The Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Wearable Activity Trackers for Increasing Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Amy V. Creaser, Stacy A. Clemes, Silvia Costa, Jennifer Hall, Nicola D. Ridgers, Sally E. Barber and Daniel D. Bingham
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Amy V. Creaser: School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Stacy A. Clemes: School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Silvia Costa: School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Jennifer Hall: Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
Nicola D. Ridgers: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong 3125, Australia
Sally E. Barber: Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK
Daniel D. Bingham: Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-28

Abstract: Wearable activity trackers (wearables) embed numerous behaviour change techniques (BCTs) that have previously been shown to increase adult physical activity (PA). With few children and adolescents achieving PA guidelines, it is crucial to explore ways to increase their PA. This systematic review examined the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of wearables and their potential mechanisms of action for increasing PA in 5 to 19-year-olds. A systematic search of six databases was conducted, including data from the start date of each database to December 2019 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42020164506). Thirty-three studies were included. Most studies (70%) included only adolescents (10 to 19 years). There was some—but largely mixed—evidence that wearables increase steps and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA and reduce sedentary behaviour. There were no apparent differences in effectiveness based on the number of BCTs used and between studies using a wearable alone or as part of a multi-component intervention. Qualitative findings suggested wearables increased motivation to be physically active via self-monitoring, goal setting, feedback, and competition. However, children and adolescents reported technical difficulties and a novelty effect when using wearables, which may impact wearables’ long-term use. More rigorous and long-term studies investigating the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of wearables in 5 to 19-year-olds are warranted.

Keywords: physical activity; systematic review; feasibility; interventions; wearable activity trackers; children; adolescents (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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