The Effect of Physical Activity Apps on Physical Activity Behavior and Users’ Evaluation of Physical Activity Apps
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Wageningen University – Department of Social Sciences Chair Group Strategic Communication The Effect of Physical Activity Apps on Physical Activity Behavior and Users’ Evaluation of Physical Activity Apps 31 March 2016 MSc Thesis Strategic Communication (CPT-81333) MSc Applied Communication Science Laura Ploumen 1st Supervisor: Jorinde Spook 2nd Supervisor: Edith Feskens Abstract Background: A new development in the promotion of health and physical activity (PA) is the use of PA apps. This development brings along a new field of research. Despite the broad range of research in the previous years, there are still research gaps with regard to the effect of PA apps on behavior determinants and with regard to the users’ evaluation of PA apps. Objective: Determine what the effect is of the use of PA apps on PA and its’ determinants self-efficacy, outcome expectations, socio-structural factors, and self-regulation. In addition, an objective is to find out how Dutch adults evaluate PA apps and why they use it or do not use it. Methods: The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) was the theoretical framework for this study. A cross-sectional study design was used, with 251 participants. Differences in determinants, PA and PA enjoyment between app users (N=63) and non-users (N=188) were measured using ANCOVA’s, adjusting for the covariates age and education. As exploratory research, mediation analyses were performed to get insight into the underlying mechanisms of the SCT model. Several apps were evaluated using a system usability score, an evaluation of behavior change techniques and open questions. Results: App users scored significantly higher than non-users on self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and self- regulation. Furthermore, app users scored higher on PA enjoyment. No significant difference was found for PA. The PA apps and their behavior change techniques in this study were evaluated positively in general. Self- monitoring was the main reason why PA apps were used and was evaluated as a very positive aspect of PA apps. Negative aspects and possible improvements for PA apps mainly related to user-friendliness. The main reasons for not using PA apps were next to a lack of interest and need, the unawareness of the existence of such apps. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that app users have a higher self-efficacy level, higher outcome expectations, a stronger self-regulation level, and they enjoy PA more than non-users. Nearly one-fifth of smartphone users is not aware of the existence of PA apps. Considering the differences in determinants and PA enjoyment, it is important to raise awareness of the existence of PA apps. In addition, it is important for app developers to focus on self-regulation, on user-friendliness, and the option to compare PA performances over time and with others. I Preface In your hands (or on your screen) is the study ‘The Effect of Physical Activity Apps on Physical Activity Behavior and Users’ Evaluation of Physical Activity’. This study is my master thesis for the master program Applied Communication Science at Wageningen University. I was engaged in writing this thesis from October 2015 to March 2016. In Applied Communication Science, the focus lies on the use of communication strategies relating to problem solving and innovation to improve the quality of life. During the program, I chose health as the central life science. I am interested in innovations related to health promotion, as these innovations have the potential to improve people’s overall health. I wondered how smartphones, a relatively new technology, could improve physical activity by the use of physical activity apps. Supervised by Jorinde Spook from the chair group Strategic Communication and by Edith Feskens from the chair group Human Nutrition, I studied physical activity apps both from a theoretical perspective and an evaluative perspective. I would like to thank Jorinde Spook for her meaningful insights and her excellent guidance and support during the process and I would like to thank Edith Feskens for her feedback from a life science perspective and for giving me the chance to distribute my questionnaire in the research panel of the chair group of Human Nutrition. Furthermore I would like the second reader, Emely de Vet. I also would like to thank the respondents for their contribution to this thesis, and thank my family and friends for their support during this period. I hope you will enjoy reading this thesis! Laura Ploumen Wageningen, March 7, 2016. II Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................................... I Preface .................................................................................................................................................................... II List of Tables............................................................................................................................................................ V List of Figures .......................................................................................................................................................... V 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 2. Theoretical Background ...................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 State of the Art ............................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Social Cognitive Theory ................................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 Social Cognitive Theory and Physical Activity ............................................................................................... 5 2.4 Quantified Self .............................................................................................................................................. 6 2.5 Research Gap ................................................................................................................................................ 6 3. Research Objective, Aim and Research Questions .............................................................................................. 8 4. Methods .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 4.1 Participants & Study Design .......................................................................................................................... 9 4.2 Procedures .................................................................................................................................................... 9 4.3 Measures ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 4.3.1 Demographic Variables ......................................................................................................................... 9 4.3.2 Environment ........................................................................................................................................ 10 4.3.3 Behavior .............................................................................................................................................. 10 4.3.4 Self-Efficacy ......................................................................................................................................... 10 4.3.5 Outcome Expectations ........................................................................................................................ 11 4.3.6 Self-Regulation .................................................................................................................................... 11 4.3.7 Socio-Structural factors ....................................................................................................................... 11 4.3.8 Physical Activity Enjoyment ................................................................................................................. 12 4.3.9 Evaluation ............................................................................................................................................ 12 4.4 Analysis ....................................................................................................................................................... 13 5. Results ............................................................................................................................................................... 14 5.1 Descriptive statistics ................................................................................................................................... 14 5.1.1 Demographic Characteristics of the Study Sample ............................................................................. 14 5.1.2 Environment ........................................................................................................................................ 14 5.1.3 Physical Activity ................................................................................................................................... 15 5.1.4 App Use ..............................................................................................................................................