How the Forgotten Demographic Responds to Wearable Activity Sensors in a Community Intervention
Abstract
Physical activity has been linked to a reduction in chronic diseases and lasting health benefits. Even with all of these known benefits there are still many individuals who do not even achieve the minimum amount of recommended physical activity. Interventions have tried to address this concern and have focused on children, teens, and older adults (65+) leaving the middle age demographic predominately unstudied. Researchers have recently turned to wearable activity sensors as a way to more accurately and objectively measure physical activity in interventions. As the use of these sensors is new, so is their use in middle aged physical activity interventions. Therefore the purpose of this study is to explore the difference in response to feedback from wearable technology worn as part of a community physical activity intervention. It is hypothesized that novice exercisers will have an increase in their physical activity level above those who were regularly exercising before the GM study began. It is also hypothesized that the response to feedback from wearable technology will differ between men and women, and decrease with age. Methods: Middle aged adults in Cache County were enrolled in the Gray Matters Alzheimer's prevention study were surveyed about their physical activity levels across the 6 month intervention. They were also given a Nike+ FuelBand and asked to report their FuelPoints nightly on a smart phone application. Data was collected and analyzed using a mixed linear model. Findings are still in the process of being analyzed. Hopefully there is a significant effect.
How the Forgotten Demographic Responds to Wearable Activity Sensors in a Community Intervention
Physical activity has been linked to a reduction in chronic diseases and lasting health benefits. Even with all of these known benefits there are still many individuals who do not even achieve the minimum amount of recommended physical activity. Interventions have tried to address this concern and have focused on children, teens, and older adults (65+) leaving the middle age demographic predominately unstudied. Researchers have recently turned to wearable activity sensors as a way to more accurately and objectively measure physical activity in interventions. As the use of these sensors is new, so is their use in middle aged physical activity interventions. Therefore the purpose of this study is to explore the difference in response to feedback from wearable technology worn as part of a community physical activity intervention. It is hypothesized that novice exercisers will have an increase in their physical activity level above those who were regularly exercising before the GM study began. It is also hypothesized that the response to feedback from wearable technology will differ between men and women, and decrease with age. Methods: Middle aged adults in Cache County were enrolled in the Gray Matters Alzheimer's prevention study were surveyed about their physical activity levels across the 6 month intervention. They were also given a Nike+ FuelBand and asked to report their FuelPoints nightly on a smart phone application. Data was collected and analyzed using a mixed linear model. Findings are still in the process of being analyzed. Hopefully there is a significant effect.