Collecting and Validating Participant Data
Data collection and verification is the single most difficult task for any fitness challenge program.
ChallengeRunner solves your data collection problems by providing state-of-the-art systems for recording participant challenge data
all of which are included with your account:
Web Page
Internet-based data entry page provides a simple method for data entry regardless of challenge complexity
Smartphone
Smartphone interface wraps all of the participant webpage functionality into an easy-to-use app
Texting
Texting interface allows data entry from virtually any mobile phone and for those with limited Internet connectivity
Activity Tracker
ChallengeRunner now includes automatic data collection from Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin, Health Connect, COROS, Wahoo, Polar, Samsung Health, Withings (Nokia) and Strava
Access
While security and functionality were our two primary concerns when building ChallengeRunner, they were followed closely by usability.
Once a participant logs into ChallengeRunner, they are presented with one page that will allow them to enter and view data for multiple
dates and various challenge types. They can also view progress and current standings. Everything you and your users need in one, simple
package.
Apps
Our ChallengeRunner iPhone and Android apps are currently available free of charge from Apple App Store Google Play app store. After a one-time easy login,
users are able to quickly enter their participant data from anywhere. Full functionality means that the app will work for any
challenge types.
Connectivity
The texting interface was a suggestion we implemented for countries where Internet connectivity can be spotty at best. It also proved
convenient when a user just needs to send in a text message to record a simple data entry for the day. While not appropriate for every
challenge type, it can be a great option for steps walked, activity minutes, and current weight.
Automated
ChallengeRunner has partnered with Apple Health, Fitbit, Garmin, Health Connect, MapMtFitness, COROS, Wahoo, Oura, Polar, Samsung Health, Strava, Suunto, and Withings (Nokia) to provide seemless, no touch, data collection for
your fitness challenge. Participants simply allow any of these activity trackers to send collected data to ChallengeRunner through their
profile and their challenge activity is recorded automatically!
Verification
Verifying data entries can be as important as data collection since a simple typo can completely skew and invalidate a challenge.
ChallengeRunner handles data validation in two ways: data entry and data reporting. Administrators can set upper and lower bounds for
data being entered which can stop 5000 steps from turning into 50,000 steps and keeps the challenge competitive. The challenge admin
may also allow the system to automatically warn the user if their entry falls outside of the normal statistical range. Similarly, the
View Activity Data report allows admins to view all participant data in a scatter chart so that they can quickly see any abnormal data entries.
Safety & Security
Data collection doesn't end with gathering and validating participant data. To keep your participant data safe and comply with HIPAA
and HITECH laws, personal health information must be kept safe during transmission and storage. To that end, all data sent to and from
ChallengeRunner and the users browser or smartphone is encrypted using the same HTTPS technology used by your bank. Furthermore, all
challenge data, regardless if it is "number of steps" or "weight in pounds", is encrypted on our database. To go a step further, we
store the bare minimum information about both our clients and their employees.