JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Movement quality refers to an individual's capacity to execute movements that emulate those of an expert or adhere to pre-determined standards. Wearable technology offers a convenient and affordable means of measuring and assessing movement quality; this is essential not only in elite sports, but also for the general population. By emphasizing safe and efficient movement patterns, a focus on movement quality facilitates increases in movement quantity, subsequently improving general health and enhancing overall quality of life. Additionally, technology in a broader sense can provide constructive feedback utilizing an assortment of modalities. However, there remains a lack of understanding regarding the optimal implementation of consumer technology to enhance movement quality.

Objective:

This study sought to gain the opinions of wearable-technology experts regarding the use of wearable devices to measure movement quality and provide feedback. A secondary objective was to determine potential strategies for integrating preferred assessment and feedback characteristics into a technology-based movement-quality intervention for the general, recreationally active population.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants (42 ± 9 years; 5 males) who had experience in the development and application of wearable technology for sports, exercise, and wellness. Qualitative data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis and presented as overarching themes and sub-themes, constructed from verbatim interview transcripts.

Results:

Three main themes were generated: i) ‘Grab and Go’; ii) ‘Adjust and Adapt’; iii) ‘Visualize and Feedback’. Participants indicated that the collection of data using wearable technology should prioritize convenience, though prospective users may tolerate some inconvenience if the benefits are perceived as sufficiently valuable. It was also determined that feedback should be easily interpretable for a wide range of audiences to aid understanding, and that excessive amounts of detail should be avoided to prevent overloading, and subsequently deterring, the user. An adaptable, customizable solution, ideally with scope for variety and progression, was felt to be preferable when implementing a movement-quality intervention using technology. The findings indicate that an intervention should seek to utilize visual feedback, such as a visual representation of the user (i.e., an avatar), supplemented with verbal instructions as part of a multimodal system.

Conclusions:

The study provides insights into the perspectives of experts on the use of wearable technology for enhancing movement quality. The findings suggest that interventions should prioritize user convenience, simplicity in feedback, and an adaptable approach that caters for a diverse audience. The study underscores the benefits of individualized feedback and user-centric design in wearables and consumer-technology applications for improving movement quality.