A Comparison of a Smartphone App and a Wrist-Worn Fitness Tracker for Self-monitoring of Physical Activity by Older and Younger Users

Rebekka Kupffer; Melanie Wutzler; Josef Krems; Georg Jahn

Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good. Third International Conference, GOODTECHS 2017, Pisa, Italy, November 29-30, 2017, Proceedings

Research Article

A Comparison of a Smartphone App and a Wrist-Worn Fitness Tracker for Self-monitoring of Physical Activity by Older and Younger Users

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@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-319-76111-4_33,
    author={Rebekka Kupffer and Melanie Wutzler and Josef Krems and Georg Jahn},
    title={A Comparison of a Smartphone App and a Wrist-Worn Fitness Tracker for Self-monitoring of Physical Activity by Older and Younger Users},
    proceedings={Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good. Third International Conference, GOODTECHS 2017, Pisa, Italy, November 29-30, 2017, Proceedings},
    proceedings_a={GOODTECHS},
    year={2018},
    month={3},
    keywords={Mobile health Wearables Quantifying self Behavior change Pedometer app Accelerometry},
    doi={10.1007/978-3-319-76111-4_33}
}

Rebekka Kupffer
Melanie Wutzler
Josef Krems
Georg Jahn
Year: 2018
A Comparison of a Smartphone App and a Wrist-Worn Fitness Tracker for Self-monitoring of Physical Activity by Older and Younger Users
GOODTECHS
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-76111-4_33

Rebekka Kupffer¹^,*, Melanie Wutzler¹^,*, Josef Krems¹^,*, Georg Jahn¹^,*

1: Chemnitz University of Technology

*Contact email: rebekka.kupffer@s2014.tu-chemnitz.de, melanie.wutzler@s2014.tu-chemnitz.de, josef.krems@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de, georg.jahn@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de

Abstract

Wearables capable of monitoring steps are important elements of behavior change interventions to increase physical activity. For intervention studies, there is currently the choice between smartphone apps and fitness trackers for self-monitoring daily steps. We report results from a pilot study, in which younger and older participants experienced both types of devices, rated usability, and performed usability tasks. The fitness tracker, which was operated with a single touch-sensitive button, proved advantageous in subjective and objective usability. The discussion includes further aspects of the choice between smartphone apps and fitness trackers for use in interventions.

Keywords: Mobile health Wearables Quantifying self Behavior change Pedometer app Accelerometry

Published: 2018-03-08
Appears in: SpringerLink

: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76111-4_33