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

10.2196/20460 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e20460
Author(s):  
Marco D'Addario ◽  
Dario Baretta ◽  
Francesco Zanatta ◽  
Andrea Greco ◽  
Patrizia Steca
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Participation Motives

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.

scholarly journals Engagement Features in Physical Activity Smartphone Apps: Focus Group Study With Sedentary People (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco D'Addario ◽  
Dario Baretta ◽  
Francesco Zanatta ◽  
Andrea Greco ◽  
Patrizia Steca
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions ◽  
Participation Motives

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.

scholarly journals Using formative research with older adults to inform a community physical activity programme: Get Healthy, Get Active

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
George J. Sanders ◽  
Brenda Roe ◽  
Zoe R. Knowles ◽  
Axel Kaehne ◽  
Stuart J. Fairclough
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Retirement Home

Abstract Aim The purpose of this formative study was to explore current knowledge and attitudes towards physical activity, as well as perceived barriers, facilitators and opportunities for physical activity participation among older adults living in the community. The findings have subsequently informed the design, delivery and recruitment strategies of a local community physical activity intervention programme which forms part of Sport England’s national Get Healthy, Get Active initiative. Background There is a growing public health concern regarding the amount of time spent in sedentary and physical activity behaviours within the older adult population. Methods Between March and June 2016, 34 participants took part in one of six focus groups as part of a descriptive formative study. A homogenous purposive sample of 28 community dwelling white, British older adults (six male), aged 65–90 years (M=78, SD=7 years) participated in one of five focus group sessions. An additional convenience pragmatic sub-sample of six participants (three male), aged 65–90 years (M=75, SD=4 years), recruited from an assisted living retirement home participated in a sixth focus group. Questions for focus groups were structured around the PRECEDE stage of the PRECEDE–PROCEDE model of health programme design, implementation and evaluation. Questions addressed knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards physical activity, as well as views on barriers and opportunities for physical activity participation. All data were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was then conducted with outcomes represented as pen profiles. Findings Consistent views regarding both the potential physical and psychosocial benefits of physical activity were noted regardless of living status. The themes of, opportunities and awareness for physical activity participation, cost, transport, location and season/weather varied between participants living in an assisted living retirement home and community dwelling older adults. Further comparative research on the physical activity requirements of older adults living in assisted living versus community settings are warranted.

scholarly journals Relations Between Autonomous Motivation and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Participation: The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation Techniques

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Nurmi ◽  
Martin S. Hagger ◽  
Ari Haukkala ◽  
Vera Araújo-Soares ◽  
Nelli Hankonen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Autonomous Motivation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Coping Planning

This study tested the predictive validity of a multitheory process model in which the effect of autonomous motivation from self-determination theory on physical activity participation is mediated by the adoption of self-regulatory techniques based on control theory. Finnish adolescents (N = 411, aged 17–19) completed a prospective survey including validated measures of the predictors and physical activity, at baseline and after one month (N = 177). A subsample used an accelerometer to objectively measure physical activity and further validate the physical activity self-report assessment tool (n = 44). Autonomous motivation statistically significantly predicted action planning, coping planning, and self-monitoring. Coping planning and self-monitoringmediated the effect of autonomous motivation on physical activity, although self-monitoring was the most prominent. Controlled motivation had no effect on self-regulation techniques or physical activity. Developing interventions that support autonomous motivation for physical activity may foster increased engagement in self-regulation techniques and positively affect physical activity behavior.

scholarly journals When Adults Don’t Exercise: Behavioral Strategies to Increase Physical Activity in Sedentary Middle-Aged and Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margie E Lachman ◽  
Lewis Lipsitz ◽  
James Lubben ◽  
Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa ◽  
Alan M Jette
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Behavioral Strategies ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Behavior Change Interventions

Abstract Physical activity is one of the most promising nonpharmacological, noninvasive, and cost-effective methods of health-promotion, yet statistics show that only a small percentage of middle-aged and older adults engage in the recommended amount of regular exercise. This state of affairs is less likely due to a lack of knowledge about the benefits of exercise than to failures of motivation and self-regulatory mechanisms. Many types of intervention programs target exercise in later life, but they typically do not achieve sustained behavior change, and there has been very little increase in the exercise rate in the population over the last decade. The goal of this paper is to consider the use of effective low-cost motivational and behavioral strategies for increasing physical activity, which could have far-reaching benefits at the individual and population levels. We present a multicomponent framework to guide development of behavior change interventions to increase and maintain physical activity among sedentary adults and others at risk for health problems. This involves a personalized approach to motivation and behavior change, which includes social support, goal setting, and positive affect coupled with cognitive restructuring of negative and self-defeating attitudes and misconceptions. These strategies can lead to increases in exercise self-efficacy and control beliefs as well as self- management skills such as self-regulation and action planning, which in turn are expected to lead to long-term increases in activity. These changes in activity frequency and intensity can ultimately lead to improvements in physical and psychological well-being among middle-aged and older adults, including those from underserved, vulnerable populations. Even a modest increase in physical activity can have a significant impact on health and quality of life. Recommendations for future interventions include a focus on ways to achieve personalized approaches, broad outreach, and maintenance of behavior changes.

scholarly journals Unveiling barriers and facilitators to physical activity participation among urban Indian men

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Rathi ◽  
M Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
The Body ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Urban Indian ◽  
Indian Men

Abstract Purpose Regular participation in physical activity is critical for nurturing optimum health and well-being. It also prevents the onset of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases. Indeed, urban Indian men are more prone to these chronic illnesses as most of them lead a very sedentary lifestyle. Thus, a public health priority is to increase physical activity levels among sedentary urban Indian men. With this objective in mind, an exploratory study was designed to understand men's perspective of physical activity and the factors influencing physical activity participation. Methods Five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with adult men (n = 26; age: 20-60 years) between August and November 2019. The participants were recruited from Mumbai Metropolitan Area through snowballing. All the FGDs were audio-recorded and conducted in both Hindi and English. The audio recordings were transcribed and translated. Content analysis was used to obtain frequencies of different barriers and facilitators. Thematic analysis was applied to cluster responses, identify themes in the data, and build an explanation from the FGDs. Results All the participants perceived the need to participate in physical activity as it was associated with a better quality of life. Commonly identified facilitators were health benefits, physical appearance, and adequate facilities in the neighbourhood to engage in physical activity. Self-reported barriers included lack of time because of hectic work schedules and commuting, laziness, physical activity not viewed as a priority, and engagement with mobile phones. Conclusions The emerging findings can inform the development of a physical activity intervention to support behaviour change as well as ensure its sustainability among inactive urban Indian men. This qualitative inquiry contributes to the body of knowledge on physical activity in a culture that is relatively underrepresented in the current literature. Key messages Physical activity was influenced by multiple factors at multiple levels i.e. intrapersonal level, interpersonal level, and community level. There is a need to design effective public health interventions to increase physical activity and thereby control the prevailing disease burden.

scholarly journals Self-regulation resources and physical activity participation among adults with type 2 diabetes

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 205510291775033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Castonguay ◽  
Paule Miquelon ◽  
François Boudreau
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Model Building ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Ego Depletion ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Physical Activity Participation ◽  
Activity Participation ◽  
Health Related

Physical activity plays a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it is important to understand why so few adults with type 2 diabetes regularly engage in physical activity. The role of self-regulation in the context of health-related behavior adherence, especially in terms of physical activity engagement and adherence, has largely been reviewed based on the strength energy model. Building on this line of research, the aim of this theoretical work was to highlight how self-regulation and ego depletion can influence the lower rate of physical activity participation among adults with type 2 diabetes, compared to adults from the general population.

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