Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Changing the Physical Activity Behavior of Adults With Fitness Trackers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Chris Lynch1,2, Stephen Bird1, Noel Lythgo1
1Exercise Science, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
Objective:
To examine whether a fitness tracker (FT) intervention changes physical activity (PA) behavior compared to a control condition or compared to an alternative intervention.
Data Source:
Searches between January 01, 2010, and January 01, 2019, were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
Randomized clinical trials of adults using an FT to change PA behavior were included. Nonclinical trials, studies that included the delivery of structured exercise, and/or studies that only used the FT to assess PA were excluded.
Data Extraction:
Extracted features included characteristics of the study population, intervention components, PA outcomes, and results.
Data Synthesis:
Papers were pooled in a statistical meta-analysis using a fixed effects model. Where statistical pooling was not possible, standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Findings were presented in a narrative form and tables.
Results:
Of 2076 articles found, 21 were included in the review. A small yet significant positive effect (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.17-0.32; P < .01; I2 = 56.9%; P = .03) was found in step count for interventions compared to control. A small yet significant negative effect (SMD = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.20 to -0.02; P = .02; I2 = 58.2%; P = 0.03) was found in moderate-to-vigorous PA for interventions compared to an alternative intervention.
Conclusion:
Trackers may enhance PA interventions, as a general positive effect is found in step count compared to a control. However, there is no evidence of a positive effect when interventions are compared to an alternative intervention. It is unknown whether results are due to other intervention components and/or clinical heterogeneity.
