Encouraging an Active Lifestyle with Personal Mobile Devices: Motivational Tools and Techniques

Encouraging physical activity amongst different groups, age ranges and cultures can be a difficult task. As such research has been undertaken in order to find methods of allowing people to monitor their own activity levels and hence allow them to alter their lifestyle in such a way as they become more active. It is possible to achieve this aim through a number of methods, ranging for individual personal devices to making use of social groups and social feedback in order to further encourage physical activity through the notion that friends can also monitor our progress. In this review paper we look at some of the work undertaken in understanding the desire of those who wish to become more active, paying particular attention to those with sedentary lifestyles. We also take a look at the technologies and methods utilised to aid and motivate these people in achieving their goals.