How fitness trackers help older adults get moving: What really drives behavior change

What is it about?

This study explored how older adults in Singapore reacted to using fitness trackers and how those reactions influenced their physical activity. Researchers interviewed 22 people aged 55 to 72 after they took part in a six-week experiment involving personalized feedback from their trackers and support from their spouses. The team identified a four-stage process that explains how feedback affects users: it first grabs attention and thought (cognitive), then triggers emotions (affective), leads to decisions (conative), and eventually becomes intuitive. Whether people turned their internal reactions into action depended on three types of decisions about their goals. The study offers a deeper look into how fitness trackers motivate action, not just if they do—shedding light on the psychological steps behind increased activity.

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Why is it important?

Many older adults use fitness trackers, but little is known about the process by which these tools lead to real behavior change. This study “opens the black box” and shows that it’s not just seeing numbers that matters—it’s how users think, feel, and decide in response to feedback that drives change. Understanding these inner mechanisms can help designers, health professionals, and caregivers better support older adults in staying active through more thoughtful use of technology.