The relationship between fitness app use and physical activity behavior is mediated by exercise identity

Barkley, Jacob E.; Lepp, Andrew; Santo, Antonio S.; Glickman, Ellen L.; Dowdell, Bryan

doi:10.1016/j.chb.2020.106313

Cited by 47 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Looking at other studies, there is evidence of increased sitting due to governmental epidemic-control-decisions [ 11 , 13 ]. However, the effects upon physical activity are not uniform, with some individuals decreasing their physical activity while others increased their activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outdoor cycling activity affected by COVID-19 related epidemic-control-decisions

et al. 2021

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Aim The lockdown of sports infrastructure due to the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially shifted people’s physical activity towards public green spaces. With Germany’s lockdown as one of the more severe governmentally imposed epidemic-control-decisions, we tested to what extent the frequency of outdoor cycling activities changed from March to June 2020. Methods User behaviour and frequency in 15 urban and 7 rural German public green spaces was quantified using cycling data from the fitness application Strava. Changes in cycling activities were analysed with four different generalised linear models, correcting for factors like weather conditions and temporal changes in the user base of the fitness application. Results We found a clear increase in outdoor cycling sport activities in urban public green spaces in response to epidemic-control decisions (e.g. increase by 81% in April relative to the expected value (95% CI [48%, 110%])). In contrast, biking in rural areas showed no significant change with epidemic-control-decisions in place. Conclusion Fitness App data, e.g. from Strava, can be used to monitor visitor behaviour and frequency. The increase in outdoor cycling activities during epidemic control decisions likely reflects a shift of sport activities from indoor and team sports to outdoor and individual sports. This highlights the importance of accessible green space for maintaining physical fitness and health. Beyond this shift, it is likely that outdoor activities may be of particularly importance for stress relief in times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outdoor cycling activity affected by COVID-19 related epidemic-control-decisions

et al. 2021

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“…Work from our group also suggested that using activity monitoring technology aids in the maintenance of physical activity behavior in women [ 34 ]. However, there is conflicting evidence that suggests the use of activity monitoring may simply be a marker for an elevated exercise identity and that this technology does not provide any benefit as part of an intervention designed to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behavior [ 35 , 36 ]. Therefore, evidence examining the benefits of using physical activity monitoring technology is equivocal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present study hypothesized that there will be significant decreases in physical activity and increases in sedentary behavior and bodyweight from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Additionally, while there is some evidence supporting the utility of physical activity monitoring for promoting physical activity, others have indicated that such technology does not aid in this regard [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 ]. Therefore, we hypothesize that the use of physical activity monitoring technology will not moderate the effects of the pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Activity Monitoring on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Body Weight during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Barkley

Farnell

Boyko

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Decreases in individuals’ physical activity and increases in sedentary behavior and bodyweight have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study assessed the ability of physical activity monitoring, which may promote physical activity and discourage sedentary behavior, to mitigate these negative outcomes. An evaluation of university samples (N = 404, 40.5 ± 15.4 years) of self-reported physical activity, sedentary behavior, and bodyweight prior to the closure of campus due to the pandemic in March of 2020 and again at the time of the survey administration (May–June 2020) during pandemic-related restrictions was performed. Participants also reported whether they did (n = 172) or did not (n = 232) regularly use physical activity monitoring technology. While physical activity was unchanged during the pandemic (p ≥ 0.15), participants significantly increased sitting by 67.8 ± 156.6 min/day and gained 0.64 ± 3.5 kg from pre-campus to post-campus closure (p < 0.001). However, the use of activity monitoring did not moderate these changes. In conclusion, while physical activity was not affected, participants reported significant increases in sedentary behavior and bodyweight during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes occurred regardless of whether participants regularly used physical activity monitoring or not.

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“…Its use on smartphones improves these contents, especially when integrated with technologies such as heart monitor, smart sports wristbands, GPS, smartwatches, sensors, gyroscope and accelerometer. 10 Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a framework capable of monitoring and enabling the analysis of users' behavior on Facebook, 11 who use these type of technology, in order to define their Standard Behavior Pattern. 3,8,9,12,13 This analysis was carried out by monitoring the practice of shared physical activities on social media.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19 The third reason is that the regular practice of physical activities can be perceived as a health issue. 11,19,[21][22][23][24][25][26] Finally, we must consider the way of motivating and maintaining the practice of physical exercises, including tools to set up a safety and healthy exercise program. 28…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity Level of Facebook Users

Júnior

Ribeiro

Daquer

et al. 2020

Rev Bras Med Esporte

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Introduction: Interactions of Facebook users led to a study of the influence that users can exert on behavioral changes for a healthier life. Objective: To analyze the behavior of Facebook users in order to define the Users' Behavioral Patterns, by monitoring the practice of physical activities shared online, aided by a social competition among users, with the aim of combating sedentarism through the modern attraction of technology and gamification. Methods: A computational tool was developed to extract data from physical activity shared online. The tool, named FitRank, has permissions to access users' data. Tables and classifications were generated based on an analysis of the data in the database, using decision tree algorithms and descriptive statistical analysis. Results: users were classified according to sociodemographic data, and data on the creation of competitive rankings and the practice of physical activities, including the definition of the User's Behavioral Pattern. Conclusion: The study suggested the importance of technological innovations to combat sedentarism, in line with current social entertainment technologies to make them more enjoyable and motivating for the regular practice of physical activities and to provide a better quality of life. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective study.

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The relationship between fitness app use and physical activity behavior is mediated by exercise identity

Cited by 47 publications

References 42 publications

Outdoor cycling activity affected by COVID-19 related epidemic-control-decisions

Outdoor cycling activity affected by COVID-19 related epidemic-control-decisions

Impact of Activity Monitoring on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Body Weight during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Physical Activity Level of Facebook Users

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