Self-monitoring physical activity matters, according to smartwatch study

Medical Xpress March 8, 2023
By Aaron Wagner, Pennsylvania State University

By the start of 2023, hundreds of millions of fitness trackers like Fitbits or Apple Watches had been sold to people who wanted to become or remain healthy. Many consumers rely on the step counts and activity tracking provided by these devices to help them increase their physical activity levels. Users may be more motivated to become physically active when these devices ask wearers to self-monitor their activity through on-screen prompts instead of simply supplying step counts and activity tracking, according to new research from Penn State.

In a new study published in the journal Health Psychology, 58 physically inactive young adults wore fitness tracking smartwatches for three months and were assigned goals to increase their activity levels.

Each day,...

Today's Sponsors

Today's Sponsor