Emerging Technologies,

Physical Activity, and HealthUsing Wearable and Sensor Devices to Increase Physical Activity and Wellness

Physical Activity and Health Risk Factors

Exercise as a preventive measure has been linked to reduced incidence of chronic

disease (cardiovascular-related death, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis,

Exercise as secondary prevention has been shown to benefit individuals already

diagnosed with illnesses

Exercise and Morbidity

Figure 1. Relative risks of death from any cause among participants with various risk factors as

compared with participants whose exercise capacity was more than 8 METs.

The Health Benefits of Physical Activity

Exercise improves body composition (reduced adiposity, increased musculature),

increases insulin sensitivity, increases HDL/lowers LDL, reduces blood pressure,

improves cardiovascular function

Exercise may also lead to reductions in C-reactive protein levels, thereby reducing

chronic inflammation

Laziness Quantified

About 21% of adults meet the CDC Physical Activity Guidelines of 150 min/week

moderate aerobic activity

Less than 30% of high school students get at least 60 minutes of physical activity

every day

Inactive adults have a higher risk for early death, heart disease, stroke, type 2

diabetes, depression, and some cancers

Prevention is the key!!!

Self-Quantification and Technology as

Health Tools

Preliminary results from a study of the impact of

digital activity trackers on health risk status

Activity tracking devices can support improving physical activity levels and

consequently reduce diabetes risk factors.

Rower-Roberts, D., Cercos, R., Mueller, F. (2014). Preliminary results from a study of the impact of digital activity trackers on

health risk status. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 204, 143-148.

Purpose and Methods

Purpose: To explore the opportunities for using digital activity tracking devices as a

central feature of participatory ehealth programs.

Methods:

212 employees of an Australian healthcare organization

7 month field period

Participants were provided with Fitbit Ultra devices to track their activity

Participants’ health risk status at commencement and completion was assessed

via the Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK)

Participants were separated into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups

Two participant experience surveys, three focus groups

AUSDRISK Assessment

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/diabetesRiskAssessmentTool

Results

● 23% of participants reduced

their AUSDRISK score

Results (continued)

● Participants with high-risk

scores at commencement were

the most motivated to increase

activity levels and had the

highest

Conclusion

● Data suggests that activity tracking devices can support

improving physical activity levels and consequently reduce type

2 diabetes risk

● Devices were most effective in participants with higher risk

factors

● Activity tracking devices could be useful as physical activity

and health risk intervention tools

Limitations of Study

● Sample may not be representative of population

● Did not have pre-intervention step data

● Selection bias--participants volunteered to participate

Adherent Use of Digital Health Trackers Is

Associated with Weight Loss

Adherence to activity tracking can be utilized as a convenient real-time predictor of

weight fluctuations, enabling large-scale, personalized intervention strategies.

Pourzanjani, A., Quisel, T., Foschini, L. (2016). Adherent Use of Digital Health Trackers is Associated with Weight Loss. PLOS ONE, 11

(4), 1-14.

Purpose and Methods

● Purpose: To study the association between weight fluctuation and activity

tracking an online population of individuals using digital health trackers

● Methods:

○ Sampled a subset of AchieveMint users

○ Analyzed (primary and secondary analyses) user weight measurements,

food logging, and workout logging

Results

● Positive association between higher average

logging frequency and average weight loss

(across both genders)

● Greater weight change during adherent periods

than non-adherent

Conclusion

● Users who track activities frequently on average tend to lose more weight than their

peers who track activities less frequently

● When an individual increases their adherence to tracking they are more likely to

lose or maintain their weight

● Data collected from activity trackers can inform real-time interventions

● The successful potential benefit of digital health technologies depends on

penetration and adoption, as well as on the design of personal engagement strategies

Using and electronic activity monitor system as

an intervention modality: A systematic review

Preliminary evidence suggests that electronic activity monitoring systems can

increase physical activity and decrease weight significantly, but their efficacy

compared to other interventions has not yet been demonstrated.

Zakkoyya, L. H., Lyons, E. J., Jarvis, J. M., Baillargeon, J. Using an electronic activity monitor system as an intervention modality: A

systematic review. BMC Public Health, 15 (585), 1-15.

Purpose and Methods

● Purpose: To synthesize the efficacy and feasibility results of

electronic activity monitoring systems within published

physical activity interventions

● Method:

○ Sampled 1,574 articles

○ Filtered out all but 11

○ Reviewed articles for quality and content

Results

● Significant pre-post improvements in the electronic activity monitor systems

group were found in 5 of 9 studies for physical activity and 4 of 5 studies for

weight

● 1 found a significant increase in physical activity and 2 studies found

significant weight loss in the intervention group compared to the control

● Electronic activity monitor systems appear to be feasible with most studies

reporting continual wear of the device during waking hours

Conclusion

● Activity tracking devices in the reviewed studies demonstrated the ability to

increase physical activity and decrease weight

● Reported effect sizes suggest potentially clinically significant outcomes

● Further research is needed

Limitations

Fairly new technology that still needs much investigation and critical inquiry

Technology advances faster than it can be studied

Measurement validity and reliability still a question for most consumer-grade

devices

Practical Implications

Enable lay people develop their physical activity/weight loss interventions

Increase physical activity and reduce chronic disease risk

Promote preventive care approach

Fun w/ Physical Activity and Health Data

Fun w/ Physical Activity and Health Data (Continued)

References

Warburton, D. E. R., Nicol, C. W., Bredin, S. S. D. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence.

CMAJ, 174 (6), 801-809.

Warburton, D. E. R., Nicol, C. W., Bredin, S. S. D. (2006). Prescribing exercise as preventive therapy. CMAJ,

174 (7), 801-809.

Rowe-Roberts, D., Cercos, R., Mueller, F. (2014). Preliminary results from a study of the impact of digital

activity trackers on health risk status. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 204, 143-148.

Pourzanjani, A., Quisel, T., Foschini, L. (2016). Adherent Use of Digital Health Trackers Is Associated with

Weight Loss. PLOS ONE, 11 (4), 1-14.

Zakkoyya, H. L., Lyons, E. J., Jarvis, J. M., Baillargeon, J. (2015). Using an electronic activity monitor system

as an intervention modality: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 15 (585), 1-15.

Keep Moving!!!