Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People.
co-design
engagement
mobile phone
physical activity
smartphone app
thematic analysis
Journal
JMIR mHealth and uHealth
ISSN: 2291-5222
Titre abrégé: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 101624439
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
16 11 2020
16 11 2020
Historique:
received:
19
05
2020
accepted:
15
10
2020
revised:
18
08
2020
entrez:
16
11
2020
pubmed:
17
11
2020
medline:
16
4
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Engagement 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. The 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. A 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. Four 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"). 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. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Engagement 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.
OBJECTIVE
The 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.
METHODS
A 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.
RESULTS
Four 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").
CONCLUSIONS
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. The emerged findings may orient future research and interventions aiming to foster engagement of potential users with physical activity apps.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33196450
pii: v8i11e20460
doi: 10.2196/20460
pmc: PMC7704278
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
e20460Informations de copyright
©Marco D'Addario, Dario Baretta, Francesco Zanatta, Andrea Greco, Patrizia Steca. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 16.11.2020.
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