Examining the Feasibility of Smartphone Game Applications for Physical Activity Promotion in Middle School Students

Blackman, Kacie C.A.; Zoellner, Jamie; Kadir, Adil; Dockery, Brandon; Johnson, Scott; Almeida, Fabio A.; McCrickard, D. Scott; Hill, Jennie L.; You, Wen; Estabrooks, Paul A.

doi:10.1089/g4h.2014.0120

Cited by 17 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Following previous process evaluations of mHealth interventions in adolescents and young adults, the process evaluation focused on reach and dose received (exposure and satisfaction) (65)(66)(67) . According to Saunders et al, 'reach' refers to degree to which the intended priority audience participates in the intervention; 'exposure' refers to the extent to which the participants use the intervention; and 'satisfaction' refers to the satisfaction of the participants with the programme (45,47) .…”

Section: Process Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility and impact study of a reward-based mobile application to improve adolescents’ snacking habits

Cock

Lippevelde

Vangeel

et al. 2018

Public Health Nutr.

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Section: Process Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility and impact study of a reward-based mobile application to improve adolescents’ snacking habits

Cock

Lippevelde

Vangeel

et al. 2018

Public Health Nutr.

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“…of nontext information, were considered as very important by users, 59,67,84 whereas animation, that is, appearance of motion created by displaying a series of still images in sequence, was less important. 77 Graphics were liked when showing high resolution, 85 three-dimensional, 59,70,77 and realistic 59,74,75,86 ; having a cartoon look 86 ; colorful graphics 75 ; showing real movement 82 ; or animation in the background.…”

Section: Design Features and User Engagement Among Youthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…75 In general, adolescents highly valued the integration of music and sounds. 64 Well-liked types of music and sounds were ''spooky sounds,'' 68 60 Not well-liked types of music and sounds were a soundtrack, 74,77 songs that did not change, 84,87 and clicking sounds. 73 Language was mentioned as a feature that should not be inappropriate, 77 and not too simplistic.…”

Section: Design Features and User Engagement Among Youthmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Design Features Associated with User Engagement in Digital Games for Healthy Lifestyle Promotion in Youth: A Systematic Review of Qualitative and Quantitative Studies

Schwarz

Huertas‐Delgado

Cardon

et al. 2020

Games for Health Journal

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User engagement in digital (serious) games may be important to increase their effectiveness. Insights into how to create engaging games for healthy lifestyle promotion are needed, as despite their potential, not all digital (serious) games are highly engaging. This study systematically reviewed game features that were associated with higher user engagement among youth. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycARTICLES databases. Qualitative and quantitative studies were included, if they documented game features associated with youth engagement. Coding of game features was performed using the mechanics-dynamics-aesthetics (MDA) framework. A total of 60 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the registered systematic review (No. CRD42018099487). Results showed that various game features were associated with user engagement in digital (serious) games: an attractive storyline, adaptable to gender and age, including diverse (antagonist) characters the user may identify with, high-end realistic graphics, well-defined instructions, which can be skipped, in combination with clear feedback and a balance of educational and fun content. This review underpinned the relevance of investigating engaging game features specifically for youth, as deviations were found with characteristics that are engaging for other populations.

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“…Mobile phone games can be feasible for adolescents to use for promoting physical activity [ 25 ]. Gamification means using game design techniques, game principles, and mechanics, such as badges, points, levels, and leaderboards, to improve user engagement, learning, behavior change, and reaching goals [ 26 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility of Gamified Mobile Service Aimed at Physical Activation in Young Men: Population-Based Randomized Controlled Study (MOPO)

Leinonen¹,

Pyky²,

Ahola³

et al. 2017

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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BackgroundThe majority of young people do not meet the recommendations on physical activity for health. New innovative ways to motivate young people to adopt a physically active lifestyle are needed.ObjectiveThe study aimed to study the feasibility of an automated, gamified, tailored Web-based mobile service aimed at physical and social activation among young men.MethodsA population-based sample of 496 young men (mean age 17.8 years [standard deviation 0.6]) participated in a 6-month randomized controlled trial (MOPO study). Participants were randomized to an intervention (n=250) and a control group (n=246). The intervention group was given a wrist-worn physical activity monitor (Polar Active) with physical activity feedback and access to a gamified Web-based mobile service, providing fitness guidelines, tailored health information, advice of youth services, social networking, and feedback on physical activity. Through the trial, the physical activity of the men in the control group was measured continuously with an otherwise similar monitor but providing only the time of day and no feedback. The primary outcome was the feasibility of the service based on log data and questionnaires. Among completers, we also analyzed the change in anthropometry and fitness between baseline and 6 months and the change over time in weekly time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity.ResultsMobile service users considered the various functionalities related to physical activity important. However, compliance of the service was limited, with 161 (64.4%, 161/250) participants visiting the service, 118 (47.2%, 118/250) logging in more than once, and 41 (16.4%, 41/250) more than 5 times. Baseline sedentary time was higher in those who uploaded physical activity data until the end of the trial (P=.02). A total of 187 (74.8%, 187/250) participants in the intervention and 167 (67.9%, 167/246) in the control group participated in the final measurements. There were no differences in the change in anthropometry and fitness from baseline between the groups, whereas waist circumference was reduced in the most inactive men within the intervention group (P=.01). Among completers with valid physical activity data (n=167), there was a borderline difference in the change in mean daily time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity between the groups (11.9 min vs −9.1 min, P=.055, linear mixed model). Within the intervention group (n=87), baseline vigorous physical activity was inversely associated with change in moderate to vigorous physical activity during the trial (R=−.382, P=.01).ConclusionsThe various functionalities related to physical activity of the gamified tailored mobile service were considered important. However, the compliance was limited. Within the current setup, the mobile service had no effect on anthropometry or fitness, except reduced waist circumference in the most inactive men. Among completers with valid physical activity data, the trial had a borderline positive effect on moderate to vigorous physical activity. ...

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Examining the Feasibility of Smartphone Game Applications for Physical Activity Promotion in Middle School Students

Abstract: Smartphone games can be feasible for adolescents to use for PA. Lessons learned will be used to provide improvements for future game development and evaluation.

Cited by 17 publications

References 25 publications

Feasibility and impact study of a reward-based mobile application to improve adolescents’ snacking habits

Feasibility and impact study of a reward-based mobile application to improve adolescents’ snacking habits

Design Features Associated with User Engagement in Digital Games for Healthy Lifestyle Promotion in Youth: A Systematic Review of Qualitative and Quantitative Studies

Feasibility of Gamified Mobile Service Aimed at Physical Activation in Young Men: Population-Based Randomized Controlled Study (MOPO)

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