Promoting physical activity among women using wearable technology and online social connectivity: a feasibility study

Wearable physical activity (PA) tracking technology, which has the capacity to connect users' PA data to online social networks, could address the need for cost-effective, scalable PA programs for women. It is not yet clear how to use wearable devices to maximize the effectiveness of evidence-based PA promotion techniques. There also is need to examine time-sensitive, within-person relationships between aspects of social networking and PA progress. The present study tested the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of an online PA program that employed wearable technology, an associated social network, and the assignment of program partners. Sedentary women (n = 20, M-Age = 50, M-BMI = 30.9 kg/m(2)) used wearable devices and attended one face-to-face session that introduced evidence-based PA promotion skills (e.g. goal setting). The remainder of the six-week program emphasized online communication with PA partners and other group members. Participants completed online surveys about their social contact at the end of every week. The recruitment target (set at 20) was reached after three weeks, and retention over six weeks was 100%. Objectively verified daily device wear was high (97%) and participant program ratings were favorable (e.g. M=3.85 of 5, SD = 1.04 for effectiveness). Participants showed large increases in daily steps (from 3796 [SE = 478] to 8190 [SE = 516]) and daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (from 12.68 [SE = 3.15] to 24.05 [SE = 3.48]). Multilevel models revealed meaningful within-person relationships between PA and social contact (ps < .02); PA was highest at times when social contact was higher than a participant's average level. Findings support the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of incorporating wearable technology and online social networking into an online PA program for women, and provide time-sensitive evidence that social networking is beneficial for PA. Consequently, larger, randomized trials of this approach are warranted.