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The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and measurement agreement of a smartphone pedometer application and a traditional pedometer, both compared to manual step count, in six environments. The study also examined the relative reliability of two positions of the smartphone pedometer application in the six environments. Twenty participants carried two smartphones (iPhone 4S) with the same pedometer application (Pedometer FREE GPSþ) in two device positions together with a traditional pedometer (Yamax LS2000) while walking in six environments. The pedometer application in the chest position (app chest) differed significantly from the manual step count when walking uphill (p¼0.003), the application in the trouser (pants) position (app pants) differed for downhill (p¼0.001) and the traditional pedometer (trad ped) differed upstairs (p¼0.007). The measurement agreement was high for app pants uphill, app chest downhill and trad ped downstairs. The relative reliability was fair for app chest, but poor for app pants. In conclusion, the pedometer application and traditional pedometer were valid for step self-monitoring in some environments, and the measurement agreement compared to manual step count was mainly medium to high. The relative reliability for the smartphone pedometer application was partly acceptable. Smartphones could be useful in some environments for physical activity self-monitoring.

Background: Different kinds of physical activity (PA) self-monitoring technologies are used today to monitor and motivate PA behavior change. The user focus is essential in the development process of this technology, including potential future users such as representatives from the group of non-users. There is also a need to study whether there are differences between the groups of users and non-users. The aims of this study were to investigate possible differences between users and non-users regarding their opinions about PA self-monitoring technologies and to investigate differences in demographic variables between the groups. Materials and methods: Participants were randomly selected from seven municipalities in central Sweden. In total, 107 adults responded to the Physical Activity Products Questionnaire, which consisted of 22 questions. Results: Significant differences between the users and non-users were shown for six of the 20 measurement-related items: measures accurately (p = 0.007), measures with high precision (p = 0.024), measures distance (p = 0.020), measures speed (p = 0.003), shows minutes of activity (p = 0.004), and shows geographical position (p = 0.000). Significant differences between the users and non-users were also found for two of the 29 encouragement items: measures accurately (p = 0.001) and has long-term memory (p = 0.019). Significant differences between the groups were also shown for level of education (p = 0.030) and level of physical exercise (p = 0.037). Conclusion: With a few exceptions, the users and the non-users in this study had similar opinions about PA self-monitoring technologies. Because this study showed significant differences regarding level of education and level of physical exercise, these demographic variables seemed more relevant to investigate than differences in opinions about the PA self-monitoring technologies.

BACKGROUND: To achieve a more physically active and healthier population, the opinions of potential future users of physical activity self-monitoring technologies need further investigation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of physically inactive non-users of physical activity self-monitoring technologies, regarding how and when technology possibly could measure and encourage physical activity. METHODS: Two focus group interviews were performed, consisting of 11 physically inactive persons who had no previous experience with regular use of physical activity self-monitoring technology. The focus groups were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The transcripts of the two focus groups resulted in 17 subcategories and five categories, which formed two themes: measurement complexity and performance and basic qualities. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the physically inactive non-users of physical activity self-monitoring technologies had positive, innovative and mainly similar opinions about how technology could promote physical activity. Since the concept of encouragement permeates the results, it can be concluded that the physical activity technology for this particular target group should primarily be based on encouraging features and functions. Further, the study indicated that it is preferable to integrate physical activity self-monitoring technology into already existing technology that the user already owns.

Physical inactivity is increasing worldwide. Technology shows good evidence forhaving a good impact on health. Successful behaviour change regarding physical activity requires user involvement and the integration of relevant behaviour change techniques into the technology. The aim of this study was, based on the user perspective, to develop and later evaluate the usability of an interactive health technology solution that can encourage physically inactive adults to physical activity. A mixed methods design with a user-centred approach was used. The data collection included a brainstorming workshop, a user workshop, technical development and a usability evaluation (effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction) involving 35 participants. From the brainstorming workshop, four themes were identified: focus, platform, characteristics and content. A schematic model of a first prototype was presented at the user workshop, and the feedback was positive. A behaviour change application was developed (App&Move), with a focus on encouraging functions. App&Move, which measures physical activity in minutes per day, has integrated behaviour change techniques, is based on available physical activity recommendations, relies on scientific evidence and is strongly based on the user perspective. The usability evaluation of App&Move showed that effectiveness was acceptable, efficiency was (with one exception) high, and satisfaction was medium. The results from this study contributes to the development of a first model of a behaviour change application that aims to encourage physically inactive adults to physical activity. In conclusion, the usability evaluation of App&Move showed promising usability, and the application seemed to encourage physical activity to some extent.