Monitoring Physical Activity to Improve Well-Being and Promote Healthy Lifestyles. A Pilot Study to Test the Concordance Between Self-report Vs. Objective Measures Provided by Wearable Technologies

Abstract

This study provides new insights into how wearable technology, embodied empowerment, and sport measurability interact to shape the alignment between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity. The analyses were conducted on a sample of adults (N = 60; Mage = 29.5; SD = 13.8), using Pearson’s correlations, linear regression analyses, t-tests, and moderation models. The results suggest that higher levels of body extension and adherence to wearable use improve the alignment between self-reported physical activity and objective data, particularly for physical behaviors that are easier to measure. Further analyses revealed that the type and intensity of physical activity appear to influence objective measurements collected via wearables, independently of adherence. Specifically, high-intensity sports tended to be underestimated even when devices were used consistently. At the same time, decreases reported in self-reported activity may reflect not only actual reductions in behavior, but also a more realistic appraisal of one’s own activity after one week of wearable use, as well as the systematic underestimation associated with certain types of activities. These findings contribute to the understanding of behavior change facilitated by digital health technologies, highlighting that both device design and users’ cognitive and motivational engagement are crucial for promoting accurate self-monitoring, reinforcing physical activity, and potentially sustaining long-term behavioral change.