CONCLUSIONS Utilizing a consumer-based wearable activity tracker as either the primary component of an intervention or as part of a broader physical activity intervention has the potential to increase physical activity participation .
BACKGROUND The range of benefits associated with regular physical activity participation is irrefutable .
Despite the well-known benefits , physical inactivity remains one of the major contributing factors to ill-health throughout industrialized countries .
Traditional lifestyle interventions such as group education or telephone counseling are effective at increasing physical activity participation ; however , physical activity levels tend to decline over time .
Consumer-based wearable activity trackers that allow users to objective ly monitor activity levels are now widely available and may offer an alternative method for assisting individuals to remain physically active .
OBJECTIVE This review aim ed to determine the effects of interventions utilizing consumer-based wearable activity trackers on physical activity participation and sedentary behavior when compared with interventions that do not utilize activity tracker feedback .
Promoting weight loss through diet and exercise in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors (InForma): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Background Most women with breast cancer experience a progressive weight gain during and after treatment . Obesity is associated with an increased risk of recurrence , contralateral breast cancer , and death . Physical activity after cancer diagnosis has been reported to have positive effects on body composition and quality of life . We present the protocol of the InForma study , a trial testing the efficacy of an intervention on weight loss ( ≥5 % of the baseline body weight ) in a group of overweight or obese breast cancer survivors . Methods / design This is a four-arm r and omized controlled trial . Patients will receive a 6-month intervention and be followed for a further 18 months . Intervention is design ed to improve adherence to a healthy diet and /or to increase physical activity , taking advantage of a wrist-based activity monitor .  Participants will be recruited among overweight or obese breast cancer patients treated at the European Institute of Oncology , after completion of eventual adjuvant chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy . It is envisaged that 260 patients will be r and omized into four arms : Dietary Intervention ; Physical Activity Intervention ; Physical Activity and Dietary Intervention ; and Less Intensive Intervention . Women will be offered individualized counseling consisting of face-to face discussion and phone calls in addition to group meetings . A motivational interviewing approach will be used to encourage health behavior change . All participants will be given a pedometer device to monitor their physical activity . Participants ’ dietary intake will be repeatedly assessed using a vali date d food frequency question naire . Participants ’ quality of life and anxiety will be assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory question naires . Blood sample s will be collected at baseline and follow-up visits to assess lipid and hormone profiles . Body composition will be repeatedly assessed using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis for identifying changes of fat and fat-free mass . Women allocated to the less intensive intervention arm will be considered as the control group . Discussion While there is a rising concern about the role of obesity in cancer recurrence and survival , this trial with its multi-arm design , motivational approach and use of a pedometer device will provide important insights regarding the most effective approach in promoting weight control in breast cancer survivors . Trial registration IS RCT N53325751 ( registration date : 16 October 2015 ) ; Clinical Trials.gov NCT02622711 ( registration date : 2 December 2015 )
CONCLUSIONS Utilizing a consumer-based wearable activity tracker as either the primary component of an intervention or as part of a broader physical activity intervention has the potential to increase physical activity participation .
BACKGROUND The range of benefits associated with regular physical activity participation is irrefutable .
Despite the well-known benefits , physical inactivity remains one of the major contributing factors to ill-health throughout industrialized countries .
Traditional lifestyle interventions such as group education or telephone counseling are effective at increasing physical activity participation ; however , physical activity levels tend to decline over time .
Consumer-based wearable activity trackers that allow users to objective ly monitor activity levels are now widely available and may offer an alternative method for assisting individuals to remain physically active .
OBJECTIVE This review aim ed to determine the effects of interventions utilizing consumer-based wearable activity trackers on physical activity participation and sedentary behavior when compared with interventions that do not utilize activity tracker feedback .