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College Students Use and Perceptions of Wearable Fitness Trackers and Mobile Health Apps

Kinney, Darlene
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6364-9489
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504798862580571

Abstract Details

2017, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Health Education.
Background. Approximately half of all college students are not meeting the Center for Disease Control’s exercise recommendations. This study investigated college students’ use of wearable fitness trackers (WFTs) and their perceptions of WFTs impact on confidence and motivation for increasing physical activity. Reasons for non-use of WFTs were also explored. Methods. A 25-item survey was developed and administered to college students at a Midwestern University. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS software. Results. Use of a WFT was reported by 22.5% (n = 80) of participants (N = 356.) The two most common WFTs were Fitbit and Apple Watch. Most participants wore their WFT either “every day without fail” or “most days” and half wore their WFT “all day and while sleeping”. A majority of participants reported using their WFT to help them increase their physical activity. Regression analyses were significant for participants reporting a perceived high increase in physical activity and or a perceived high number of steps participants were more likely to report high motivation for physical activity. Females were 2.3 times more likely to use a WFT than males. Conclusions. This study documents key information on college students’ use of WFTs and demonstrated possible usefulness of WFTs in helping to increase confidence and motivation for physical activity. Further studies are needed to determine potential usefulness of WFTs as an element of interventions for improving levels of physical activity among college students. Background. Approximately half of all college students are not meeting the Center for Disease Control’s exercise recommendations. This study investigated college students’ use of mobile health apps (mHealth apps) and their perceptions of mHealth apps’ impact on motivation for increasing physical activity. Reasons for non-use of mHealth apps were also explored. Methods. A 25-item survey was developed and administered to college students at a Midwestern University. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted using SPSS software. Results. A total of 67 participants (84%) reported using their WFT’s related mHealth app. The only significant factor related to increasing motivation for engaging in physical activity was number of mHealth apps synced with participants’ WFTs. The regression model was significant (p = .026) and predicted approximately 13.4% of the variance in motivation for engaging in physical activity. Conclusions. This study documents key information on college students’ use of mHealth apps. Further studies are needed to determine potential usefulness of mHealth apps as an element of interventions for improving levels of physical activity among college students.
Laura Nabors, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Ashley Merianos, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Rebecca Vidourek, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
93 p.
Health Education
Wearable Fitness Trackers; Mobile Health Apps; College Students; Physical Activity; Non-Use

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kinney, D. (2017). College Students Use and Perceptions of Wearable Fitness Trackers and Mobile Health Apps [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504798862580571

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kinney, Darlene. College Students Use and Perceptions of Wearable Fitness Trackers and Mobile Health Apps. 2017. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504798862580571.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kinney, Darlene. "College Students Use and Perceptions of Wearable Fitness Trackers and Mobile Health Apps." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504798862580571

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1504798862580571
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.