Ogden, Connor

Activity Trackers: Are They the Answer

Faculty mentor: Neil Peterson, college of nursing

Introduction

Physical inactivity in young adults leads to a 40% greater chance of cancer mortality,
50% greater risk of dementia, 60% greater risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and a
number of other health related issues1. In our country in which sedentary jobs have
increased by 83% since 1950, and 69%2 of all adults are obese or overweight, these
health related factors due to inactivity become a real concern. Many companies have
created these activity trackers as a solution to solving physical inactivity. The purpose of
this project was to evaluate what aspects of the Microsoft Band that young adults felt
they liked, disliked, and to what degree they motivated an active lifestyle.

Methodology

To conduct the research, 20 young adults, with no inhibiting physical or medical
condition, wore a research grade accelerometer (GT3X+) for a week to get their baseline
activity. The following week the participant then wore the accelerometer as well as the
Microsoft Band and recorded daily activity levels such as steps and calories burned. At
the end of the week the participant used a 10-poitnt Likert scale to rate how they liked the
hardware and app, as well as how motivating the hardware and app were in promoting
physical activity.

Results

The quantitative data to determine whether physical activity was increased from week
one with the participant just wearing the accelerometer to week 2 with the participant
wearing the Microsoft Band is still in progress. However, we were able to look at the
responses to the questionnaire to determine how motivating the participants felt the
Microsoft Band was to them as well as what they liked and disliked. We calculated a
mean score of 6.67 out of 10 for hardware motivation and 5.22 for app motivation of the
Microsoft Band. Most of the responses we got back about the physical watch were
positive and the participants seemed to like wearing the watch and using the exercise
applications of it.

Discussion

Based on the results it appears that the Microsoft Band did have some impact in
motivating the user to perform more physical activity. However, until the quantitative
data is complete we will not completely understand to what extent that was. Based on
responses it does appear that what’s most appealing to users is the trendiness of the watch
and the different features it has such as receiving text messages. But by just wearing the
watch, whatever the reason may be, is a constant reminder to work toward the physical
activity goals the user has set. And the ability to track those activity levels is a
motivating factor in itself.

Conclusion

To get a complete understanding of whether activity trackers are the answer to the nations
growing problem of obesity, we are continuing the research to go from 20 participants to
at least 50 in order to have greater power with our results. For now we can say that the
Microsoft Band is a motivating tool in promoting physical activity.

1 .”Sedentary Lifestyle Is Dangerous to Your Health : NCHPAD – Building Inclusive Communities.”
National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD). N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.
2 “The Price of Inactivity.” The Price of Inactivity. N.p., 1 Jan. 2105. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.