Promoting physical activity among women using wearable technology and online social connectivity: a feasibility study

Abstract

Wearable physical activity (PA) tracking technology, which has the capacity to connect users’ PA data to online social networks, could address the need for cost-effective, scalable PA programs for women. It is not yet clear how to use wearable devices to maximize the effectiveness of evidence-based PA promotion techniques. There also is need to examine time-sensitive, within-person relationships between aspects of social networking and PA progress. The present study tested the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of an online PA program that employed wearable technology, an associated social network, and the assignment of program partners. Sedentary women (n = 20, M_Age = 50, M_BMI = 30.9 kg/m²) used wearable devices and attended one face-to-face session that introduced evidence-based PA promotion skills (e.g. goal setting). The remainder of the six-week program emphasized online communication with PA partners and other group members. Participants completed online surveys about their social contact at the end of every week. The recruitment target (set at 20) was reached after three weeks, and retention over six weeks was 100%. Objectively verified daily device wear was high (97%) and participant program ratings were favorable (e.g. M = 3.85 of 5, SD = 1.04 for “effectiveness”). Participants showed large increases in daily steps (from 3796 [SE = 478] to 8190 [SE = 516]) and daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (from 12.68 [SE = 3.15] to 24.05 [SE = 3.48]). Multilevel models revealed meaningful within-person relationships between PA and social contact (ps < .02); PA was highest at times when social contact was higher than a participant's average level. Findings support the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of incorporating wearable technology and online social networking into an online PA program for women, and provide time-sensitive evidence that social networking is beneficial for PA. Consequently, larger, randomized trials of this approach are warranted.

Keywords:

• wearable technology
• physical activity
• eHealth
• women's health
• social support

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Dr Kyle Haggerty, Dr Jacqueline Mogle, and Ms Leah Schumacher for their feedback on previous versions of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. During the initial interview, participants were asked whether they had ideas about the type of partner who might be helpful to them. This discussion was designed to introduce the importance of identifying and clearly communicating one's goals and desired type(s) of support, rather than to inform pairings. Of note, six university-affiliated participants expressed desire for a partner who could appreciate time limitations as a key barrier to PA, given that the program was offered at the busiest time of the semester (i.e. the last six weeks of Spring 2015). As this was the case for all university-affiliated participants (and most noted time as a barrier in other areas of the discussion), it was considered addressed by matching on university affiliation.

2. PA was assessed using the wearable sensor (only) for several reasons. Given the study's emphasis on weekly PA variability and within-week relations between PA and social contact, participants would have had to wear an additional device during all days of the study, which did not seem feasible. Also, compliance with the FitBit^® was of interest, adding a device might have interfered with compliance. Finally, accumulating evidence suggests that FitBit^® shows similar PA records to those of accelerometers and other devices; as the FitBit^® is more clinically useful (i.e. FitBit^® provides immediate feedback, whereas accelerometers do not), we chose to limit to this device, similar to methods for pedometer-based studies (cf. Chan, Ryan, & Tudor-Locke, 2004).

3. The timing of the program was intentional, and designed to provide PA assistance when participants would be most in need (vs. at times when they experienced fewer challenges).