The Wearable Informatics Laboratory in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, in conjunction with the School of Nursing, at NAU, is seeking to recruit individuals who are pregnant for a Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative and The College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences – Health + Engineering Seed Project funded research study. This email has been approved by IRB.
What are we studying?
We are specifically interested in developing valid and accurate methods to track physical activity in free-living conditions in individuals who are pregnant. These methods can then be used to quantify physical activity during pregnancy and see how it is related to other factors in a variety of environments. We will ask you to wear four monitors for 14 days so we can track your physical activity. This data will then be used to develop statistical models to correct for inaccuracies in the Fitbit Sense Smartwatch.
The orientation to the study will take about 2 hours. We will collect demographic data and information about your pregnancy from you at the beginning of and throughout the study. We will periodically ask you to complete some surveys about your feelings about your body, exercise, and some childhood experiences . It should take about 30 minutes each time to complete the surveys. You will wear the four monitors (Waist and wrist ActiGraphs, Polar heartrate monitor & Fitbit Sense Smartwatch) for 14 days and then we will ask you to continue to wear the Fitbit Sense Smartwatch throughout your pregnancy and for a year postpartum.
In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old, pregnant, and be able to read and speak English.
Why is this research important?
A valid and reliable method is needed to measure physical activity in individuals who are pregnant to improve the ability of researchers to measure the intensity, duration, and volume of exercise performed during pregnancy. This research will provide better data to help pinpoint the minimum amount of exercise required for a beneficial effect and when excessive exercise becomes detrimental to maternal and fetal outcomes. The ability to obtain valid data on exercise habits during pregnancy will allow researchers to determine which factors are associated with healthy and unhealthy exercise behaviors and where and when it is safe to exercise in a variety of environments.
Contact information:
You will be compensated with a Fitbit Sense Smartwatch for participating in the study through the end of 6 weeks of postpartum. If you are interested, please call our Dr. Beth McManis at (928) 523-8186 or Dr. Kyle Winfree (928) 523-7165, email at WinfreeLab@nau.edu, or complete the form at https://forms.gle/Noqo8iRU9Rt3N7Tb7 to see if you qualify. Drs. Beth McManis and Kyle N. Winfree are the Principal Investigators of the study. If you have any questions about this research, you may reach them directly at WinfreeLab@nau.edu.