Wearable Activity Tracker Literature Review (January 2009 - July 2016)

Abstract : Wearable activity trackers (WATs) have become increasingly popular for their purported ability to provide users with real-time, tailored information about their daily health-related activities. These devices are portrayed as user-friendly and beneficial to well-being, which raises the question of their potential application for health promotion among military populations. However, the rapid evolution of WAT technology is outpacing efforts to test, evaluate, and validate these devices. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence on WAT reliability and validity for measuring physical activity (PA) and sleep, and the utility of incorporating WATs in behavior modification programs.