Identifying Evidence-Informed Physical Activity Apps: Content Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundRegular moderate to vigorous physical activity is essential for maintaining health and preventing the onset of chronic diseases. Both global rates of smartphone ownership and the market for physical activity and fitness apps have grown rapidly in recent years. The use of physical activity and fitness apps may assist the general population in reaching evidence-based physical activity recommendations. However, it remains unclear whether there are evidence-informed physical activity apps and whether behavior change techniques (BCTs) previously identified as effective for physical activity promotion are used in these apps.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify English and German evidence-informed physical activity apps and BCT employment in those apps.MethodsWe identified apps in a systematic search using 25 predefined search terms in the Google Play Store. Two reviewers independently screened the descriptions of apps and screenshots applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Apps were included if (1) their description contained information about physical activity promotion; (2) they were in English or German; (3) physical activity recommendations of the World Health Organization or the American College of Sports Medicine were mentioned; and (4) any kind of objective physical activity measurement was included. Two researchers downloaded and tested apps matching the inclusion criteria for 2 weeks and coded their content using the Behavioral Change Technique Taxonomy v1 (BCTTv1).ResultsThe initial screening in the Google Play Store yielded 6018 apps, 4108 of which were not focused on physical activity and were not in German or English. The descriptions of 1216 apps were further screened for eligibility. Duplicate apps and light versions (n=694) and those with no objective measurement of physical activity, requiring additional equipment, or not outlining any physical activity guideline in their description (n=1184) were excluded. Of the remaining 32 apps, 4 were no longer available at the time of the download. Hence, 28 apps were downloaded and tested; of these apps, 14 did not contain any physical activity guideline as an app feature, despite mentioning it in the description, 5 had technical problems, and 3 did not provide objective physical activity measurement. Thus, 6 were included in the final analyses. Of 93 individual BCTs of the BCTTv1, on average, 9 (SD 5) were identified in these apps. Of 16 hierarchical clusters, on average, 5 (SD 3) were addressed. Only BCTs of the 2 hierarchical clusters “goals and planning” and “feedback and monitoring” were identified in all apps.ConclusionsDespite the availability of several thousand physical activity and fitness apps for Android platforms, very few addressed evidence-based physical activity guidelines and provided objective physical activity measurement. Furthermore, available descriptions did not accurately reflect the app content and only a few evidence-informed physical activity apps incorporated several BCTs. Future apps should address evidence-ba...

Smartphone Apps Targeting Physical Activity in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Quality Appraisal and Content Analysis

“…Despite guidance for the development and evaluation of mobile apps [ 25 , 40 ], the quality ratings of the apps included in our review were mixed. This finding is consistent with reviews of publicly available rheumatology self-management apps [ 20 - 22 ] and apps targeting PA and exercise in the general population [ 41 , 42 ]. For example, Simoes et al [ 43 ] identified 51 moderate-quality PA apps for use by the general population (MARS total score 3.16 to 4.41) with the functionality and esthetics domains scoring most highly.…”

“…The other apps did not completely align with PA recommendations, similar to other research [ 41 , 42 ]. Common reasons for apps not completely adhering to the PA guidance were the lack of or incorrect specific PA dosages (eg, sets, repetitions).…”

“…All apps included some BCTs that may promote adherence to PA, and the higher-quality apps included a greater number of BCTs. No app contained more than 7 BCTs, which is similar to the findings of reviews of apps targeting PA in the general population [ 41 , 43 , 46 , 47 ]. Although the optimum number of BCTs needed to support PA adherence is not known, a recent systematic review including 8 randomized controlled trials (1018 participants) found that interventions with less than 7 BCTs were most effective at enhancing adherence to exercise in people with persistent musculoskeletal pain [ 48 ].…”

Why Reviewing Apps Is Not Enough: Transparency for Trust (T4T) Principles of Responsible Health App Marketplaces

“…Good developmental practices would involve all stakeholders (clinicians and the target audience) as well as using evidence-based guidance from the beginning and at all stages of development and testing. The absence of the use of guidance or standards has recently been noticed for physical activity and fitness apps where very few of the thousands of Android apps provided any measurement or used any of the accepted guidance [50]. We especially emphasize including the target audience.…”

FICO (Finding Coach): Android-Based Application

“…Along with the booming of smartphone ownership, there is an increase consumer interest in measuring physical activity (PA) which helps individuals in recording their daily activities through applications [20]. The benefits on Android smartphones in health aspect such as MyMedSchedule,…”