Adolescents' Perspectives on Smartphone Applications for Physical Activity Promotion: Insights from Focus Group Discussions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v56.104357

Keywords:

Children and adolescents, Physical Activity; PA Apps; Behaviour Chance Techniques.

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores how children and adolescents perceive physical activity (PA) and PA apps. We aim to understand their perceptions, past experiences, and expectations of PA and PA apps. Methods: Participants (N=39) aged 11-15 from five European countries: Netherlands (NL), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Spain (ES), and Sweden (SWE) participated in the study. They provided insight regarding Behaviour Chance Techniques (BCTs) that enhance app engagement. Results: The results offer valuable insights for creating fun and engaging adolescent PA apps that meet diverse user preferences. They also provide invaluable guidance for designing PA apps that boost adolescents' enjoyment, fun, and engagement while considering a broad spectrum of user preferences. Key BCTs identified as significantly impacting app engagement included self-monitoring, rewards, feedback, social support, action planning, and reminders - preferences and suggestions varied by gender, age, and PA levels. Conclusions: Findings in the present study inform the MOVE4FUN project that contributes to understanding how BCTs promote sustained PA in adolescents. It underscores the pivotal role of personalised app design and a supportive climate in fulfilling individual needs and intrinsic goals. These insights contribute significantly to developing educational tools that encourage regular PA and nurture the holistic development of physically educated citizens.

Keywords: Children and adolescents, Physical Activity; PA Apps; Behaviour Chance Techniques.

References

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Bull, F., Al-Ansari, S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K., Buman, M., Cardon, G., Carty, C., Chaput, J., Chastin, S., Chou, R., Dempsey, P., DiPietro, L., Ekelund, U., Firth, J., Friedenreich, C., Garcia, L., Gichu, M., Jago, R., Katzmarzyk, P., . . . Willumsen, J. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med, 54(24), 1451-1462. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2020-102955

Bunn, J. A., Navalta, J. W., Fountaine, C. J., & Reece, J. D. (2018). Current State of Commercial Wearable Technology in Physical Activity Monitoring 2015-2017. Int J Exerc Sci, 11(7), 503-515.

CDC. (2018). Data Collection Methods for Program Evaluation: Focus Groups. http://www.cdc.gov/ healthyyouth/evaluation/index.htm.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (SAGE, Ed. Fourth edition ed.).

Direito, A., Dale, L., Shields, E., Dobson, R., Whittaker, R., & Maddison, R. (2014). Do physical activity and dietary smartphone applications incorporate evidence-based behaviour change techniques? BMC Public Health, pp. 14, 646. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-646

Domin, A., Ouzzahra, Y., & Vögele, C. (2022). Features and Components Preferred by Adolescents in Smartphone Apps for the Promotion of Physical Activity: Focus Group Study. JMIR Hum Factors, 9(2), e33972. https://doi.org/10.2196/33972

Domin, A., Spruijt-Metz, D., Theisen, D., Ouzzahra, Y., & Vögele, C. (2021). Smartphone-Based Interventions for Physical Activity Promotion: Scoping Review of the Evidence Over the Last 10 Years. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 9(7), e24308. https://doi.org/10.2196/24308

Fanning, J., Mullen, S. P., & McAuley, E. (2012). Increasing physical activity with mobile devices: a meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res, 14(6), e161. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.2171

Firth, J., Torous, J., Nicholas, J., Carney, R., Pratap, A., Rosenbaum, S., & Sarris, J. (2017). The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry, 16(3), 287–298. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20472

Forberger, S., Wichmann, F., & Comito, C. (2022). Nudges used to promote physical activity and to reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace: Results of a scoping review. Preventive Medicine, 155, 106922. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106922

Fröberg, A., Raustorp, A., Pagels, P., Larsson, C. & Boldemann, C. . (2017). Levels of physical activity during physical education lessons in Sweden. Acta Paediatr(106), 135–141. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.13551

Gowin, M., Cheney, M., Gwin, S., & Franklin Wann, T. (2015). Health and Fitness App Use in College Students: A Qualitative Study. American Journal of Health Education, 46(4), 223–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2015.1044140

Gurholt, K., & Sanderud, J. (2016). Curious play: children’s exploration of nature. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 16, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2016.1162183

Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M., & Bull, F. C. (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1·6 million participants. Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 4(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2352-4642(19)30323-2

