The MIT Movement Project

Abstract

We present an experimental study investigating trends in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's physical activity patterns and factors affecting activity levels. Physical activity was measured using steps taken per day and the study was conducted using historical and collected data of 20 subjects. Step data was measured and stored in the iPhone Health application and submitted through a custom MIT Movement Project iPhone application. The results showed a correlation between steps taken and day of the week, with fewer steps being taken towards the middle of the class week. Additionally, steps variations occurred during major holidays and events. Temperature and rainfall also relate to steps taken with higher temperatures and less rain correlating with more steps taken. Furthermore, individual factors also affected an individual participant's daily step count. Higher stress levels correlated with fewer steps taken and less activity overall while fewer hours of sleep led to increased number of steps per day, likely due to the larger number of awake hours. To further increase physical activity levels on its campus, we recommend that MIT investigate the possibility of specific campaigns to target low-activity level time periods and look to expand its physical education programs for all members of its community.