Effects of an Activity Tracker and App Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Whole Families—The Step It Up Family Feasibility Study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15501554
AutoresStephanie Schoeppe (0000-0003-1937-876X, Central Queensland University, autor de correspondencia), Jade Salmon (0000-0002-4734-6354, Deakin University), Jo Salmon (Deakin University), Susan L Williams (0000-0003-3665-923X, Central Queensland University), Deborah Power (0000-0002-5696-1973, Central Queensland University), Sean Alley (0000-0001-9666-5071, Central Queensland University), Amanda Rebar (0000-0003-3164-993X, Central Queensland University), Melanie Hayman (0000-0003-1469-3496, Central Queensland University), M J Duncan (0000-0002-9166-6195, University of Newcastle Australia), Corneel Vandelanotte (0000-0002-4445-8094, Central Queensland University)
Año2020
Volumen17
Número20
Páginas7655-7655
Fecha de publicación2020-10-20
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17207655
PMID33092219
OpenAlexW3093976410
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas33

(1) Background: Interventions using activity trackers and smartphone apps have demonstrated their ability to increase physical activity in children and adults. However, they have not been tested in whole families. Further, few family-centered interventions have actively involved both parents and assessed physical activity effects separately for children, mothers and fathers. Objective: To examine the feasibility and short-term effects of an activity tracker and app intervention to increase physical activity in the whole family (children, mothers and fathers). (2) Methods: This was a single-arm feasibility study with pre-post intervention measures. Between 2017-2018, 40 families (58 children aged 6-10 years, 39 mothers, 33 fathers) participated in the 6-week Step it Up Family program in Queensland, Australia. Using commercial activity trackers combined with apps (Garmin Vivofit Jr for children, Vivofit 3 for adults; Garmin Australasia Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia), the intervention included individual and family-level goal-setting, self-monitoring, performance feedback, family step challenges, family social support and modelling, weekly motivational text messages and an introductory session. Parent surveys were used to assess physical activity effects measured as pre-post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children, mothers and fathers. Objective Garmin activity tracker data was recorded to assess physical activity levels (steps, active minutes) during the intervention. (3) Results: Thirty-eight families completed the post intervention survey (95% retention). At post intervention, MVPA had increased in children by 58 min/day (boys: 54 min/day, girls: 62 min/day; all p p p p p p p SD ) number of active minutes per day in children was 82.1 (17.1). Further, the mean ( SD ) steps per day was 9590.7 (2425.3) in children, 7397.5 (1954.2) in mothers and 8161.7 (3370.3) in fathers. (4) Conclusions: Acknowledging the uncontrolled study design, the large pre-post changes in MVPA and rather high step counts recorded during the intervention suggest that an activity tracker and app intervention can increase physical activity in whole families. The Step it Up Family program warrants further efficacy testing in a larger, randomized controlled trial

Activity tracker · Intervention (counseling · Physical activity · Physical medicine and rehabilitation · Psychiatry · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology · Gerontology