JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Lifestyle behaviours, including physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour, poor sleep, and unhealthy diet, significantly impact global population health. Wearable activity trackers (WATs) have emerged as tools to enhance health behaviours; however, their effectiveness and continued use depend on their user experience.

Objective:

This study aims to explore changes in user experiences, preferences, and perceived impacts of WATs from 2016 to 2023.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among an international cohort of adults (n=475, comprising 387 current and 88 former WAT users). Results were compared to a 2016 cross-sectional online survey (n=237, comprising 200 current and 37 former WAT users) using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. The survey examined brand preference, feature utility, motivations, perceived health behaviour change, social sharing behaviours and technical issues.

Results:

In 2023, Apple (44%) and Fitbit (21%) were the most commonly used devices, compared to the 2016 survey where Fitbit (68%) and Garmin devices (17%) were most common. The median usage duration in 2023 was 18 months, significantly longer than the 7 months reported in 2016, with most users planning ongoing use. Users in both survey years reported greater improvements in physical activity than diet or sleep, despite lower improvement in physical activity in 2023 compared to 2016, contrasted with greater perceived improvements in diet and sleep. Social media sharing of WAT data notably rose to 72% in 2023 from 39% in 2016. However, reports of technical issues and discomfort increased, alongside a decrease in overall positive experiences. There was also a noticeable shift in discontinuation reasons, from having learnt everything possible in 2016 to dissatisfaction in 2023.

Conclusions:

The study highlights significant shifts in WAT usage, including extended use and evolving preferences for brands and features. The rise in social media sharing indicates deeper integration of WATs into everyday life. However, user feedback points to a need for enhanced design and functionality, despite technological progress. These findings illustrate WATs' potential in health promotion, emphasizing the need for user-focused design, and in diverse populations, to fully realize their benefits in enhancing health behaviours.