Wearable Activity Tracker Use Among Australian Adolescents: Usability and Acceptability Study

Area of Science:

• Adolescent health
• Human-computer interaction
• Physical activity interventions

Background:

• Wearable activity trackers (WATs) show potential for physical activity interventions in adolescents.
• Limited understanding exists regarding adolescent usage patterns and perceived acceptability of WATs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the usability and acceptability of a WAT among adolescents.
• To explore adolescents' awareness and utilization of WAT features and associated app functionalities.

Main Methods:

• Sixty adolescents (13-14 years) used a Fitbit Flex and app for 6 weeks.
• Data collected via web-based surveys and qualitative focus groups.
• Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using pen profiles.

Main Results:

• Adolescents found the Fitbit Flex easy for activity tracking but difficult for sleep monitoring.
• Key features utilized included activity tracking, goal-setting, and social challenges.
• Barriers included comfort, design, lack of specific feedback, and water resistance limitations.

Conclusions:

• Adolescents perceived WATs as useful tools for daily activity tracking and self-monitoring.
• Functionality and wearability are crucial considerations for integrating WATs into adolescent physical activity interventions.
• Addressing identified barriers is essential for promoting sustained use of WATs in this demographic.