The Use of Mobile Apps to Increase Physical Activity Level: A Systematic Review

Dziyana Nazaruk^1, and Kelli Rouser¹

¹Health Policy and Community Health, Georgia Southern University, Savannah, USA

Cite this paper:
Dziyana Nazaruk and Kelli Rouser. The Use of Mobile Apps to Increase Physical Activity Level: A Systematic Review. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2021; 6(1):36-47. doi: 10.12691/jpar-6-1-6

Abstract

Background: About 82% of the U.S. adult population owns a smartphone. More than half of that population downloaded a fitness or health app to increase the physical activity level. The current review included studies that have utilized mobile apps in conjunction with other intervention strategies to increase physical activity levels. Methods: The search was conducted in five electronic databases. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials, utilized mobile apps, physical activity was the primary outcome, written in English, and conducted between the years of 2007 and 2019. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the final review. Results indicated that multi-component interventions reported significant improvements in physical activity across all age groups. The most substantial behavior change effects were observed in interventions that combined apps with health coaching, individualized text messages, and self-monitoring component. The overall results indicated that 8 out of 13 included studies reported statistically significant improvement in physical activity level with mobile app utilization in multi-component interventions. Conclusion: This review suggests that mobile apps have the potential to effectively deliver physical activity interventions, by providing tailored-based approach, unlimited accessibility, and monitoring. Therefore, future studies must focus on the effective delivery of evidence-based physical activity interventions through mobile apps in various populations.

Keywords:
physical activity mobile apps smartphone exercise

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