What these trackers really boil down to is accountability. They give you an instant accountability partner that provides up to the minute feedback regarding your movement, be it fuel, calories, or time. There are times when I feel like taking a day off. However, I know that that app is going to tell me that I did not reach my goal and it will irritate me. Instead of taking that day off, I alter my activities to still achieve my goal. Yes, that’s why I park at the far end of the parking lot on some days!
Now, what about kids? Well, I only have my own three pieces of “unscientific” data to examine. While they are EXTREMELY busy during the week with gymnastics and swimming, there are those weekends and off days at home. I can see where having an alarm go off every hour saying “move for 15 minutes” would refocus their energies off the technology that invades our lives on a daily basis. Most times they just need that little push to get going and they are active for the rest of the day.
I believe the KidFit may be a valuable tool in combating childhood obesity. Monitoring these devices during the school day could also enhance the amount of physical activity students get which is a target of many programs like Let’s Move! Active Schools and the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP). Perhaps parents can get a real idea of the actual amount of activity that their kids get at home, too.
What do you think?