FAQ – Activity Tracking
Q. How does the Active Nudge measure sedentary behaviour?
A. Your DnaBean is fitted with an accelerometer which is designed to measure when you are not moving and when you are active. To get the most accurate and up to date information it is best to wear the Active Nudge during the day and sync it to your DnaNudge App whenever you want to see how long you have been sitting for. Whilst the DnaBean is switched off, if you swiftly move your arm up and down, the light will display a steady green light if you are meeting your steps per sitting time goal, or a steady amber light if you have been sedentary for too long today and need to be more active to change it to green.
Q. Is the DnaBean only used for when I am out shopping?
A. The DnaBean isn’t just for shopping; your sitting time can also affect your recommendations. If the DnaBean detects that you have been sitting too long, some products will have an amber recommendation. To get these recommendations back to green, break up sitting time throughout the day with periods of physical activity.
Q. What counts as sitting time and what does not?
A. The DnaBean accumulates the time of sitting throughout the day. This includes very light activity, such as typing on a computer. If you just sit for 5 minutes, this will not immediately be displayed in the sitting time count on the App, but it will be tracked and will display an updated sitting time when an additional half an hour of sitting time is accumulated. Like other wristbands, it uses wrist position and movement to estimate sitting. Any activity with your wrist in a horizontal position and resting will be counted as sitting. Some false positive activities may be counted as sitting, for example standing but the hands are put on a desk. The DnaBean will not record sitting time if is charging, if it’s not being worn (i.e. placed on a table), or if it is worn the incorrect way (i.e. scanner towards your body and not your hand). Additionally, if you are sitting with your Active Nudge on and are making strong arm movements, this can be interpreted as steps which would affect your sitting time.
Q. I have been exercising today; why does my DnaBean and Green DNA Bar show amber, not green?
A. If you sit for too long throughout the day, your Green DNA Bar becomes amber, as do some of your products, warning you that they are not recommended for you anymore. The Green DNA Bar allows you to set goals to be less sedentary throughout your day. Breaking up sitting time plays a key role in your health, so don’t be surprised if some recommendations for treat products turn from green to amber even if you’ve been exercising enough to meet the physical activity guidelines. Our algorithm measures prolonged sitting, which is its own independent factor for poor health. You can switch this function on or off in your DnaNudge App settings.
Q. Why does my step count vary from other activity devices? (ie. FitBit)
A. This is a common phenomenon when comparing activity trackers due to the different algorithms they use. Even two different Fitbit models, for example, will likely report different steps.
Q. I wore my Active Nudge while exercising, but it didn’t register it; why is this?
A. Your DnaBean is fitted with an accelerometer. It is designed to measure and distinguish when you are sedentary and when you are taking steps. It is not an ‘activity monitor’, which typically uses heart rate as an indicator of activity level. If you wear your Active Nudge on your arm while cycling, it will also not record this, but if you put it in/on your shoe the movement will be registered.