Leading health company Discovery has offered a number of incentives to its clients over the years as a way of rewarding them as well as encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Discovery Vitality points were awarded to members for completing certain activities and reaching a number of set goals. In past years, the company had a rewards programme linked with RunKeeper as well as MapMyFitness.
The company has recently overhauled its entire points allocation system. As a result, RunKeeper and MapMyFitness Rewards have been delisted, along with miCoach, Moves, Strava and Timex as recognised apps or devices.
This comes after the company realised that members have been able to trick the system using devices like FitBit so that they were awarded the points and could maintain their goals with minimal effort. For example, it wasn’t beyond some members to strap their FitBit or similar device to their dog and let it do all the work.
For this reason, Discovery Vitality has clamped down on individuals who have tried to game the system.
These apps don’t distinguish between third-party data or self-reported data. So the apps actually compromise the accuracy and verifiability of the fitness data received. For the 2nd of April 2016, points will no longer be allocated to these apps.
If you are using MapMyFitness, you need to re-link your device directly to Vitality through the Discovery website or mobile app.
The new system will ensure that heart rate readings are monitored accurately.
Discovery said in a newsletter:
“Our new device strategy is part of our continuous efforts to update the Vitality programme in line with the latest health research as well as vulnerable technology advancements, by focusing on tracking clinically relevant, verified exercise data.”
The aim of the new programme that has been introduced is to help motivate and encourage Vitality members to get more active.