Enhancing Physical Activity Classes With Physical Activity Apps

Background/Purpose: The progression of technology and development of smartphone applications (apps) has led to research investigating the effects of utilizing apps as a means of monitoring, enhancing, and increasing factors such as sociability, self-esteem, and physical activity (PA).  Social networking sites that used positive feedback have been found to enhance self-esteem and perceived well-being in comparison to negative feedback.  The purpose of the study was to examine whether a mobile app increased physical activity factors: motivation, self-efficacy, enjoyment, and intensity among college students. 

Method: A mixed methods experimental design included a five-week randomized controlled trial that tested two conditions: (1) traditional body conditioning (control group, n=28); (2) training and enrollment into physical activity mobile app accompanied with traditional body conditioning (intervention group, n=32).  Descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) analyzed inter-and intra-group comparison. 

Analysis/Results: The majoring of the participants were female (50%), 21 and under (68.8%) and African American (37.5%).  Significant differences were found between groups by self-efficacy and PA activity level (p< 0.05).  Intervention group reported higher satisfaction with the course.   Focus group data revealed the easy of use, competition and platform as keys theme that increase the students enjoyment.

Conclusions: Adding a PA App to a traditional course can be effective in increasing physical activity and self efficacy among college students.