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 .
Activity Monitor Intervention to Promote Physical Activity of Physicians-In-Training: Randomized Controlled Trial
Background Physicians are expected to serve as role models for healthy lifestyles , but long work hours reduce time for healthy behaviors . A hospital-based physical activity intervention could improve physician health and increase counseling about exercise . Methods We conducted a two-phase intervention among 104 medical residents at a large hospital in Boston , Massachusetts . Phase 1 was a 6-week r and omized controlled trial comparing daily steps of residents assigned to an activity monitor displaying feedback about steps and energy consumed ( intervention ) or to a blinded monitor ( control ) . Phase 2 immediately followed and was a 6-week non-r and omized team steps competition in which all participants wore monitors with feedback . Phase 1 outcomes were : 1 ) median steps/day and 2 ) proportion of days activity monitor worn . The Phase 2 outcome was mean steps/day on days monitor worn ( ≥500 steps/day ) . Physiologic measurements were collected at baseline and study end . Median steps/day were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests . Mean steps were compared using repeated measures regression analyses . Results In Phase 1 , intervention and control groups had similar activity ( 6369 vs. 6063 steps/day , p = 0.16 ) and compliance with wearing the monitor ( 77 % vs. 77 % of days , p = 0.73 ) . In Phase 2 ( team competition ) , residents recorded more steps/day than during Phase 1 ( Control : 7,971 vs. 7,567 , p = 0.002 ; Intervention : 7,832 vs. 7,739 , p = 0.13 ) . Mean compliance with wearing the activity monitor decreased for both groups during Phase 2 compared to Phase 1 ( 60 % vs. 77 % , p<0.001 ) . Mean systolic blood pressure decreased ( p = 0.004 ) and HDL cholesterol increased ( p<0.001 ) among all participants at end of study compared to baseline . Conclusions Although the activity monitor intervention did not have a major impact on activity or health , the high participation rates of busy residents and modest changes in steps , blood pressure , and HDL suggest that more intensive hospital-based wellness programs have potential for promoting healthier lifestyles among physicians . Trial Registration Clinical trials.gov NCT01287208
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 .