title: Feasibility of using global positioning systems (GPS) with diverse urban adults: before and after data on perceived acceptability, barriers, and ease of use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Global positioning systems (GPS) have emerged as a research tool to better understand environmental influences on physical activity. This study examined the feasibility of using GPS in terms of perceived acceptability, barriers, and ease of use in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of lower socioeconomic position (SEP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were from 2 pilot studies involving a total of 170 African American, Hispanic, and White urban adults with a mean (standard deviation) age of 47.8 (±13.1) years. Participants wore a GPS for up to 7 days. They answered questions about GPS acceptability, barriers (wear-related concerns), and ease of use before and after wearing the GPS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found high ratings of GPS acceptability and ease of use and low levels of wear-related concerns, which were maintained after data collection. While most were comfortable with their movements being tracked, older participants (P < .05) and African Americans (P < .05) reported lower comfort levels. Participants who were younger, with higher education, and low incomes were more likely to indicate that the GPS made the study more interesting (P < .05). Participants described technical and wear-related problems, but few concerns related to safety, loss, or appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of GPS was feasible in this racially/ethnically diverse, lower SEP sample.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago.
authors.forename: Shannon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Zenk
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Odoms-Young
authors.forename: Joellen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilbur
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gamboa
authors.forename: Lani R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Wegrzyn
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hobson
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stokes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011204:Poverty Areas; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population