An m-Health Intervention Using a Smartphone App to Improve Physical Activity in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial (P16-025-19)

Abstract

ObjectivesDetermine the efficacy of a 12-week mobile health (m-Health) intervention with the goal of increasing daily step counts on physical activity, improve body mass index (BMI), and body fat mass among college students. MethodsA 12- week randomized control trial was conducted. College students (n = 130) between 18–30 years of age were randomized to one of two conditions: Intervention (n = 65) and control (n = 65). All participants then had the Smartphone app downloaded onto their mobile phone to record their daily step count in order to provide a measurement of their baseline physical activity levels. Intervention group received physical activity goals of (10,000 step/day), information on the benefits of exercise, and automatic feedback. Control group received information on the benefits of exercise without any kind of intervention. The primary change was daily step count between baseline and follow-up. ResultsIn this study, there were no significant intervention effects for BMI, fat mass and % body fat. Significant intervention effects were found for body weight (mean ± SE: 0.419 ± 0.164; P = 0.013). Physical activity as expressed by step counts significantly increased from baseline to post intervention (10,022 weekly/step; P = 0.008). Despite this, post intervention changes in outcomes were not significantly different from controls. ConclusionsThe m-Health appeared to be feasible and acceptable. In this study, the results demonstrate that (m-Health) app can significantly increase physical activity in a college student sample by setting specific goal, using self monitoring and feedback. Funding SourcesNone.