Activity trackers and fitness centre members : motivation and awareness

Abstract

Worldwide, physical activity level of the general population is below what is recommended for achieving a healthy lifestyle. At the same time the use of fitness related products, such as fitness applications for smartphones and wearable activity monitors are increasing, particularly in fitness centre settings. This trend leads to questions about what is the influence of the activity trackers on a person’s motivation to exercise, and whether these devices can contribute to improving the health of the general population.

The aim of this research was to explore if wearing an activity tracker (Polar Loop) motivates fitness centre members (SATS ELIXIA) and increases their physical activity participation and awareness regarding their own health. The study was conducted in SATS ELIXIA Seppälä (Jyväskylä, Finland) and it included 100 participants divided into two groups: a “Loop group” and a control group. Both of these groups were divided into three sub groups: OLD members (membership time > 9 months), personal trainer (PT) members (at least 6 PT sessions during the test period) and NEW members (membership time < 2 weeks). The data was collected from fitness centre visitor data and Polar Flow service. Moreover, participants completed a questionnaire at the beginning and at the end of the 10 week test period assessing their awareness regarding health and physical activity. The questionnaire included questions related to physical activity, sleeping time, sitting time and overall wellbeing.

The results were analysed using an independent sample T-test, one-way ANOVA and MANOVA. The results regarding gym visits revealed that all group comparisons were not statistically significant. Even though the group comparisons were not statistically significant, the trends of means and frequencies were similar to the hypothesis and revealed useful information. The overall frequency of gym visits and activity level decreased over the test period; however, the decrease was smaller within Loop users, particularly in PT and NEW subgroups. The Polar Loop tracker also helped in increasing participants’ awareness of their own wellbeing, daily sitting time and sleep quality and that way helped them in their goal towards more physically active lifestyle. There were positive statistically significant correlation between activity level and gym visits variables.

Overall, results do not support a singnifficant positive effect of activity trackers for fitness centre members. Nevertheless, since trends were to a positive directions, this encourages for further research within this topic area in fitness centre setting using larger sample sizes in order to improve our knowledge.