Sporrel Karlijn, Wang Shihan, Ettema Dick D F, Nibbeling Nicky, Krose Ben J A, Deutekom Marije, de Boer Rémi D D, Simons Monique
Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
JMIR Form Res. 2022 Aug 1;6(8):e35268. doi: 10.2196/35268.
App-based mobile health exercise interventions can motivate individuals to engage in more physical activity (PA). According to the Fogg Behavior Model, it is important that the individual receive prompts at the right time to be successfully persuaded into PA. These are referred to as just-in-time (JIT) interventions. The Playful Active Urban Living (PAUL) app is among the first to include 2 types of JIT prompts: JIT adaptive reminder messages to initiate a run or walk and JIT strength exercise prompts during a walk or run (containing location-based instruction videos). This paper reports on the feasibility of the PAUL app and its JIT prompts.
The main objective of this study was to examine user experience, app engagement, and users' perceptions and opinions regarding the PAUL app and its JIT prompts and to explore changes in the PA behavior, intrinsic motivation, and the perceived capability of the PA behavior of the participants.
In total, 2 versions of the closed-beta version of the PAUL app were evaluated: a basic version (Basic PAUL) and a JIT adaptive version (Smart PAUL). Both apps send JIT exercise prompts, but the versions differ in that the Smart PAUL app sends JIT adaptive reminder messages to initiate running or walking behavior, whereas the Basic PAUL app sends reminder messages at randomized times. A total of 23 participants were randomized into 1 of the 2 intervention arms. PA behavior (accelerometer-measured), intrinsic motivation, and the perceived capability of PA behavior were measured before and after the intervention. After the intervention, participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire on user experience, and they were invited for an exit interview to assess user perceptions and opinions of the app in depth.
No differences in PA behavior were observed (Z=-1.433; P=.08), but intrinsic motivation for running and walking and for performing strength exercises significantly increased (Z=-3.342; P<.001 and Z=-1.821; P=.04, respectively). Furthermore, participants increased their perceived capability to perform strength exercises (Z=2.231; P=.01) but not to walk or run (Z=-1.221; P=.12). The interviews indicated that the participants were enthusiastic about the strength exercise prompts. These were perceived as personal, fun, and relevant to their health. The reminders were perceived as important initiators for PA, but participants from both app groups explained that the reminder messages were often not sent at times they could exercise. Although the participants were enthusiastic about the functionalities of the app, technical issues resulted in a low user experience.
The preliminary findings suggest that the PAUL apps are promising and innovative interventions for promoting PA. Users perceived the strength exercise prompts as a valuable addition to exercise apps. However, to be a feasible intervention, the app must be more stable.
基于应用程序的移动健康锻炼干预措施可以激励个人进行更多的体育活动（PA）。根据福格行为模型，个人在正确的时间收到提示对于成功被说服参与体育活动很重要。这些被称为即时（JIT）干预措施。“趣味活力城市生活”（PAUL）应用程序是首批包含两种即时提示类型的应用程序之一：用于启动跑步或步行的即时自适应提醒消息，以及在步行或跑步期间的即时力量锻炼提示（包含基于位置的教学视频）。本文报告了PAUL应用程序及其即时提示的可行性。
本研究的主要目的是检查用户体验、应用程序参与度，以及用户对PAUL应用程序及其即时提示的看法和意见，并探索参与者的体育活动行为、内在动机和体育活动行为感知能力的变化。
总共评估了PAUL应用程序封闭测试版的2个版本：基础版本（基础PAUL）和即时自适应版本（智能PAUL）。两个应用程序都发送即时锻炼提示，但不同之处在于，智能PAUL应用程序发送即时自适应提醒消息以启动跑步或步行行为，而基础PAUL应用程序在随机时间发送提醒消息。共有23名参与者被随机分配到2个干预组中的1个。在干预前后测量体育活动行为（通过加速度计测量）、内在动机和体育活动行为的感知能力。干预后，还要求参与者完成一份关于用户体验的问卷，并邀请他们进行退出访谈，以深入评估用户对该应用程序的看法和意见。
未观察到体育活动行为的差异（Z=-1.433；P=0.08），但跑步、步行和进行力量锻炼的内在动机显著增加（分别为Z=-3.342；P<0.001和Z=-1.821；P=0.04）。此外，参与者进行力量锻炼的感知能力有所提高（Z=2.231；P=0.01），但步行或跑步的感知能力没有提高（Z=-1.221；P=0.12）。访谈表明，参与者对力量锻炼提示很感兴趣。这些提示被认为是个性化的、有趣的且与他们的健康相关。这些提醒被视为体育活动的重要启动因素，但两个应用程序组的参与者都解释说，提醒消息经常在他们无法锻炼的时候发送。尽管参与者对该应用程序的功能很感兴趣，但技术问题导致用户体验较低。
初步研究结果表明，PAUL应用程序是促进体育活动的有前景且创新的干预措施。用户认为力量锻炼提示是锻炼应用程序的一项有价值的补充。然而，要成为一种可行的干预措施，该应用程序必须更加稳定。
