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 .
The Impact of Different Degrees of Feedback on Physical Activity Levels: A 4-Week Intervention Study
Assessing levels of  physical activity ( PA ) and providing feedback about these levels might have an effect on participant ’s PA behavior . This study discusses the effect of different levels of feedback — from minimal to use of a feedback display and coach — on PA over a 4-week intervention period . PA was measured at baseline , during and immediately after the intervention . Participants ( n = 227 ) were r and omly assigned to a Minimal Intervention Group ( MIG-no feedback ) , Pedometer Group ( PG-feedback on steps taken ) , Display Group ( DG-feedback on steps , minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity and energy expenditure ) or Coaching Group ( CoachG-same as DG with need-supportive coaching ) . Two-way ANCOVA showed no significant Group × Time interaction effect for the different PA variables between the MIG and PG . Also no differences emerged between PG and DG . As hypothesized , CoachG had higher PA values throughout the intervention compared with DG . Self-monitoring using a pedometer result ed in more steps compared with a no-feedback condition at the start of the intervention . However , adding individualized coaching seems necessary to increase the PA level until the end of the intervention
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 .