A study of more than 200,000 participants shows that digital tools are helping users take more steps, eat better and sleep better, creating new opportunities for fitness professionals.
A comprehensive new study combining data from more than 206,000 participants across 47 different studies highlights the potential for digital health tools to significantly improve multiple aspects of health and well-being. The findings are particularly important for fitness professionals who can leverage these tools to help their clients more effectively achieve their health goals.
The study, led by Dr Ben Singh from the University of South Australia, investigated the impact of electronic and mobile health interventions such as mobile apps, websites and text messages on physical activity, diet and sleep. The results were compelling, showing that these digital tools can lead to measurable improvements in several important health behaviours.
An increase of 1,329 steps per day An increase of 55 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week An increase of 45 minutes or more of physical activity per week A reduction of 7 hours of sedentary behavior per week A reduction of 103 calories consumed per day A 20% increase in daily fruit and vegetable consumption A reduction of 5.5 grams of saturated fat consumption per day A weight loss of 1.9 kg over 12 weeks Improved sleep quality and reduction in the severity of insomnia
These findings are particularly important given the growing global burden of chronic disease: According to the World Health Organization, one in eight people worldwide is now obese, 422 million people have diabetes, and cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death worldwide.
The study suggests that digital health tools may play an important role in addressing these challenges by promoting healthier behaviors.
“With preventable chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes on the rise, it is important to find mechanisms that can reduce people's risk,” said Singh. “Our study finds that digital and mobile health interventions can have a positive impact on people's health and well-being – not only by increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour, but also by improving diet and sleep quality.”
For fitness and wellness professionals, these results highlight the value of integrating digital health tools into their customer support strategies. By utilizing apps and other digital platforms, trainers can provide personalized and timely interventions that help clients stay active, improve their diet, and increase their overall quality of life.
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The study also highlights the scalability of digital health interventions, which can be used by diverse populations and shown to be effective across different age groups and health behaviors. This scalability may be particularly beneficial in public health campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of chronic disease.
While the findings are promising, Singh emphasized that further research is needed to better understand the specific impact these interventions have on different demographic groups. That said, the evidence suggests that digital health tools offer a valuable means of promoting healthier lifestyles, making them an important consideration for fitness professionals looking to enhance their service delivery and help their clients achieve their long-term health goals.
