The Impact of Exercise Intensity Feedback Using Technology for Children During Active Play: Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Science
• Behavioral Technology in Physical Activity
• Childhood Physical Activity and Health

Background:

• Many children fail to meet recommended exercise intensity levels.
• Technological interventions show potential for increasing exercise intensity in youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if real-time technological feedback enhances moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children.
• To determine if children's physical traits correlate with exercise intensity during active play.

Main Methods:

• Twenty children (5-11 years) wore heart rate (HR) monitors during active play sessions.
• Color-coded, real-time HR intensity feedback was provided during 2 of 15 sessions.
• Measurements included age, anthropometrics, strength, body composition, and fitness levels.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in average maximal HR percentage was observed with or without feedback (70.7% vs. 71.1%, P=.93).
• Children's personal characteristics were not associated with average exercise intensity.
• Feedback did not lead to a greater proportion of time spent at moderate-to-vigorous intensity.

Conclusions:

• Instantaneous exercise intensity feedback via technology does not increase time spent at moderate-to-vigorous intensity in children during active play.
• Individual physical characteristics do not predict exercise intensity during these programs.