This document discusses the health benefits of physical activity and emerging technologies that can help increase physical activity levels. It summarizes research showing that regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. Studies found that activity tracking devices can significantly increase physical activity and decrease weight, especially for those at higher risk. Adherence to tracking was associated with greater weight loss. While promising, more research is still needed to establish the efficacy of tracking technologies compared to other interventions and ensure valid measurement from consumer devices. Overall, the evidence suggests technology-based tools have potential to promote preventative healthcare through physical activity.

1. Emerging Technologies,
Physical Activity, and Health
Using Wearable and Sensor Devices to Increase Physical Activity and Wellness

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. Prevention is the key!!!

7. Self-Quantification and Technology as
Health Tools

8. 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.

9. 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

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

11. Results
● 23% of participants reduced
their AUSDRISK score

12. Results (continued)
● Participants with high-risk
scores at commencement were
the most motivated to increase
activity levels and had the
highest

13. 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

14. Limitations of Study
● Sample may not be representative of population
● Did not have pre-intervention step data
● Selection bias--participants volunteered to participate

15. 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.

16. 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

17. Results
● Positive association between higher average
logging frequency and average weight loss
(across both genders)
● Greater weight change during adherent periods
than non-adherent

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Practical Implications
Enable lay people develop their physical activity/weight loss interventions
Increase physical activity and reduce chronic disease risk
Promote preventive care approach

25. Fun w/ Physical Activity and Health Data

26. Fun w/ Physical Activity and Health Data (Continued)

28. 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

29. Keep Moving!!!