The Role of Wearable Technology in Enhancing Physical Activity Participation Among Adolescents: An Investigation into Motivation, Behavioural Change, and Health Outcomes

Physical inactivity among adolescents remains a significant global health concern, with roughly 80% of youth aged 11–17 not meeting the World Health Organization’s guideline of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. Recent advances in wearable activity trackers (WATs) offer opportunities for self-monitoring, real-time feedback, and gamification that may help address this issue. However, evidence regarding whether wearables meaningfully change adolescent behaviour and health outcomes—especially in school settings—is mixed. This study seeks to evaluate the extent to which wearable technology enhances physical activity participation among adolescents, and to explore how motivational factors, behavioural change, and health outcomes are mediated by device features such as goal‐setting, feedback, and social support. A quasi-experimental intervention design was used, involving 120 adolescents (ages 13–17) from two secondary schools. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (wearable device + structured support) or control group (no device). Over 8 weeks, the intervention group used commercially available fitness trackers that recorded daily step counts and MVPA; features included goal setting, reminders, social challenges, and feedback. Data collection combined device-measured physical activity (steps, minutes of MVPA), plus validated questionnaires assessing motivation (Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire), behavioural intention, and health markers (body mass index, resting heart rate). Follow-up measures were taken immediately post-intervention and at 4 weeks after. Compared to controls, the intervention group had a significant increase in daily steps (mean increase ~1,800 steps/day; p < 0.01), but no statistically significant improvement in MVPA minutes per day. Motivational measures showed heightened intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy in the wearable group (p < 0.05). There was a modest but statistically non-significant reduction in resting heart rate; no change in BMI over the 8-week period. At 4-week follow-up, step counts remained elevated in the intervention group, though motivation scores had decreased somewhat toward baseline. These results suggest that wearable technology, when combined with structured support (goal-setting, feedback, social features), can increase low-intensity physical activity (e.g. walking)—which may be an important stepping stone toward greater MVPA among adolescents. However, boosting vigorous or moderate intensity activity appears more challenging. For VCE Physical Education, the findings highlight the value of combining behavioural techniques with wearable devices to address enablers and barriers to physical activity. In policy or school settings, implementing wearable-based programs may help reduce sedentary behaviour and promote more consistent physical engagement among adolescents, especially if supported by motivational and social components. Further research with longer durations, larger samples, and attention to device engagement/usage over time is needed to assess long-term health outcomes.