The Concurrent Motivational Effect of Applying Physical Activity Tracker on Body Composition and Self-Esteem in Sedentary Adults

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rapidly rising in developing and industrialized countries. Inappropriate nutrition and physical inactivity are among the key contributors to overweight and obesity. The rate of motor disability is particularly high in everyday life among the elderly in Iran, compared to advanced countries, such as South Korea and Europe. It is important to determine the appropriate strategies for increasing the participation of the elderly in physical activities. One of the motivational tools for physical activity is activity trackers that assess the physiological function of the elderly and could motivate exercising through feedback provided to them. The American Academy of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has named activity tracking technology as a fitness model in 2016 and 2017. Tracker technology may be an incentive for older people to increase physical activity and slowdown. The increased use of technology and time spent in slow–moving activities require more interventions that highlight the role of technology in the elderly while encouraging them to mobilize further. The researchers concluded that the technology of direct use of activity trackers could be used to improve physical activity interventions, in combination with behavioral change theories. An inactive lifestyle not only causes physical problems, but also leads to depression, and decreased self–esteem and quality of life. The relationship between physical activity and mental abnormalities is very complex. However, increased physical activity can prevent mental health conditions, such as depression, and decreased self–esteem. Therefore, this study investigated the concurrent motivational effect of applying activity trackers associated with physical activity on body composition and self–esteem in sedentary adults.

This was a field trial research (based on the purpose of a clinical trial). The study participants were 45 inactive people aged >60 years and accommodated at nursing homes in Tehranchr('39')s eighth district. The International Physical Activity Inventory (IPAQ), Physical Fitness Preparedness Questionnaire (PAR–Q), and Exercise Motivations Inventory–2 (EMI–2) Schedule for selecting subjects were used. The study subjects were assigned to three groups, as follows: control, physical activity test group with a tracker, and physical activity test group without a tracker. Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to assess body composition, and the Eysenck Self–Esteem questionnaire was applied to assess self–esteem in the study participants. For data analysis, repeated–measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used at the significance level of 0.05.

The research findings revealed no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in body composition and self–esteem.

Previous research results indicated a significant and inverse association between the level of physical activity and body composition. However, the present study results suggested that 12 weeks of training was insufficient for making a difference in the body composition and self–esteem of sedentary adults.