Ridgers Nicola D, Timperio Anna, Brown Helen, Ball Kylie, Macfarlane Susie, Lai Samuel K, Richards Kara, Mackintosh Kelly A, McNarry Melitta A, Foster Megan, Salmon Jo
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.
Jean Hailes for Women's Health Organisation, Melbourne, Australia.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018 Apr 11;6(4):e86. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.9199.
Wearable activity trackers have the potential to be integrated into physical activity interventions, yet little is known about how adolescents use these devices or perceive their acceptability.
The aim of this study was to examine the usability and acceptability of a wearable activity tracker among adolescents. A secondary aim was to determine adolescents' awareness and use of the different functions and features in the wearable activity tracker and accompanying app.
Sixty adolescents (aged 13-14 years) in year 8 from 3 secondary schools in Melbourne, Australia, were provided with a wrist-worn Fitbit Flex and accompanying app, and were asked to use it for 6 weeks. Demographic data (age, sex) were collected via a Web-based survey completed during week 1 of the study. At the conclusion of the 6-week period, all adolescents participated in focus groups that explored their perceptions of the usability and acceptability of the Fitbit Flex, accompanying app, and Web-based Fitbit profile. Qualitative data were analyzed using pen profiles, which were constructed from verbatim transcripts.
Adolescents typically found the Fitbit Flex easy to use for activity tracking, though greater difficulties were reported for monitoring sleep. The Fitbit Flex was perceived to be useful for tracking daily activities, and adolescents used a range of features and functions available through the device and the app. Barriers to use included the comfort and design of the Fitbit Flex, a lack of specific feedback about activity levels, and the inability to wear the wearable activity tracker for water-based sports.
Adolescents reported that the Fitbit Flex was easy to use and that it was a useful tool for tracking daily activities. A number of functions and features were used, including the device's visual display to track and self-monitor activity, goal-setting in the accompanying app, and undertaking challenges against friends. However, several barriers to use were identified, which may impact on sustained use over time. Overall, wearable activity trackers have the potential to be integrated into physical activity interventions targeted at adolescents, but both the functionality and wearability of the monitor should be considered.
可穿戴活动追踪器有潜力被整合到体育活动干预中，但对于青少年如何使用这些设备或如何看待其可接受性，人们知之甚少。
本研究旨在调查一款可穿戴活动追踪器在青少年中的可用性和可接受性。次要目的是确定青少年对可穿戴活动追踪器及配套应用程序中不同功能和特性的认知与使用情况。
澳大利亚墨尔本3所中学8年级的60名青少年（年龄在13 - 14岁）获得了一款腕戴式Fitbit Flex及其配套应用程序，并被要求使用6周。通过在研究第1周完成的基于网络的调查收集人口统计学数据（年龄、性别）。在6周结束时，所有青少年参加了焦点小组，探讨他们对Fitbit Flex、配套应用程序以及基于网络的Fitbit个人资料的可用性和可接受性的看法。使用逐字记录构建的笔式概况对定性数据进行分析。
青少年通常发现Fitbit Flex易于用于活动追踪，不过在监测睡眠方面报告有更大困难。Fitbit Flex被认为对追踪日常活动有用，青少年使用了该设备及应用程序提供的一系列功能和特性。使用障碍包括Fitbit Flex的舒适度和设计、缺乏关于活动水平的具体反馈，以及无法在水上运动时佩戴可穿戴活动追踪器。
青少年报告称Fitbit Flex易于使用，是追踪日常活动的有用工具。他们使用了多种功能和特性，包括通过设备的视觉显示来追踪和自我监测活动、在配套应用程序中设定目标，以及与朋友进行挑战。然而，也发现了一些使用障碍，这可能会影响随着时间推移的持续使用。总体而言，可穿戴活动追踪器有潜力被整合到针对青少年的体育活动干预中，但应同时考虑监测器的功能和可穿戴性
