| Keywords |
Internet of Things ; Community ; Physical activity ; Programs ; Community health center |
| Abstract |
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a community-based physical activity (PA) program using the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Using the IoT, a community-based PA program provided information related to PA and health, organized a walking competition event and online communities for walking together, and provided food or beverage coupons available within the community as a reward when the participants reached PA goals. 114 adults voluntarily involved in this program and pre- and post-test. As a Control group, 60 adults who did not participate in this program in the same communities provided PA and health information and participated in pre- and post-test. At follow-up after 6 months, the participants of the community-based PA program were more active than before (p=0.027), while there was no significant difference in the control group (p=0.689). Additionally, there were no statistically significant difference in metabolic indicators including blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, High-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, and abdominal obesity. The results suggested that a community-based PA program using IoT can be a catalyst for promoting PA as populations based approach. There is also a need to develop multidimensional strategy for promotion PA and further study to related for long-term evaluation. |