JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Physical inactivity is a significant public health concern, particularly among women in the United States. Wearable activity trackers (WATs) have been proposed as a potential solution to increase awareness of, and engagement in physical activity. However, to be effective, WATs must include features and designs that encourage daily use.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine which WAT features and designs are most appealing to women and the motivational effects of various WATs.

Methods:

A mixed-methods study was conducted among 15 women. Each participant trialed three WATs and documented their daily physical activity levels. Participants rated their satisfaction with each device’s comfort, features, and motivational effect. Focus groups were also conducted to gather additional feedback and experiences.

Results:

The results showed that WATs with the following features were preferred among the participants: 1) comfort, 2) extended battery life, 3) durability, 4) immediate physical activity feedback, 5) intuitive physical activity sensing, and 6) programmability. Participants reported that these features effectively motivated them to increase their physical activity levels. Additionally, participants shared experiences and feedback in focus groups, which provided further insight into the motivational effects of the WATs.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that WATs with specific features and designs are more likely to be appealing to women and effectively motivate them to increase their physical activity levels. The preferred WAT features include comfort, extended battery life, durability, immediate physical activity feedback, intuitive physical activity sensing, and programmability. By incorporating these features, WATs have the potential to improve overall health and reduce healthcare costs by promoting physical activity among women. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and optimize WAT designs for women.