Mobile cloud-based physical activity advisory system using biofeedback sensors

Physical inactivity has gained a wide attention due to its negative influence on human wellness. Physical activity advisory systems consider a promising solution for this phenomenon. In this paper, we propose a mobile cloud-based physical activity advisory system utilizing biofeedback sensors and environmental context data based on calories expenditure from performing various activities by tracking user's physical movements. To evaluate the proposed system, we conducted in total a three-month experiment on six users. For each user, we tracked the amount of burnt calories from the physical movements for a two-week period. During the first week, the system did not send any advice, while during the second week, the system was advising the user on activities to perform. The compared results of the two weeks collected data (without and with advice) reflect the positive effect of the proposed system on participants' physical activity level. The system motivates them to reach or exceed the recommended number of calories to be burned daily. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.