He, Z., Wu, H., Yu, F., Fu, J., Sun, S., Huang, T., Wang, R., Chen, D., Zhao, G., & Quan, M. (2021). Effects of Smartphone-Based Interventions on Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 9(2), e22601. https://doi.org/10.2196/22601

Hosseinpour, M., & Terlutter, R. (2019). Your Personal Motivator is with You: A Systematic Review of Mobile Phone Applications Aiming at Increasing Physical Activity. Sports Med, 49(9), 1425-1447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01128-3

Jee, M., Khan, A., & Nazneen, N. (2021). Understanding Adolescents' Perceptions and Aspirations Towards Their Relationship With Personal Technology: Survey Study. JMIR Form Res, 5(12), e27852. https://doi.org/10.2196/27852

Krebs, P., & Duncan, D. T. (2015). Health App Use Among US Mobile Phone Owners: A National Survey. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 3(4), e101. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.4924

Krueger, R. A., & Casey, M. A. (2015). Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/focus-groups/book243860

Laird, Y., Fawkner, S., Kelly, P., McNamee, L., & Niven, A. (2016). The role of social support on physical activity behaviour in adolescent girls: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13(1), 79. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0405-7

Lakicevic, N., Gentile, A., Mehrabi, S., Cassar, S., Parker, K., Roklicer, R., Bianco, A., & Drid, P. (2020). Make Fitness Fun: Could Novelty Be the Key Determinant for Physical Activity Adherence? [Opinion]. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577522

Marques, A., Henriques-Neto, D., Peralta, M., Martins, J., Demetriou, Y., Schönbach, D. M. I., & Matos, M. G. (2020). Prevalence of Physical Activity among Adolescents from 105 Low, Middle, and High-income Countries. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093145

Middelweerd, A., van der Laan, D., van Stralen, M. M., Mollee, J., Stuij, M., te Velde, S., & Brug, J. (2015). What features do Dutch university students prefer in a smartphone application to promote physical activity? A qualitative approach. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1), 31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0189-1

Modra, C., Domokos, M., & Petracovschi, S. (2021). The Use of Digital Technologies in the Physical Education Lesson: A Systematic Analysis of Scientific Literature. Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal, 14(26), 33-46. https://doi.org/doi:10.2478/tperj-2021-0004

Morgan, D., & Hoffman, K. (2018). The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Collection. In. SAGE Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781526416070

Mosa, A. S., Yoo, I., & Sheets, L. (2012). A systematic review of healthcare applications for smartphones. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak, 12, 67. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-12-67

Nibbeling, N., Simons, M., Sporrel, K., & Deutekom, M. (2021). A Focus Group Study Among Inactive Adults Regarding the Perceptions of a Theory-Based Physical Activity App [Original Research]. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.528388

OECD. (2019). OECD future of education 2030. Making physical education dynamic and inclusive for 2030. International curriculum analysis. https://www.oecd.org/education/2030-project/contact/oecd_future_of_education_2030_making_physical_dynamic_and_inclusive_for_2030.pdf, 2019( ).

OECD, & WHO. (2023). Step Up! Tackling the Burden of Insufficient Physical Activity in Europe. https://doi.org/doi:https://doi.org/10.1787/500a9601-en

Petersen, J., Kemps, E., Lewis, L., & Prichard, I. (2020). Psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between commercial physical activity app use and physical activity engagement. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 51, 101719. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101719

Reyes, V., Bogumil, E., & Welch, L. (2021). The Living Codebook: Documenting the Process of Qualitative Data Analysis. Sociological Methods & Research, 004912412098618. https://doi.org/10.1177/0049124120986185

Ruseski, J., Humphreys, B., Hallmann, K., & Breuer, C. (2011). Family structure, time constraints, and sport participation. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 8(2), 57-66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11556-011-0084-y

Salway, R., Emm-Collison, L., Sebire, S. J., Thompson, J. L., Lawlor, D. A., & Jago, R. (2019). The association of school-related active travel and active after-school clubs with children’s physical activity: a cross-sectional study in 11-year-old UK children. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1), 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0832-3

Schoeppe, S., Alley, S., Van Lippevelde, W., Bray, N. A., Williams, S. L., Duncan, M. J., & Vandelanotte, C. (2016). Efficacy of interventions that use apps to improve diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 13(1), 127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0454-y

Soliman, M., Rasheed, A., Hady, H. A., Jdaitawi, M., Khamees, A., & Abdelsalam, R. (2022). The impact of mobile phone fitness applications on the level of physical fitness and psychological well-being during covid-19: The case of university students. J Educ Health Promot, 11, 299. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_1802_21

Takano, N. (2015). Children’s Use of Mobile Phones 2014: A Special Report.

