Smartphone reminders ‘can help address sedentary lifestyles’

A new pilot study has provided evidence of the benefits that smartphone reminders can offer in prompting people to live more active lifestyles.

The MD Anderson Cancer Center research saw participants given accelerometers to measure their movements and smartphones to carry for seven consecutive days. Those who sat for at least two hours during the previous day or were seated during their smartphone assessments received messages emphasising the health impact of prolonged sitting.

Over the seven-day period, participants utilising this tool recorded significantly fewer minutes of daily sedentary time and more daily minutes of active time than those in a control group.

Accelerometers recorded three percent less sedentary time than control participants, equal to about 25 minutes of time spent engaged in activity rather than in sedentary behaviour on any given day.

The authors said: "Simple smartphone prompts appear to be a promising strategy for reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing activity, though adequately-powered and well-designed studies will be needed to confirm these preliminary findings."

Given the ubiquity of smartphones, this could be a useful means for combating the significant health risks posed by prolonged sitting.