Use of Fitness Trackers May Spur Exercise in Older Adults With MS

A study in the Disability & Health Journal found that older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) who use fitness trackers are noting greater amounts of physical activity, reports Medical Xpress . The researchers held a survey to evaluate fitness tracker use in 440 adults older than 60 with MS. Twenty-eight percent said they were fitness tracker users, and were more likely to report having relapsing-remitting MS, reduced disability, higher income, and higher rates of employment. There also were statistically significant differences in the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire total score and health-promoting physical activity score between fitness tracker users and those who did not use the trackers. A correlation also was observed between both scores and self-reported step counts among fitness tracker users. "Further research is warranted investigating fitness tracker use and interests among older adults with MS and how technology may be applied as a behavioral tool to increase physical activity among this growing portion of the MS population," the authors concluded.