Effect of anAutomatic Physical Activity Detection & Feedback System in PromotingExercise Compliance of a Virtual Trainer Project

Abstract

With advances in smartphone technology, automatic physical activity (PA) detection and feedback applications that integrate with movement measuring devices (such as smartphone apps and heart rate watches) have become widely available and popularized. However, it is not known whether such automatic systems provide any additional advantage in motivating exercise compliance compared to traditional self-report systems. PURPOSE: To investigate if the integration of an automatic PA detection and feedback system provides any additional advantage in motivating exercise compliance as compared to a traditional self-report PA system. METHOD: We developed a Virtual Trainer (VT) exercise promotion project that encourages exercise compliance via a website and a smartphone application. A total of 119 inactive adults entered a randomized control trial under one of the following three conditions: 1.) VT with a heart rate watch that allows automatic PA detection and feedback, or 2.) VT with self-reported PA record, or 3.) no VT (control) with self-reported PA participation. Exercise compliance data were retrieved from the VT PA record and a PA questionnaire (IPAQ) was collected at pre-, post-, and 3-months after intervention (maintenance). RESULTS: All three groups improved PA compliance significantly (p< .01), although a slight drop at maintenance was observed. Two- way repeated measured ANCOVA (age & gender as covariates) found significant time effects (p< .01) but no interaction effect (p> .05). The IPAQ revealed that PA compliance in both VT conditions improved by more than double after intervention. Changes in exercise compliance between the three conditions were not different. CONCLUSION: In a web-based + smartphone app interactive exercise promotion program that promotes self-management of regular exercise training, the inclusion of an automatic physical activity detection and feedback system did not bring additional benefits compared to a traditional self-reported PA recording system.