Abstract
Despite the known health benefits of regular physical activity engagement, most adults fall short of meeting the recommended guidelines. Implementing novel strategies to increase physical activity that are accessible, customized, scalable, and cost-effective is imperative from a public health perspective. Current research suggests that digital fitness may reduce many known barriers to physical activity. The opportunities for real-time social support in a time-effective solution, digital fitness interventions are a vehicle for intrinsic motivation and adherence if developed and designed with this intention. This presentation will review the unique social and coaching environment created within a digital setting and its influence on physical fitness outcomes and physical activity behaviors. We’ll review published, new research, and future directions that explores autonomy within digital fitness platforms, the ability to connect with others through various channels, and feedback integration that potentially builds feelings of competence. The audience will interact together to identify the most compelling factors in physical performance and health behavior change today and how to translate these factors into practice within technology platforms. As new AI-powered digital health and fitness tech products and programs continue to flood the market, demonstrating efficacy in improving physical and mental health outcomes and health behaviors is a challenge. This session will equip researchers and practitioners to apply research-driven strategies directly to industry product innovation.
Presenters
Susie ReinerPostdoctoral Scholar, College of Health Sciences: Sports Medicine Research Institute, University of Kentucky, New York, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
The Physiology, Kinesiology and Psychology of Wellness in its Social Context
KEYWORDS
Virtual Fitness, Exercise Adherence, Health Behavior, Physical Activity, Digital Health
