Walker Tracker Platform Pilot

The Walker Tracker platform offers synchronization with personal wearable step-counting devices, challenge maps and friendly competition, encouraging users to increase their physical activity steps.

Introduction:

The one-year agreement to bring 500 Walker Tracker licenses to the UC Davis community began in Fall 2018, with platform set-up occurring in the months prior to the launch. In the three following quarters, three map-based challenges were run with a step goal of 8,000 steps per day. Users were encouraged to make teams of four to six to encourage friendly competition across UC Davis. On Walker Tracker, a multitude of physical activities can be entered, and the platform converts these physical activity minutes into steps, making this platform accessible to more than just walkers. The platform also connects to various consumer wearable devices, including but not limited to, Apple Health for Apple Watches, Fitbit, and Garmin, allowing quick synchronization of steps. Challenges take the form of virtual geographic walking trails that span a state, a country, or the world.

Outcomes:

This project distributed 500 licenses across staff, faculty, and students that they could use for one year. During each of the three challenges, steps and engagement metrics were collected and analyzed. 

The popularity of the program, documented 22% increase in moderate-level physical activity, as well as a 28% increase in people participating in 150 minutes or more of vigorous-intensity activity, were factors which supported the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-being Program to adopt the program for the UC Davis employee population they serve. 

Opportunities for Involvement:

Opportunities for involvement continue with the Staff and Faculty Health and Well-being program. Check their website for updates.

Recent Milestones:

While the UC Davis vendor risk assessment process delayed the pilot for more than 6 months, after successful approval, the project had been consistently on-track.

The project team successfully offered three challenges: 

• 7 Natural Wonders Around the World: February 3 - March 17, 2019
• Celebrations Around the World: April 28 - June 8, 2019
• South American Journey: August 25 - October 6, 2019

Project Lead:

Stacey Brezing, MS, RCEP, NBC-HWC
Director of Staff and Faculty Health and Well-being
Occupational Health Services
sbrezing@ucdavis.edu