sensors Article Exploring the Use of Mobile and Wearable Technology among University Student Athletes in Lebanon: A Cross-Sectional Study Marco Bardus 1, Cecile Borgi 2, Marwa El-Harakeh 2 , Tarek Gherbal 3,4, Samer Kharroubi 2 and Elie-Jacques Fares 2,* 1 Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
[email protected] 2 Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
[email protected] (C.B.);
[email protected] (M.E.-H.);
[email protected] (S.K.) 3 University Sports, Office of Student Affairs, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
[email protected] 4 Aman Hospital, Doha, Qatar * Correspondence:
[email protected] Abstract: The markets of commercial wearables and health and fitness apps are constantly growing globally, especially among young adults and athletes, to track physical activity, energy expenditure and health. Despite their wide availability, evidence on use comes predominantly from the United States or Global North, with none targeting college student-athletes in low- and middle-income Citation: Bardus, M.; Borgi, C.; countries. This study was aimed to explore the use of these technologies among student-athletes at El-Harakeh, M.; Gherbal, T.; the American University of Beirut (AUB). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 482 participants Kharroubi, S.; Fares, E.-J. Exploring (average age 20 years) enrolled in 24 teams during Fall 2018; 230 students successfully completed the Use of Mobile and Wearable the web-based survey, and 200 provided valid data.