Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People

Marco D'Addario,Andrea Greco,Patrizia Steca,Dario Baretta,Francesco Zanatta

doi:10.2196/20460

Abstract

BackgroundEngagement with physical activity mobile apps has been reported to be a core precondition for their effectiveness in digital behavior change interventions. However, to date, little attention has been paid to understanding the perspectives, needs, expectations, and experiences of potential users with physical activity mobile apps.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the features that are judged to be important for engagement with a physical activity mobile app and the reasons for their importance.MethodsA qualitative focus-group methodology with elements of co-design was adopted in this study. Participants reporting sedentary lifestyles and willingness to improve their physical activity behavior through mobile technology were recruited. The focus group sessions consisted of 13 participants (8 men and 5 women, mean [SD] age 41.9 [7.1] years). Two researchers conducted the data analysis independently by using the inductive thematic approach.ResultsFour main themes emerged in relation to the research question and were named as follows: “physical activity participation motives,” “autonomy and self-regulation,” “need for relatedness,” and “smart.” Additionally, 2 subthemes originated from “physical activity participation motives” (ie, “medical guidance” and “weight loss and fitness for health”) and “smart” (ie, “action planning” and “adaptable and tailored”).ConclusionsFeatures enhancing autonomy and self-regulation and positively affecting health and physical well-being as well as the need for relatedness, adaptability, and flexibility should be considered as core elements in the engagement of potential users with physical activity mobile apps. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.

Highlights

BackgroundRegular physical activity is widely recognized as a protective factor against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer [1,2,3]
Features enhancing autonomy and self-regulation and positively affecting health and physical well-being as well as the need for relatedness, adaptability, and flexibility should be considered as core elements in the engagement of potential users with physical activity mobile apps
Four themes were developed in relation to the research question and were named as follows: “physical activity participation motives,” “autonomy and self-regulation,” “need for relatedness,” and “smart.” Two subthemes were developed in relation to the “physical activity participation motives” theme: “medical guidance” and “weight loss and fitness.”

Summary

Introduction

BackgroundRegular physical activity is widely recognized as a protective factor against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer [1,2,3]. Behavior change interventions that increase physical activity have been shown to be effective [5], and diverse findings supporting their cost-effectiveness have been reported [6]. Most of these interventions have been delivered with a face-to-face methodology, which is considered, for intrinsic reasons, unsuitable for targeting large populations and supporting behavior change in ecological settings. Engagement with physical activity mobile apps has been reported to be a core precondition for their effectiveness in digital behavior change interventions. To date, little attention has been paid to understanding the perspectives, needs, expectations, and experiences of potential users with physical activity mobile apps

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Discussion

Conclusion