Leveraging the Habit-forming Aspects of Technology to Increase Levels of Physical Activity

Abstract

The use of technology to promote physical activity has been rapidly gaining popularity as technological advances find ever-broadening applications. Though some technology aspects (i.e., on-screen video games) were for long perceived to be incompatible with efforts to diminish physical inactivity, evolving technology has made incorporating newer forms possible in physical activity settings. Professionals interested in physical activity continue to explore and embrace more technology applications with features that advance movement goals. For example, technologies such as the Striiv pedometers, which use virtual challenges and virtual rewards to make movement habitual, demonstrate how habit-forming technology could help to spur sustainable healthy levels of physical activity. This article proposes increased exploration and utilization of habit-forming technology features to encourage more physical activity time in and outside of the physical education classroom. It suggests deliberately seeking technologies with built-in virtual challenges and reward systems to help create and sustain robust physical activity habits necessary for health.