Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy.
Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019 Feb 8;7(2):e11636. doi: 10.2196/11636.
Although smartphone apps might support physical activity (PA), engagement with them tends to be low.
This study aimed to examine potential users' needs and preferences regarding their engagement with PA apps during a first exposure to a never-used PA app and after 2 weeks' usage.
A longitudinal, one-arm qualitative study was conducted with potential PA app users. At baseline, participants (N=20) were asked to explore 1 of 3 randomly allocated PA apps while thinking aloud. Semistructured interview techniques allowed participants to elaborate on their statements. After 2 weeks, follow-up interviews explored participants' (n=17) lived experiences of real-world app use. Verbal reports from both time points were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
Features that promote a fair and simple user experience, support users' self-regulation skills, and address users' exercise motives were considered important for engagement both during a first exposure and after a 2-week use of PA apps. Features that support users' need for relatedness as well as those that facilitate users to implement their intentions were expected to be important for engagement mainly during a first exposure to PA apps. Proactive and tailored features that integrate behavioral, psychological, and contextual information to provide adaptive exercise plans and just-in-time support were considered relevant to sustain engagement over time.
App features that address users' exercise motives, promote self-regulation, and fulfill users' need for relatedness might promote engagement with PA apps. Tailored and proactive features were expected to promote sustained engagement.
尽管智能手机应用程序可以支持身体活动（PA），但它们的参与度往往较低。
本研究旨在探讨潜在用户在首次接触从未使用过的 PA 应用程序以及使用 2 周后对 PA 应用程序的参与度的需求和偏好。
采用纵向、单臂定性研究方法，对潜在 PA 应用程序使用者进行研究。在基线时，参与者（N=20）被要求在思考时探索 3 个随机分配的 PA 应用程序之一。半结构化访谈技术允许参与者详细说明他们的陈述。2 周后，通过随访访谈探讨参与者（n=17）在现实世界中使用应用程序的真实体验。使用归纳主题分析对来自两个时间点的口头报告进行分析。
在首次接触和使用 PA 应用程序 2 周后，促进公平和简单用户体验、支持用户自我调节技能以及满足用户运动动机的功能被认为是参与的重要因素。支持用户关联性需求以及促进用户实现意图的功能预计在首次接触 PA 应用程序时对参与度很重要。主动和定制的功能可以整合行为、心理和环境信息，提供适应性的锻炼计划和及时的支持，被认为是随着时间的推移维持参与度的相关因素。
满足用户运动动机、促进自我调节和满足用户关联性需求的应用程序功能可能会促进对 PA 应用程序的参与。定制和主动的功能预计会促进持续参与。
