Physical activity habit formation through a technology-based program.

Area of Science:

• Health Promotion
• Behavioral Science
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Many US adults do not meet physical activity (PA) guidelines, impacting health and productivity.
• Employee health clinics can address PA deficits and promote health.
• Insufficient PA is linked to various chronic health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a technology-based intervention for developing physical activity (PA) habits in clinic patients.
• To promote health and well-being among employees within a self-insured healthcare system.
• To evaluate the impact of a 3-month PA habit development program.

Main Methods:

• A quantitative, quality improvement project design was employed.
• Participants engaged in a 3-month program using wearable technology, step tracking, and digital communications.
• Biometric and habit measures were collected at baseline and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Participants who completed the program demonstrated strong physical activity (PA) habit formation.
• Minor, non-clinically significant improvements were observed in blood pressure, weight, and BMI.
• Participant dropout rates were lower than anticipated, with two-thirds completing the program.

Conclusions:

• Developed PA habits are sustainable and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia.
• This intervention offers potential benefits for self-insured employers, including increased productivity and reduced healthcare costs.
• Technology-assisted habit formation is a promising strategy for improving population health and workplace wellness.