Mentor/s
Professor McLaughlin
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
There is an ever-present need to combat the growing prevalence of sedentary behaviors to prevent morbidity and mortality and smartwatches may be the solution. Consumer wearable activity trackers can act as a short-term intervention system that may create positive psychological experiences and increase exercise behavior changes to combat inactivity and sedentary lifestyles of adults worldwide. The trackers may be more effective for already healthy, physically active, and motivated adults, compared to sedentary, inactive adults, but it ultimately depends on the user’s characteristics such as openness to change. Research has shown the intervention with an activity tracker can increase physical activity levels such as steps and various intensities of activity which ultimately creates psychological benefits in users such as increases in physical thriving, autonomy, and self-esteem. The trackers cannot be guaranteed to be significantly effective psychologically or physically for every user, but they are an available, and convenient option that should be considered.
College and Major available
College of Health Professions, Exercise Science BS
Location
Digital Commons
Start Day/Time
5-5-2021 1:00 PM
End Day/Time
5-5-2021 4:00 PM
Prize Categories
Best Multidisciplinary Research or Collaboration, Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Most Meaningful
Utilizing Wearable Activity Trackers in the Intervention of Sedentary Lifestyles
Digital Commons
There is an ever-present need to combat the growing prevalence of sedentary behaviors to prevent morbidity and mortality and smartwatches may be the solution. Consumer wearable activity trackers can act as a short-term intervention system that may create positive psychological experiences and increase exercise behavior changes to combat inactivity and sedentary lifestyles of adults worldwide. The trackers may be more effective for already healthy, physically active, and motivated adults, compared to sedentary, inactive adults, but it ultimately depends on the user’s characteristics such as openness to change. Research has shown the intervention with an activity tracker can increase physical activity levels such as steps and various intensities of activity which ultimately creates psychological benefits in users such as increases in physical thriving, autonomy, and self-esteem. The trackers cannot be guaranteed to be significantly effective psychologically or physically for every user, but they are an available, and convenient option that should be considered.
Students' Information
Catherine Beckwith is an Exercise Science major, Honors minor, and is graduating in 2022.