title: Technologies for physical activity self-monitoring: a study of differences between users and non-users.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different kinds of physical activity (PA) self-monitoring technologies are used today to monitor and motivate PA behavior change. The user focus is essential in the development process of this technology, including potential future users such as representatives from the group of non-users. There is also a need to study whether there are differences between the groups of users and non-users. The aims of this study were to investigate possible differences between users and non-users regarding their opinions about PA self-monitoring technologies and to investigate differences in demographic variables between the groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly selected from seven municipalities in central Sweden. In total, 107 adults responded to the Physical Activity Products Questionnaire, which consisted of 22 questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences between the users and non-users were shown for six of the 20 measurement-related items: measures accurately (p=0.007), measures with high precision (p=0.024), measures distance (p=0.020), measures speed (p=0.003), shows minutes of activity (p=0.004), and shows geographical position (p=0.000). Significant differences between the users and non-users were also found for two of the 29 encouragement items: measures accurately (p=0.001) and has long-term memory (p=0.019). Significant differences between the groups were also shown for level of education (p=0.030) and level of physical exercise (p=0.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With a few exceptions, the users and the non-users in this study had similar opinions about PA self-monitoring technologies. Because this study showed significant differences regarding level of education and level of physical exercise, these demographic variables seemed more relevant to investigate than differences in opinions about the PA self-monitoring technologies.
authors.affiliation: School of Innovation, Design and Engineering; School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Åkerberg
authors.affiliation: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Söderlund
authors.affiliation: School of Innovation, Design and Engineering.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindén
keywords: non-user; opinion; physical activity; technology; user