletes at the American University of Beirut (AUB). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 482 participants (average age 20 years) enrolled in 24 teams during Fall 2018; 230 students successfully completed the web-based survey, and 200 provided valid data. Fifty-three (26.5%) have owned a fitness tracker, mostly for self-monitoring. The most popular were Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin. Similarly, 82 students (40%) used apps, primarily MyFitnessPal, Apple Health, and Samsung Health. Nevertheless, many participants discontinued use due to loss of interest or technical issues (breaking, usability, obsolescence, or lack of engagement). Wearable devices were considered superior to mobile phones alone as physical activity monitors. However, forming regular habits made self-monitoring via technology irrelevant. Further research is needed to better understand what motivates continuous use among student-athletes, who could use trackers to improve athletic performance and overall health.

THE USE OF INDIVIDUALIZED EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION AND ACTIVITY TRACKERS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Tracking every bite and step: Associations between diet and fitness app use, disordered eating, body image concern and compulsive exercise.

The relationship between fitness app use and physical activity behavior is mediated by exercise identity

BackgroundLack of physical activity (PA) is a risk factor for death and non-communicable disease. Despite this, more than one fourth of adults worldwide do not follow PA guidelines. As part of a feasibility study to test a complex intervention for increasing PA, we included a consumer-based activity tracker (AT) as a tool to measure PA outcomes and to track heart rate during exercise sessions. The aim of the present study was to identify factors that increase wear time when using a consumer-based AT for monitoring of participants in clinical research.MethodsSixteen participants aged 55–74 years, with obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and elevated cardiovascular risk were recruited to a 12-month feasibility study. Participants wore a Polar M430 AT to collect continuous PA data during a six-month intervention followed by 6 months of follow-up. We performed quantitative wear time analysis, tested the validity of the AT, and completed two rounds of qualitative interviews to investigate how individual wear-time was linked to participant responses.ResultsFrom 1 year of tracking, mean number of valid wear days were 292 (SD = 86), i.e. 80%. The Polar M430 provides acceptable measurements for total energy expenditure. Motivations for increased wear time were that participants were asked to wear it and the ability to track PA progress. Perceived usefulness included time keeping, heart rate- and sleep tracking, becoming more conscious about day-to-day activity, and improved understanding of which activity types were more effective for energy expenditure. Sources of AT annoyance were measurement inaccuracies and limited instruction for use. Suggestions for improvement were that the AT was big, unattractive, and complicated to use.ConclusionsAdherence to wearing a consumer-based AT was high. Results indicate that it is feasible to use a consumer-based AT to measure PA over a longer period. Potential success factors for increased wear time includes adequate instruction for AT use, allowing participants to choose different AT designs, and using trackers with accurate measurements. To identify accurate trackers, AT validation studies in the target cohort may be needed.Trial registrationU.S. National Library of Medicine, Clinical Trial registry: NCT03807323; Registered 16 September 2019 – Retrospectively registered.

BackgroundSmartphone fitness apps are considered promising tools for promoting physical activity and health. However, it is unclear which user-perceived factors and app features encourage users to download apps with the intention of being physically active.ObjectiveBuilding on the second version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, this study aims to examine the association of the seven determinants of the second version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology with the app usage intentions of the individuals and their behavioral intentions of being physically active as well as the moderating effects of different smartphone fitness app features (ie, education, motivation, and gamification related) and individual differences (ie, age, gender, and experience) on these intentions.MethodsData from 839 US residents who reported having used at least one smartphone fitness app were collected via a web-based survey. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed, and path modeling was used to test the hypotheses and explore the influence of moderators on structural relationships.ResultsThe determinants explain 76% of the variance in the behavioral intention to use fitness apps. Habit (β=.42; P<.001), performance expectancy (β=.36; P<.001), facilitating conditions (β=.15; P<.001), price value (β=.13; P<.001), and effort expectancy (β=.09; P=.04) were positively related to behavioral intention to use fitness apps, whereas social influence and hedonic motivation were nonsignificant predictors. Behavioral intentions to use fitness apps were positively related to intentions of being physically active (β=.12; P<.001; R2=0.02). Education-related app features moderated the association between performance expectancy and habit and app usage intentions; motivation-related features moderated the association of performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, and habit with usage intentions; and gamification-related features moderated the association between hedonic motivation and usage intentions. Age moderated the association between effort expectancy and usage intentions, and gender moderated the association between performance expectancy and habit and usage intentions. User experience was a nonsignificant moderator. Follow-up tests were used to describe the nature of significant interaction effects.ConclusionsThis study identifies the drivers of the use of fitness apps. Smartphone app features should be designed to increase the likelihood of app usage, and hence physical activity, by supporting users in achieving their goals and facilitating habit formation. Target group–specific preferences for education-, motivation-, and gamification-related app features, as well as age and gender differences, should be considered. Performance expectancy had a high predictive power for intended usage for male (vs female) users who appreciated motivation-related features. Thus, apps targeting these user groups should focus on goal achievement–related features (eg, goal setting and monitoring). Future research could examine the mechanisms of these moderation effects and their long-term influence on physical activity.