Can Use of an Online Leaderboard Increase Physical Activity of Users of Wrist Worn Fitness Trackers?
Abstract
Nowadays, obesity and the health risks associated with it are growing problems. The solution may lie in the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs., 2002)). The ideal solution is that people take better care of their bodies by ensuring they engage in minimal physical activity every day. In this study, the researcher sought to understand if using a gamification element through an online leaderboard positively influences users to increase their physical activity. As a part of this study, the researcher developed an online fitness leaderboard that reported activity data collected from wrist-worn fitness trackers worn by the participants. Using the data collected during the study, the researcher examined how much the physical activity increased of the study’s participants.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Harriger, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Physical education|Computer science
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