Abstract
BackgroundModern lifestyle is associated with a high prevalence of physical inactivity.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of a wearable tracking device on cardiorespiratory fitness among inactive adults and to explore if personal characteristics and health outcomes can predict adoption of the device.MethodsIn total, 62 inactive adults were recruited for this study. A control period (4 weeks) was followed by an intervention period (8 weeks) where participants were instructed to register and follow their physical activity (PA) behavior on a wrist-worn tracking device. Data collected included estimated cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, blood pressure, perceived stress levels, and self-reported adoption of using the tracking device.ResultsIn total, 50 participants completed the study (mean age 48, SD 13 years, 84% women). Relative to the control period, participants increased cardiorespiratory fitness by 1.52 mL/kg/minute (95% CI 0.82-2.22; P<.001), self-reported PA by 140 minutes per week (95% CI 93.3-187.1; P<.001), daily step count by 982 (95% CI 492-1471; P<.001), and participants’ fat percentage decreased by 0.48% (95% CI –0.84 to –0.13; P=.009). No difference was observed in blood pressure (systolic: 95% CI –2.16 to 3.57, P=.63; diastolic: 95% CI –0.70 to 2.55; P=.27) or perceived stress (95% CI –0.86 to 1.78; P=.49). No associations were found between adoption of the wearable tracking device and age, gender, personality, or education. However, participants with a low perceived stress at baseline were more likely to rate the use of a wearable tracking device highly motivating.ConclusionsTracking health behavior using a wearable tracking device increases PA resulting in an improved cardiorespiratory fitness among inactive adults.
Highlights
In the Western world, physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are increasing and so are health-related problems and health care costs
The following health parameters were exported from the wearable tracking device (WTD): steps, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), active kilocalories, resting heart rate (HR), stress scores, and total sleep time
The incidence of COVID-19 cases increased during fall 2020, which led to gradual restrictions on physical training facilities and size of participation in teams sport and group exercises toward the end of the study period
Summary
62 inactive adults were recruited for this study. A control period (4 weeks) was followed by an intervention period (8 weeks) where participants were instructed to register and follow their physical activity (PA) behavior on a wrist-worn tracking device. Data collected included estimated cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, blood pressure, perceived stress levels, and self-reported adoption of using the tracking device
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