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International Conference on Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good

GOODTECHS 2017: Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good pp 331–341Cite as

A Comparison of a Smartphone App and a Wrist-Worn Fitness Tracker for Self-monitoring of Physical Activity by Older and Younger Users

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Abstract

Wearables capable of monitoring steps are important elements of behavior change interventions to increase physical activity. For intervention studies, there is currently the choice between smartphone apps and fitness trackers for self-monitoring daily steps. We report results from a pilot study, in which younger and older participants experienced both types of devices, rated usability, and performed usability tasks. The fitness tracker, which was operated with a single touch-sensitive button, proved advantageous in subjective and objective usability. The discussion includes further aspects of the choice between smartphone apps and fitness trackers for use in interventions.

R. Kupffer and M. Wutzler have contributed equally.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Wilhelm-Raabe-Str. 43, 09120, Chemnitz, Germany

    Rebekka Kupffer, Melanie Wutzler, Josef F. Krems & Georg Jahn

Authors
  1. Rebekka Kupffer
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  2. Melanie Wutzler
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  3. Josef F. Krems
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  4. Georg Jahn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Georg Jahn .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Barbara Guidi

  2. University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Laura Ricci

  3. Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Carlos Calafate

  4. University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Ombretta Gaggi

  5. University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

    Johann Marquez-Barja

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© 2018 ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering

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Kupffer, R., Wutzler, M., Krems, J.F., Jahn, G. (2018). A Comparison of a Smartphone App and a Wrist-Worn Fitness Tracker for Self-monitoring of Physical Activity by Older and Younger Users. In: Guidi, B., Ricci, L., Calafate, C., Gaggi, O., Marquez-Barja, J. (eds) Smart Objects and Technologies for Social Good. GOODTECHS 2017. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 233. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76111-4_33

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76111-4_33

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-76110-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-76111-4

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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