Usability of Mobile Phones in Physical Activity–Related Research: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: The use of mobile phones for physical activity (PA) promotion and assessment represents an attractive research area because this technology is characterized by a widespread reach and dynamic features. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of mobile phone -based approaches for encouraging and assessing PA. Methods: Eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed and PsycINFO and required to address the usability of mobile phones for PA promotion and/or measurement, be written in English, and be published in a peer-reviewed journal between 2010 and 2013. Results: Fiftytwo studies were included in this review. The use of mobile phones for PA promotion, assessment, and both promotion and assessment were addressed by 27, 19, and 6 studies, respectively. Out of 26 studies that reported a PA behavior change outcome, 13 observed favorable PA changes, 3 found mixed results, and 10 found no improvements. Ten studies examined the validity of mobile phones for PA assessment and 9 reported favorable outcomes. Participants found mobile phones to be highly acceptable. Discussion: The findings suggest that mobile phones have great potential as a PA promotion and assessment tool among a variety of individuals. Translation to Health Education Practice: Mobile phones may provide practitioners with efficient ways to promote PA and valid ways to assess PA.

Usability Studies on Mobile User Interface Design Patterns: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Becker [27] surveyed the best practices of mobile website design for library. Monroe et al [28] made a survey on the use of mobile phones for physical activities (e.g., exercising, walking, and running) and approaches for encouraging and assessing physical activities using mobile phones. Donner [29] reviewed mobile use in the developing world.…”

Use of Health Information and Communication Technologies to Promote Health and Manage Behavioral Risk Factors Associated With Chronic Disease: Applications in the Field of Health Education

“…Ten of the studies focused on the assessment of physical activity, and almost all of these (n ¼ 9) provided support for the validity of the mobile assessment tools. Based on their review, Monroe et al 46 suggested that mobile phones are becoming practical tools for efficiently delivering, monitoring, and evaluating physical activity interventions for promoting health and preventing chronic disease.…”

“…Challenges and opportunities stemming from the results of these studies are discussed within 7 papers published in the special issue. [46][47][48][49][50][51][52] In the first article, Monroe et al 46 conduct a systematic review of 52 peer-reviewed mobile phone -based interventions aimed at promoting or measuring physical activity for chronic disease prevention, weight loss/control, and chronic disease management. Text messaging was the most frequently tested mobile phone feature, followed by mobile applications (apps).…”

A Smartphone App to Promote an Active Lifestyle in Lower-Educated Working Young Adults: Development, Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility Study

“…Recent technologies such as smartphones, health and fitness apps, and consumer wearable activity trackers have great potential as tools for assessing and promoting PA in all age groups [16][17][18][19][20]. Smartphone apps can measure PA and AT and provide feedback in real time; provide interactive, individualized, and automatically generated content; and deliver materials on a device (ie, smartphone) that is already carried by the individual [21].…”