During the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity (PA) engagement levels declined worldwide. Despite the overwhelming adoption of wearable fitness tracker (WFT) devices, it continues to be unclear as to their effect on PA engagement or PA motivation. Building on past research, we hypothesized that combining a WFT with a known impactful intervention, motivational interviewing (MI) would positively influence both self-determination theory (SDT) motivation and PA during an unprecedented global emergency. A four-group randomized controlled study was conducted amongst 40 inactive adults over a 12-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic. One group (WFT, n = 10) received a wearable fitness tracker, a second (MI, n=10) received bi-weekly MI sessions, a third (WFT+, n=10) received both, and a fourth (Education, n=10) received basic PA education. Outcome measures for motivation and PA were measured though an online survey before and after the 12-week period.
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Change in Motivation From Baseline at 12 Weeks.
Timeframe: Baseline and at 12 weeks.
Change in Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity From Baseline at 12 Weeks.
Timeframe: Baseline and at 12 weeks
Change in Steps Per Day From Baseline at 12 Weeks.
Timeframe: Baseline and at 12 weeks