Mobile Exercise Apps and Increased Leisure Time Exercise Activity: A Moderated Mediation Analysis of the Role of Self-Efficacy and Barriers

Abstract

BackgroundThere are currently over 1000 exercise apps for mobile devices on the market. These apps employ a range of features, from tracking exercise activity to providing motivational messages. However, virtually nothing is known about whether exercise apps improve exercise levels and health outcomes and, if so, the mechanisms of these effects.ObjectiveOur aim was to examine whether the use of exercise apps is associated with increased levels of exercise and improved health outcomes. We also develop a framework within which to understand how exercise apps may affect health and test multiple models of possible mechanisms of action and boundary conditions of these relationships. Within this framework, app use may increase physical activity by influencing variables such as self-efficacy and may help to overcome exercise barriers, leading to improved health outcomes such as lower body mass index (BMI).MethodsIn this study, 726 participants with one of three backgrounds were surveyed about their use of exercise apps and health: (1) those who never used exercise apps, (2) those who used exercise apps but discontinued use, and (3) those who are currently using exercise apps. Participants were asked about their long-term levels of exercise and about their levels of exercise during the previous week with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).ResultsNearly three-quarters of current app users reported being more active compared to under half of non-users and past users. The IPAQ showed that current users had higher total leisure time metabolic equivalent of task (MET) expenditures (1169 METs), including walking and vigorous exercise, compared to those who stopped using their apps (612 METs) or who never used apps (577 METs). Importantly, physical activity levels in domains other than leisure time activity were similar across the groups. The results also showed that current users had lower BMI (25.16) than past users (26.8) and non-users (26.9) and that this association was mediated by exercise levels and self-efficacy. That relationship was also moderated by perceived barriers to exercise. Multiple serial mediation models were tested, which revealed that the association between app use and BMI is mediated by increased self-efficacy and increased exercise.ConclusionsExercise app users are more likely to exercise during their leisure time, compared to those who do not use exercise apps, essentially fulfilling the role that many of these apps were designed to accomplish. Data also suggest that one way that exercise apps may increase exercise levels and health outcomes such as BMI is by making it easier for users to overcome barriers to exercise, leading to increased self-efficacy. We discuss ways of improving the effectiveness of apps by incorporating theory-driven approaches. We conclude that exercise apps can be viewed as intervention delivery systems consisting of features that help users overcome specific barriers.

Use of Fitness and Nutrition Apps: Associations With Body Mass Index, Snacking, and Drinking Habits in Adolescents

“…Fitness and nutrition apps usually do not alter behavior directly, but they contain specific features that focus on key behavioral determinants [18,19,25,31]. Important intermediate determinants of healthy eating habits in adolescents are attitude to eat healthy, behavioral control, social norm, and social support [9,32-34].…”

Effect of Values and Technology Use on Exercise

“…Those who exercise are more likely to agree with the statement "When I think of making plans for the future, my health is something I strongly consider" (HQ 1), "We all have a choice about how to lead our lives, and healthy habits are just one example of that" (HQ 4), but are more likely to disagree with "Health is a gift and there is not much I can do about it" (HQ 5) and "Sometimes I avoid getting my test results if I think it will be bad news" (HQ 6). These findings underscore the importance of the individual's belief in their innate ability to achieve goals or self-efficacy [38].…”

“…Indeed, the latest research shows a complex relationship between psychology, technology use, and exercise. Mediation analyses find that increased physical activity associated with health app use is related to feelings of self-efficacy [38], with yet other insights linking exercise to being extroverted, neurotic, and less agreeable [12,28], as well as having implications for mental health [48]. For a better understanding of the relationship between psychology, technology, and exercise, it is necessary to model users of new technologies [14] and to design effective health interventions.…”

The use of fitness trackers in the training process for increasing physical and functional abilities in athletes

“…Many researchers prove that users of digital applications are more likely to actively participate in independent physical activities [10] compared with those who do not use such applications for self-control [11].…”

“…Today, athletes of various ages are offered various mobile applications to individually increase the level of physical [9] and functional development [10,11]. The developers are focused on meeting the needs of any user through differentiation of the proposed load [12].…”