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Fitness

Special Olympics Fitness Evaluation: Physical Activity Wearables

Description: Physical activity wearables are the most accurate way to track changes in physical activity, sedentary time, sleep, and moderate to vigorous intensity activity. Wearables are also a fun tool for athletes that encourages physical activity monitoring and goal setting. Providing athletes with a wearable device can allow for on-going data monitoring before, during, and after fitness programming.

Target audience: Athletes and Unified partners

Length: On-going data capture

Measures:

  • Physical activity (i.e., moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity, light physical activity, types of activities, total daily steps) 
    • Physical activity during practice and fitness programming 
  • Sedentary time (i.e., time spent not moving during waking hours) 
  • Sleep patterns (i.e., daily hours of sleep)  

Implementation Instructions:

  • On your first day of fitness programming 
    • Provide athletes with their physical activity wearable and the guidance sheet (below). Take a few minutes to review the guidance sheet with athletes and caregivers. 
    • Help athletes sync their wearable to the SO FitNow app. The SO FitNow app instructions and video are provided below. 
  • During your fitness programming 
    • Encourage athletes to wear the device. 
    • Talk about physical activity goals and how they are using their device. This will support continued usage of the device throughout your fitness program.  
  • On your last day of fitness programming 
    • Make sure your athletes have their data synced to the SO FitNow app.  
    • Have a computer ready to help athletes that need their device synced.  

Results & Reports: Complete the following Fitness Evaluation Request Form if you would like data reports from SOI. The Research and Evaluation team will provide a link to your data. If you want detailed analyses of your pre/post data, the Research and Evaluation team will create a summary report for you! To receive data from SOI, athletes must be synced to the SOFIT Now app.

Physical Activity Wearable Resources

Physical Activity Wearable Guidance

Physical Activity Wearable Guidance for Athletes (DOCX)

SO FitNow

SO FitNow User Guide (PDF)
Getting Started in the SO FIT NOW App