Influencing people to walk more throughout the day is a common behavior change that is often promoted by physical activity researchers and health professionals. It seems that this may be attainable now more than ever with the advent and subsequent widespread use of wearable physical activity trackers, most notably brand name devices like Garmin, FitBit, and Apple Watch. Dr. Kelly Evenson has been on the forefront of researching this technology and applying it to increase the awareness of the need for, and practice of, regular participation in physical activity among the general population.
According to Dr. Evenson, 69% of U.S. adults track at least one health indicator on average, of which most is done mentally. Of course, a convenience of physical activity trackers includes the ability to monitor multiple measures of fitness. Five of the most common and useful health tracking measurements include number of steps, total distance, and level of physical activity achieved, energy expenditure, and sleep. The ideal device combines the aspects of being wearable, controllable, mobile, and enhancing of physical activity. However, above all else, Dr. Evenson stressed the need for devices to be proven to have both intra- and inter-device reliability and meet both construct and criterion validity. Dr. Evenson’s research is mostly focused on FitBit, and using the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, she has found that there are poor correlations between activity and body mass index regarding the use of FitBits. However, the technology is still very much in its infancy and has positive implications for use among cardiac rehabilitation patients.
As an aspiring strength and conditioning professional, I am highly intrigued by the use of physical activity trackers and their ability to monitor fitness among athletes and non-athletes alike. Catapult is a popular and successful Australian-based company leading the way in fitness monitoring through its partnerships with Australia’s Cooperative Research Centres and the Australian Institute of Sport. Combining the technologies of GPS tracking, accelerometers, video and statistical analysis, and computer-based software programs, Catapult is on the forefront of the application, prescription, and analysis of physical activity trackers.
Ultimately, I see a link to public health practice when I think about Catapult being utilized in research studies for the general population. If public health practitioners could partner with a company like Catapult, the results could be astounding. Researchers could have endless opportunities to validate and test Catapult products and their reliability in the general population, which could lead to even better physical activity and fitness practices and recommendations. Also, Catapult could create a market among the general population with the advent of new devices, increasing competition and supply-and-demand for wearable technology that would create greater access for the general population.
What do you think – Is there a viable connection between companies like Catapult and public health researchers and practitioners? Are physical activity trackers apart of the future of public health research? What kind of impact can physical activity tracking have on the general population?
Follow this link for more information on Catapult: https://www.catapultsports.com/