The study explored how adults aged 50+ with chronic illnesses adopt wearable activity trackers. 32 participants with conditions like diabetes and heart disease tested a pedometer and 4 trackers (Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit, Withings) for 3 weeks each. Most found the trackers useful, acceptable, and motivating, especially for learning how inactive they were. However, some needed support setting them up and understanding the data. The researchers concluded that for older adults with chronic conditions, trackers are generally perceived positively but support may be needed for initial use and data interpretation.

1. “Back it up & simplify” | Wearable activity trackers for adults 50+ living with chronic illness
K Mercer, K Grindrod, L Giangregorio, P Chilana, E Schneider
Results
More information.
@kgrindrod
@vivalakt
Thank you. Our Project was
funded by the University of
Waterloo Chronic Disease
Prevention Initiative. We do
not have any conflicts of
interest to declare. You can
read more about our work at
www.kellygrindrod.com.
Figure. Mean participant acceptance scores compared to
the pedometer (*p<0.05)
Objective & Research Question
Objective. To explore how
adults aged 50+ and living
with chronic disease adopt
wearable activity trackers into
their daily lives.
Research Question. How
acceptable and adoptable are
wearable activity trackers for
adults 50+ living with chronic
illness?
Mio/
Sportline
Fitbit
Zip
Jawbone
Up 24
Misfit
Shine
Withings
Pulse
Cost ($CAD) $25 $60 $150 $130 $100
Pedometer ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Altimeter ✔
Heart rate ✔
Waterproof ✔
Activity unit Steps Steps Points Steps
Activity display ✔ ✔ ✔
Progress display ✔ ✔
Progress alerts ✔
Compatibility
Apple iOS ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Android* ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Computer ✔
Table 2. Characteristics of Physical Activity Trackers
Take Home
“I think the issue is always how do you motivate yourself
to do things you know are good for you…I've been in a
really heavy workload so I've been sitting a lot so it
actually shocked me to know I only do 2000 steps a day,
so that was very motivating for me.” [Female, 67, Group 1]
“It reminded me but didn't get me moving. I was working
on a computer, and it would buzz, lying down watching a
program. I think I had it set for every 20min to vibrate so it
lets you know that you're inactive, but what I did after the
reminder to move was up to me.”
[Male, 62, Group 2]”
“This winter has been hard, for walking outside. I used to
be able to walk, or I used to be a swimmer, and now I've
become a couch person. I've done the track in the house, I
run up and down the stairs, down to the basement and I
walk my driveway a couple of times cause it's long. I try
and I compete with myself and I know that I sit or lie down
much too long” [Female, 85, Group 1]
Table 1. Participant characteristics (N=32)
Female 23 (72%) Education
Age 64 (52-84) High School 6 (19%)
Chronic Illness 32 (100%) Post-secondary 21 (81%)
Mobile Device Household Income
Daily Use 22 (69%) <$20,000 2 (6%)
Weekly Use 0 (0%) $20,000-49,999 6 (19%)
Monthly Use 0 (0%) >$50,000 22 (69%)
Never Use 4 (12%) Prefer not to say 2 (6%)
!
How did it feel to try the trackers?
For older adults with chronic illness, wearable activity
trackers are perceived as useful and acceptable.
Participants did not know about the trackers and
wanted healthcare providers to recommend/sell them.
This would enable trackers to be sold tax free.
New users will likely need support to set-up the device
and to learn how to interpret their own activity data.
Selected Quotations
We asked 32 adults aged 50+ to try a basic pedometer
and 4 wearable fitness trackers over 3 weeks.
Participants began with a simple pedometer (Sportline
or Mio) followed by 4 wearable activity trackers in
random order. Devices were selected to represent the
range of wearable products and features on the
Canadian market.
Participants wore each device in daily life for at least 3
days and evaluated it using a questionnaire based on the
Technology Acceptance Model. We used focus groups to
explore participant experiences at the end.
Methods
Wearable Activity Trackers
Sample
We recruited participants at local libraries, community
centres and primary care clinics. We continued to recruit
until data saturation was reached. Participants were
living with hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease,
diabetes, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.
Fun
Instruc*ve
Informa*ve
Mo*va*onal
Educa*onal
Exci*ng
Interes*ng
Experien*al
Comfortable
Learning
Experience
Life
Annoying
Frustra*ng
Stressful
Hard
Challenging
0
20
40
60
80
100
Pedometer
Fitbit
Jawbone
Misfit
Withings
Sportline
Fitbit
Jawbone
Misfit
Withings
* ***