Study Confirms Fitness Trackers’ Role in Motivating Exercise and Weight Loss

Fitness trackers, pedometers, and smartwatches have been found to effectively motivate individuals to exercise more and achieve weight loss, according to Australian researchers.

In a comprehensive research review, the investigators discovered that tracking activity levels can inspire individuals to walk an additional 40 minutes per day (equivalent to approximately 1,800 extra steps). These additional steps could potentially result in a weight loss of over two pounds within five months.

“There is often skepticism in the media regarding wearable activity trackers, questioning their impact and potential negative effects such as inducing feelings of guilt,” stated senior researcher Carol Maher, a professor of population and digital health at the University of South Australia. Maher emphasized that their review found no evidence of negative impacts associated with wearable activity trackers.

The popularity of these devices is evident, with the number of trackers sold worldwide increasing by nearly 1,500% between 2014 and 2020. In 2020 alone, approximately $3 billion was spent on fitness tracking products.

The study, which Maher emphasized was not funded by any fitness device manufacturers, reviewed nearly 400 published studies involving approximately 164,000 people. The findings revealed that fitness trackers not only encouraged increased exercise and weight loss but also demonstrated a positive effect on lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels in individuals with Type 2 diabetes and other health conditions.

“Wearables are a low-cost, convenient tool for boosting your daily activity and achieving mild weight loss,” said Maher.

While the reported two-pound weight loss may seem modest, Maher noted that the focus of the studies was on physical activity rather than weight loss. She highlighted the significance of this weight reduction from a population health perspective, as it could offset two to three years of weight gain typically observed in the general population over a three- to six-month period, the typical duration of the studies included in the review.

David Conroy, a professor of kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University, reviewed the study’s findings. He noted that the benefits observed in the study were not solely attributed to fitness trackers but also involved changes in behavior. Conroy emphasized that the effects observed might overestimate the impact of wearable activity trackers alone on behavior and health outcomes. The study did not provide insights into the time required to achieve the observed benefits or their duration.

Conroy further explained that while the mechanisms by which tracking devices assist users in achieving positive outcomes are not fully understood, they likely provide feedback to monitor progress towards activity goals and act as reminders. Many devices also offer companion mobile apps that incorporate various behavior change techniques to promote sustained behavior change.

While wearable activity trackers can be helpful in promoting physical activity, Conroy advised setting realistic expectations and viewing them as tools rather than standalone solutions for behavior change. Sustained increases in physical activity are more likely when the tracker is part of a comprehensive approach rooted in behavioral science that includes a desire to be active, meaningful incentives, and an effort to translate intentions into action.

“Incorporating physical activity into daily life requires a holistic approach, where trackers can assist consumers in developing lifestyles that make it easier,” Conroy concluded. “However, this will not happen with the tracker alone; it requires a thoughtful, evidence-based behavioral change program.”