Abstract
IntroductionAround 23% of adults worldwide are insufficiently active. Wearable devices paired with virtual coaching software could increase physical activity. The effectiveness of 3 minimal contact interventions (paper-based physical activity diaries, activity trackers, and activity trackers coupled with virtual coaching) in increasing physical activity energy expenditure and cardiorespiratory fitness were compared over 12 weeks among inactive adults.MethodsThis was an open label, parallel-group RCT. Inactive adults (aged ≥18 years, N=488) were randomized to no intervention (Control; n=121), paper-based diary (Diary; n=124), activity tracker (Activity Band; n=122), or activity tracker plus virtual coaching (Activity Band PLUS; n=121) groups. Coprimary outcomes included 12-week changes in physical activity energy expenditure and fitness (May 2012–January 2014). Analyses were conducted in 2019–2020.ResultsThere were no differences between groups overall (physical activity energy expenditure: p=0.114, fitness: p=0.417). However, there was a greater increase in physical activity energy expenditure (4.21 kJ/kg/day, 95% CI=0.42, 8.00) in the Activity Band PLUS group than in the Diary group. There were also greater decreases in BMI and body fat percentage in the Activity Band PLUS group than in the Control group (BMI= −0.24 kg/m2, 95% CI= −0.45, −0.03; body fat= −0.48%, 95% CI= −0.88, −0.08) and in theActivity Band PLUS group than in the Diary group (BMI= −0.30 kg/m2, 95% CI= −0.50, −0.09; body fat= −0.57%, 95% CI= −0.97, −0.17).ConclusionsCoupling activity trackers with virtual coaching may facilitate increases in physical activity energy expenditure compared with a traditional paper‒based physical activity diary intervention and improve some secondary outcomes compared with a traditional paper‒based physical activity diary intervention or no intervention.Trial registrationThis study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov ISRCTN31844443.
Highlights
Around 23% of adults worldwide are insufficiently active
It remains unclear whether these benefits extend to objective measures of physical activity (PA) energy expenditure (PAEE) and cardiorespiratory fitness, both of which have been linked to a decreased risk of premature mortality.[19−21] Identifying effective, scalable, and cost-effective strategies for increasing PAEE and fitness would strengthen the rationale for their use in clinical and public health settings
The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 minimal contact interventions on objectively assessed PAEE and cardiorespiratory fitness
Summary
Around 23% of adults worldwide are insufficiently active. Wearable devices paired with virtual coaching software could increase physical activity. Wearable devices are rapidly advancing technologies that could facilitate increases in PA.[8−10] Worldwide, 71 million smartwatches were sold in 2018.11 This number is expected to reach 140 million by 2022.11 Activity tracking interventions provide individualized feedback and are easier to implement and more scalable than traditional behavioral interventions (e.g., support groups).[12] There is some evidence that trackers may help adults increase PA13−16 and lose body mass.[17,18] It remains unclear whether trackers used in conjunction with virtual coaching are better than trackers used alone and how these compare with more traditional interventions It remains unclear whether these benefits extend to objective measures of PA energy expenditure (PAEE) and cardiorespiratory fitness, both of which have been linked to a decreased risk of premature mortality.[19−21] Identifying effective, scalable, and cost-effective strategies for increasing PAEE and fitness would strengthen the rationale for their use in clinical and public health settings
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