November 6, 2017
10:00 am
Hawkins Hall, Room 110

Dissertation Title: Motivational readiness to change exercise behaviors: The relationship between exercise, wearable exercise tracking technology, FIT values and BMI scores

Committee: Dr. Qing Li (Chair), Dr. Bill Sadera, Dr. Liyan Song, Dr. Andrea Brace

Abstract: The present study explored if the use of wearable exercise tracking technology during exercise supported increased exercise behaviors of frequency, intensity, and time, collectively known as FIT values. Research has shown that increased FIT values equate with stronger, more positive health outcomes and decreased obesity and chronic disease risk (ACSM, 2017). Young adults often gain weight during their college careers, in part due to decreased exercise activities (Butler et al., 2004; Delinsky et al., 2008; Gropper et al., 2012; Nelson et al., 2006). The purpose of this research was to better understand if the use of wearable technology during exercise might be a potential correlate with positive exercise behaviors among university students. This study employed a quantitative methodology that used the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) to describe where students were along a motivational continuum to exercise and to use a wearable tracking technology. This analysis illuminated the relationship between the regular use of wearable technology during exercise and increased exercise behaviors and simultaneously highlighted the potential of wearable exercise tracking technology to increase behavior. This research provides a quantitative investigation not yet fully explored in the literature about the intersections of wearable technology use, exercise behaviors and positive FIT outcomes. The findings of this study suggest that wearable exercise tracking technology may be connected with positive exercise FIT values and may play a role in increasing exercise behaviors in university students. Health educators can facilitate the use of wearable exercise tracking technologies as they educate students about the importance of the technology-provided data for both short- and long-term exercise behaviors and related health outcomes (Wortley, An, & Nigg, 2017).