The role of smartphones in encouraging physical activity in adults

Abstract

Lack of physical activity is a global public health issue. Behavioral change interventions utilizing smartphone applications (apps) are considered a potential solution. The purpose of this literature review was to: 1) determine whether smartphone-based interventions encourage the initiation of, and participation in, physical activity; 2) explore the success of interventions in different populations; and 3) examine the key factors of the interventions that successfully encouraged physical activity. Eight databases (Medline, Scopus, EBM Reviews–Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EBM Reviews–Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsycInfo, SportDISCUS, CINAHL, and EMBASE) were searched and studies reporting physical activity outcomes following interventions using smartphone apps in adults were included in the narrative review. Results were mixed with eight studies reporting increased physical activity and ten reporting no change. Interventions did not appear to be successful in specific populations defined by age, sex, country, or clinical diagnosis. There was no conclusive evidence that a specific behavioral theory or behavioral change technique was superior in eliciting behavioral change. The literature remains limited primarily to short-term studies, many of which are underpowered feasibility or pilot studies; therefore, many knowledge gaps regarding the effectiveness of smartphone apps in encouraging physical activity remain. Robust studies that can accommodate the fast pace of the technology industry are needed to examine outcomes in large populations.

Smartphone-Based Health Program for Improving Physical Activity and Tackling Obesity for Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…It also reported that the programs functioned positively for the thoughts, perceptions, strategies, and motivation to promote physical activity. According to the results of the review paper by Stuckey et al, [29], eight out of 18 studies applying smartphone-based interventions showed an increase in physical activity or steps. For young adults, we believed that as smartphone apps are able to always be with them, they could be effective behavior change support systems.…”

Key Elements of mHealth Interventions to Successfully Increase Physical Activity: Meta-Regression (Preprint)

“…We did not restrict year of publication, but we did restrict language to English or German. Furthermore, we searched reference lists of published reviews on the topic [13,14,18] and posted invitations to research communities in health psychology, sport psychology, social psychology, and sport science to contribute relevant studies.…”

“…In the domain of physical activity, mHealth interventions yield small to moderate effects [12], but so far, researchers were not able to pinpoint contextual elements that lead to greater intervention success in increasing PA [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Indeed, a wide range of interventions are implemented that often overlap with each other.…”

“…This is mostly because until recently, only a limited number of studies was available. Previous reviews and meta-analyses identified k=11 [14], k=19 [12] and k=18 [18] studies. These pools of studies only provide enough power to test two or three moderators in a meta-regression [20], so there was no feasible way to test the influence of each BCT.…”

In response to The role of smartphones in encouraging physical activity in adults

“…We read with great interest the article by Stuckey et al 1 entitled “The role of smartphones in encouraging physical activity in adults” recently published in the International Journal of General Medicine .…”