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Ahn SJG, Schmidt MD, Tate AD, Rathbun S, Annesi JJ, Hahn L, Novotny E, Okitondo C, Grimsley RN, Johnsen K. Virtual fitness buddy ecosystem: a mixed reality precision health physical activity intervention for children. NPJ Digit Med 2024; 7:134. [PMID: 38773297 PMCID: PMC11109260 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-024-01133-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
6-11-year-old children provide a critical window for physical activity (PA) interventions. The Virtual Fitness Buddy ecosystem is a precision health PA intervention for children integrating mixed reality technology to connect people and devices. A cluster randomized, controlled trial was conducted across 19 afterschool sites over two 6-month cohorts to test its efficacy in increasing PA and decreasing sedentary behavior. In the treatment group, a custom virtual dog via a mixed reality kiosk helped children set PA goals while sharing progress with parents to receive feedback and support. Children in the control group set PA goals using a computer without support from the virtual dog or parents. 303 children had 8+ hours of PA data on at least one day of each of the 3 intervention time intervals. Conversion of sedentary time was primarily to light-intensity PA and was strongest for children with low baseline moderate-to-vigorous PA than children above 45 min of baseline moderate-to-vigorous PA. Findings suggest that the VFB ecosystem can promote sustainable PA in children and may be rapidly diffused for widespread public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Joo Grace Ahn
- Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | | | - Allan D Tate
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Stephen Rathbun
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - James J Annesi
- Kinesiology Department, California State University, Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA, USA
| | - Lindsay Hahn
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Eric Novotny
- Workplace Research and Insights, Haworth, Inc., Holland, MI, 49424, USA
| | - Christian Okitondo
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca N Grimsley
- Center for Advanced Computer-Human Ecosystems, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Kyle Johnsen
- College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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Schmidt MD, Rathbun SL, Chu Z, Boudreaux BD, Hahn L, Novotny E, Johnsen K, Ahn SJ(G. Agreement between Fitbit and ActiGraph Estimates of Physical Activity in Young Children. MEASUREMENT IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND EXERCISE SCIENCE 2022; 27:171-180. [PMID: 37377882 PMCID: PMC10292760 DOI: 10.1080/1091367x.2022.2125319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) estimates from the Fitbit Flex 2 were compared to those from the ActiGraph GT9X Link in 123 elementary school children. Steps and intensity-specific estimates of PA and 3-month PA change were calculated using two different ActiGraph cut-points (Evenson and Romanzini). Fitbit estimates were 35% higher for steps compared to the ActiGraph. Fitbit and ActiGraph intensity-specific estimates were closest for sedentary and light PA while estimates of moderate and vigorous PA varied substantially depending upon the ActiGraph cut-points used. Spearman correlations between device estimates were higher for steps (rs=.70) than for moderate (rs =.54 to .55) or vigorous (rs =.29 to .48) PA. There was low concordance between devices in assessing PA changes over time. Agreement between Fitbit Flex 2 and ActiGraph estimates may depend upon the cut-points used to classify PA intensity. However, there is fair to good agreement between devices in ranking children's steps and MVPA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhixuan Chu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia
| | | | - Lindsay Hahn
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, State University of New York
| | - Eric Novotny
- Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Georgia
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Lyzwinski L, Menon C, Elgendi M. Conversational Agents for Improving Weight-Related Behaviors and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review (Preprint). JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2022; 11:e39649. [DOI: 10.2196/39649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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