Compliance with Using the Apple Watch for Physical Activity Assessment by Adults with an Intellectual Disability

Cora J. Firkin^1, , Iva Obrusnikova¹ and Richard R. Suminski¹

¹Heath Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, 19717, USA

Cite this paper:
Cora J. Firkin, Iva Obrusnikova and Richard R. Suminski. Compliance with Using the Apple Watch for Physical Activity Assessment by Adults with an Intellectual Disability. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2023; 8(1):40-46. doi: 10.12691/jpar-8-1-7

Abstract

Although research-grade wearables are the predominant tool used to objectively assess physical activity (PA) for adults with an intellectual disability (ID), consumer-grade wearables, such as the Apple Watch® (AW), may hold promise. The objective was to evaluate the compliance of adults with ID with using the AW for PA assessment. The study used a descriptive, observational design. Nine adults with ID were instructed to use the AW Series 4 for a consecutive seven-day PA assessment. Behavioral strategies to support compliance included visual activity schedules and daily activity logs. Demographic, physical, functional, and cognitive/language characteristics were assessed. Heart-rate (HRC; ‘≥10hrs hourly heart rate’) and step-count (SCC; ‘between 1,703-24,369 steps/day’) compliance criteria were used to define valid days and reduce PA data (i.e., daily energy expenditure and steps). Log entries were coded as self-, caregiver- and researcher-written. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Six participants met the HRC and seven met the SCC for at least four days. Differences for all PA data were observed when reduced based on the HRC vs. SCC. Log entries were 57% researcher-, 40% self-, and 4% caregiver-written. Compliance was comparable to other research-grade wearables used for PA assessment by adults with ID. Additional individualized strategies may enhance compliance with the use of the AW. The findings support the need for an adapted activity log to encourage independent use by adults with ID.

Keywords:
activity log Apple Watch intellectual disability physical activity visual activity schedule wearable

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