Cardiorespiratory fitness

Nursing

Gerontology

Health education

Social cognitive theory

Public health

Bioelectrical impedance analysis

Embedded system

Body mass index

Psychiatry

Developmental psychology

Computer science

Screen time

Psychology

Applied psychology

Wearable computer

Physical therapy

Internal medicine

Psychosocial

Intervention (counseling)

Medicine

Physical activity

Randomized controlled trial

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

PURPOSE: Evaluated efficacy of combining smartwatch use and a theoretically-based, social media-delivered health education intervention on improving college students’ (CS) health behaviors/outcomes relative to a comparison arm. Intervention use/acceptability were also assessed. METHODS: Thirty-eight CS (28 female; Mage = 21.5 ± 3.4 years) participated in this two-arm randomized 12-week pilot trial. After screening, participants were randomized into two groups: (a) experimental: consisted of Polar M400 use and a twice-weekly theory-based Facebook-delivered health education intervention; or (b) comparison: enrolled in separate, but content-identical, Facebook group. ActiGraph Link accelerometers and the National Cancer Institute’s ASA24 food recall measured PA and dietary behaviors, respectively. Health-related Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory psychosocial constructs were measured using psychometrically-validated questionnaires while the YMCA 3-Minute step test and bioelectrical impedance assessed cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat percentage, respectively. RESULTS: Only whole grain consumption differed between groups at baseline, t = 2.3, p = 0.03. For PA, a trend toward a significant main effect for time was observed for moderate-to-vigorous PA, F(2, 72) = 2.6, p = 0.08; partial eta-squared = 0.07, with experimental and comparison groups demonstrating 4.2- and 1.6-minute/day increases, respectively, at 6 weeks. For secondary outcomes, both groups demonstrated non-significantly decreased weight from baseline to 12 weeks (experimental: -0.6 kg; comparison: -0.5 kg). Further, significant main effects for time were observed for self-efficacy, social support, and intrinsic motivation (all p < 0.01; partial eta-squared: 0.18-0.38) as both groups improved over time. Finally, both groups demonstrated lower daily caloric consumption over time (experimental: -41.0 calories; comparison: -143.3 calories). Intervention adherence was high (~86%), with participants implementing health education tips at least once weekly. CONCLUSIONS: While both arms demonstrated initial efficacy in improving CS health outcomes, observations did not indicate the experimental intervention as more efficacious than comparison. Future research warranted.

Use of Wearable Technology and Social Media to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors among College Students: A 12-week Randomized Pilot Study