Impact of the utilization of activity trackers and student coaches to enhance health and
wellness within a worksite wellness program at a large Midwestern University
C. Kennedy-Armbruster, PhD, Lisa Hoffman, MS, Department of Kinesiology
Patty Hollingsworth, BS, Healthy IU, Indiana University
ABSTRACT
TRACKING DEVICES
Organization: This case study occurred during the 2013 Fall
semester as a supplement to the Healthy IU Learn over Lunch
series being offered at Indiana University, Bloomington, through the
Healthy Change Worksite Wellness Initiative.
Question: During a normal 8 week work day, how
many times are you able to get up and move around
for any reason?
60%
Summary of the primary program: 23 employees acquired
activity trackers (Fitbits/Jawbone UP’s) after completing a five part
learn over lunch series on health/wellness topics. The employees
were also given a student health coach (trained in the use of
activity trackers) for 8 weeks.
Explanation of the evaluation plan: Selected evaluation
questions taken from the IU Workplace survey as well as
qualitative technology survey questions were administered pre/post
to access the impact of the activity trackers/coaching on the health
and well-being of the participants.
Summary of program impact: Self-reported perception of sleep
changed with 52% pre-test and 67% post-test stating they always
and mostly get enough restful sleep to function; 60% pre-test and
76% post-test reported getting up at work >5 times a day.
Qualitative activity tracker analysis revealed the participants liked
the sleep tracking portion of the activity trackers the best.
ORGANIZATION
During the Fall semester 2013, six graduate students and ten
invited undergraduate students at Indiana University
participated in a service learning academic class. Students
were paired up with 23 employees who had just completed a
six part series Learn over Lunch program (see example)
offered through the Healthy IU employee wellness program at
Indiana University, Bloomington campus. Healthy IU
participants were given activity trackers (jawbones or fitbits) in
order to enhance the sustainability of their efforts towards
improving their lifestyles. Students in the service learning class
had utilized an activity tracker in class for 6 weeks prior to
working with the Healthy IU clients in order to gain knowledge
on how to use the trackers. Students were then paired with
Healthy IU clients for an 8 week period to “coach” them using
the activity trackers and the knowledge gained on coaching
during their academic class.
SUMMARY OF PRIMARY
PROGRAM
Health coaches included workplace workouts, walking, and email correspondence in their intervention strategies.
Educational sessions on activity trackers was informal and
included friending the participants as well as teaching how to
use different programs on the activity trackers.
50%
40%
30%
EXPLANATION OF
EVALUATION PLAN
 Prior to participating in this coaching/activity tracker
project, clients were sent a health information form that
included questions from the campus wide IU workplace
wellness survey:
 http://www.pbhealth.iupui.edu/index.php/research/bhe
althy/results/
 Upon completing the eight week coaching/activity tracker
program the same survey was then administered by
coaches.
 Data was compiled via a Qualtrics survey to compare
pre/post survey results.
Pre
Post
20%
10%
0%
0-2
3-5
5-7
>8
Question: How often do you get enough restful sleep
to function well in your job/life?
70%
60%
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM
IMPACT
50%
40%
Pre
Post
30%
We were surprised that sleep ended up being the focus for so
many clients. We learned that activity trackers can do much
more than track movement. The sleep tracking and nutrition
monitoring is also a part of these devices. We also learned that
bringing coaches into the workplace setting had an impact on
how many times they felt they could get up and move around
during the day. This group actually created a “hotel walk” as
their building was an old hotel. They walked one flight of stairs;
walked the hallway; and did this several times a day to get
their movement in during the workday. We see promise
combining coaches going into the workplace setting and
helping to monitor and improve healthy lifestyles utilizing
activity trackers. This is our first study; which will continue on
as we work with more clients in the future. We hope to learn
more about the impact of the combination of activity trackers
and coaching within a worksite wellness setting.
20%
10%
0%
Always
Most of the
Time
Sometimes
Rarely
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Special thanks to the Indiana University employees,
Healthy IU program, and SPH academic class coaches
Enrolled in the K565 course on Counseling and Leadership