Teixeira, P., Carraça, E., Markland, D., Silva, M., & Ryan, R. (2012). Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 9, 78. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-9-78

Telama, R., Naul, R., Yang, X., Viikari, J., Välimäki, I., Wanne, O., & Raitakari, O. (2005). Physical activity from childhood to adulthood: A 21-year tracking study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(3), 267-273. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2004.12.003

Tondello, G. F., Mora, A., Marczewski, A., & Nacke, L. E. (2019). Empirical validation of the Gamification User Types Hexad scale in English and Spanish. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 127, 95-111. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhcs.2018.10.002

Tong, H. L., Quiroz, J. C., Kocaballi, A. B., Ijaz, K., Coiera, E., Chow, C. K., & Laranjo, L. (2022). A personalized mobile app for physical activity: An experimental mixed-methods study. Digit Health, 8, 20552076221115017. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221115017

USDHHS. (2018). Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific.

van Sluijs, E. M., McMinn, A. M., & Griffin, S. J. (2007). Effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in children and adolescents: systematic review of controlled trials. Bmj, 335(7622), 703. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39320.843947.BE

Aznar Díaz, I., Cáceres Reche, M., Trujillo Torres, J., & Romero Rodríguez, J. (2019). Impacto de las apps móviles en la actividad física: un meta-análisis (Impact of mobile apps on physical activity: A meta-analysis). Retos, 36(0), 52-57. doi:10.47197/retos.v36i36.66628

Bunn, J. A., Navalta, J. W., Fountaine, C. J., & Reece, J. D. (2018). Current State of Commercial Wearable Technology in Physical Activity Monitoring 2015-2017. Int J Exerc Sci, 11(7), 503-515.

Direito, A., Dale, L., Shields, E., Dobson, R., Whittaker, R., & Maddison, R. (2014). Do physical activity and dietary smartphone applications incorporate evidence-based behaviour change techniques? BMC Public Health, 14, 646. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-646

Domin, A., Ouzzahra, Y., & Vögele, C. (2022). Features and Components Preferred by Adolescents in Smartphone Apps for the Promotion of Physical Activity: Focus Group Study. JMIR Hum Factors, 9(2), e33972. doi:10.2196/33972

Domin, A., Spruijt-Metz, D., Theisen, D., Ouzzahra, Y., & Vögele, C. (2021). Smartphone-Based Interventions for Physical Activity Promotion: Scoping Review of the Evidence Over the Last 10 Years. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 9(7), e24308. doi:10.2196/24308

Forberger, S., Wichmann, F., & Comito, C. (2022). Nudges used to promote physical activity and to reduce sedentary behaviour in the workplace: Results of a scoping review. Preventive Medicine, 155, 106922. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106922

Gu, L., Gao, X., & Li, Y. (2022). What drives me to use TikTok: A latent profile analysis of users’ motives. Frontiers in psychology, 13. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.992824

Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M., & Bull, F. C. (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1·6 million participants. Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 4(1), 23-35. doi:10.1016/s2352-4642(19)30323-2

Hosseinpour, M., & Terlutter, R. (2019). Your Personal Motivator is with You: A Systematic Review of Mobile Phone Applications Aiming at Increasing Physical Activity. Sports Med, 49(9), 1425-1447. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01128-3

Lakicevic, N., Gentile, A., Mehrabi, S., Cassar, S., Parker, K., Roklicer, R., . . . Drid, P. (2020). Make Fitness Fun: Could Novelty Be the Key Determinant for Physical Activity Adherence? Frontiers in psychology, 11, 577522. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577522

Middelweerd, A., van der Laan, D., van Stralen, M. M., Mollee, J., Stuij, M., te Velde, S., & Brug, J. (2015). What features do Dutch university students prefer in a smartphone application for promotion of physical activity? A qualitative approach. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 12(1), 31. doi:10.1186/s12966-015-0189-1

Park, J. H., Moon, J. H., Kim, H. J., Kong, M. H., & Oh, Y. H. (2020). Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of Updated Evidence of Potential Health Risks. Korean J Fam Med, 41(6), 365-373. doi:10.4082/kjfm.20.0165

