Efficacy of consumer wearable activity trackers to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve cardiovascular health in a sedentary healthy population

Abstract

This study aimed to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve cardiovascular health outcomes in a sedentary population using a Polar-M200-activity tracker. Twenty-nine sedentary healthy adults (66.7% female, age: 51.4 ± 7.6years, BMI: 26.2 ± 3.4kg/m2) were randomized into the CON, CWAT or CWAT+ group. Baseline sitting time was 11.0 ± 0.9h/day. The primary outcome regarding sedentary behaviour was sitting time (h/day). Secondary outcomes were standing time, sit-to-stand transitions, step count and walking time. These outcomes were measured using the activPAL3TM. Additionally, vascular endothelial function, anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Total sitting time was significantly reduced (p=0.013) in the CWAT group (-1.1 ± 0.9h/day) and CWAT+ group (-2.2 ± 1.7h/day). Step count was significantly increased in both the CWAT (p=0.036) and CWAT+ group (p=0.018). Standing (p=0.049) and walking time (p=0.018) were only significantly increased in the CWAT+ group, compared to the CON and CWAT group. The reactive hyperemia index was significantly increased (p=0.012) in the CWAT+ group. Additionally, significant interaction effects according to sitting time (p=0.002) and RHI (p=0.016) were found in favour of the CWAT+ group. CWATs improve sitting time, with a greater effect over time in the CWAT+ group. Generally, this study reveals that CWATs may be a promising intervention in reducing sedentary behaviour and improving endothelial function in future health care.