Transforming how children and parents engage with physical activity through smart fitness technology.
Location: Renfrewshire
Ralston Primary Out of School Care’s Kids Digital Fitness project is transforming how children and parents engage with physical activity through smart fitness technology. Funded by the £600,000 5G Glasgow City Region (GCR) Smart and Connected Social Places Innovation Fund, the initiative aims to increase children’s activity levels, enhance parental awareness, and create long-term fitness habits through data-driven insights.
The Challenge
Scottish children today are spending less and less time engaging in physical activities, leading to long-term health risks and putting increasing pressure on healthcare services. Research highlights that digital tools can play a crucial role in motivating children to become more active, especially when parents are involved, helping children to develop skills and habits that benefit their physical and mental health and wellbeing both immediately and into later life.
The Innovation
The project has equipped 140 children from ages 5 to 11 with smart fitness trackers, and providing parental training and education, in order to track the physical activity levels of the children. Data from the trackers has then been leveraged to inform and design engaging activities tailored to the children’s needs and preferences, helping to them to become more active.
- 140 Smart Fitness Trackers: Used to monitor daily activity and progress.
- Parental Engagement Training: Sessions designed to help parents support their child’s fitness journey.
- Data-Driven Activities: Insights from the trackers shape targeted physical activities tailored to the children’s needs.
The project is a partnership between key organisations including:
- Get Active Coaching: delivering fitness activities and workshops.
- OneRen (Renfrewshire Council): providing access to local sports facilities and professional coaches.
- Engage Renfrewshire: supporting data analysis and reporting.
The project has informed the design of new, engaging fitness activities which encourage the children to remain active. By encouraging increased movement and engagement, the project promotes positive physical and mental wellbeing, helping the children to form habits that will continue to have a positive impact into later life.
Key results from the project will be shared at the Innovation Showcase Event on the 13 March 2025 in Glasgow. Find out more and register to attend.
For more information on the Innovation Fund, please contact Glasgow City Region at glasgowcityregion@glasgow.gov.uk