Ruseski, J., Humphreys, B., Hallmann, K., & Breuer, C. (2011). Family structure, time constraints, and sport participation. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 8(2), 57-66. doi:10.1007/s11556-011-0084-y

Salway, R., de Vocht, F., Emm-Collison, L., Sansum, K., House, D., Walker, R., . . . Jago, R. (2023). Comparison of children's physical activity profiles before and after COVID-19 lockdowns: A latent profile analysis. PLOS ONE, 18(11), e0289344. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0289344

Santos Labrador, R. M., & Melero Ventola, A. R. . (2023). Variables asociadas a la motivación hacia la práctica de actividad física en adolescentes. Retos, 50, 925–930. doi: https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v50.96892

Schoeppe, S., Alley, S., Van Lippevelde, W., Bray, N. A., Williams, S. L., Duncan, M. J., & Vandelanotte, C. (2016). Efficacy of interventions that use apps to improve diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 13(1), 127. doi:10.1186/s12966-016-0454-y

Soliman, M., Rasheed, A., Hady, H. A., Jdaitawi, M., Khamees, A., & Abdelsalam, R. (2022). The impact of mobile phone fitness applications on the level of physical fitness and psychological well-being during covid-19: The case of university students. J Educ Health Promot, 11, 299. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1802_21

Sporrel, K., De Boer, R. D. D., Wang, S., Nibbeling, N., Simons, M., Deutekom, M., . . . Kröse, B. (2020). The Design and Development of a Personalized Leisure Time Physical Activity Application Based on Behavior Change Theories, End-User Perceptions, and Principles From Empirical Data Mining. Front Public Health, 8, 528472. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.528472

Takano, N. (2015). Children’s Use of Mobile Phones 2014: A Special Report. Retrieved from

Teixeira, P., Carraça, E., Markland, D., Silva, M., & Ryan, R. (2012). Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 9, 78. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-9-78

Thornton, L., Gardner, L. A., Osman, B., Green, O., Champion, K. E., Bryant, Z., . . . Chapman, C. (2021). A Multiple Health Behavior Change, Self-Monitoring Mobile App for Adolescents: Development and Usability Study of the Health4Life App. JMIR Form Res, 5(4), e25513. doi:10.2196/25513

Torres, G., Neophytou, N., Fourie, P., Buntting, X., Constantinou, D., & Gradidge, P. L. (2021). 'I'm doing it for myself': Using a smartphone-based exercise service during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. S Afr J Sports Med, 33(1), v33i31a9053. doi:10.17159/2078-516X/2021/v33i1a9053

USDHHS. (2018). Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific. Retrieved from Washington, DC, USA: 2018:

Warburton, D. E., & Bredin, S. S. (2017). Health benefits of physical activity: a systematic review of current systematic reviews. Current opinion in cardiology, 32(5), 541-556. doi:10.1097/hco.0000000000000437

WHO. (2018). Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world. Retrieved from Geneva:

Yau, K. W., Tang, T. S., Görges, M., Pinkney, S., Kim, A. D., Kalia, A., & Amed, S. (2022). Effectiveness of Mobile Apps in Promoting Healthy Behavior Changes and Preventing Obesity in Children: Systematic Review. JMIR Pediatr Parent, 5(1), e34967. doi:10.2196/34967

WHO. (2018). Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world.

Xiao, W., Wu, J., Yip, J., Shi, Q., Peng, L., Lei, Q. E., & Ren, Z. (2022). The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mobile Phone Addiction Among Adolescents and Young Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies. JMIR Public Health Surveill, 8(12), e41606. https://doi.org/10.2196/41606

Yau, K. W., Tang, T. S., Görges, M., Pinkney, S., Kim, A. D., Kalia, A., & Amed, S. (2022). Effectiveness of Mobile Apps in Promoting Healthy Behavior Changes and Preventing Obesity in Children: Systematic Review. JMIR Pediatr Parent, 5(1), e34967. https://doi.org/10.2196/34967

Downloads

Published

2024-07-01

How to Cite

Gomes, L., Teixeira , D. ., Slawinska , M. ., Davis , P. ., López-Flores , M. . ., Nyström, M. ., Silva , M. . ., Palmeira , A., & Pereira , H. (2024). Adolescents’ Perspectives on Smartphone Applications for Physical Activity Promotion: Insights from Focus Group Discussions. Retos, 56, 85–94. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v56.104357

Issue

Vol. 56 (2024)

Section

Didactic experiences developed and investigated with empirical work

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Retos

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
  2. Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).

This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.