scholarly journals Using a Mobile Social Networking App to Promote Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study of Users’ Perspectives (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huong Ly Tong ◽  
Enrico Coiera ◽  
Liliana Laranjo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Mobile Social Networking

BACKGROUND Despite many health benefits of physical activity, nearly a third of the world’s adult population is insufficiently active. Technological interventions, such as mobile apps, wearable trackers, and Web-based social networks, offer great promise in promoting physical activity, but little is known about users’ acceptability and long-term engagement with these interventions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to understand users’ perspectives regarding a mobile social networking intervention to promote physical activity. METHODS Participants, mostly university students and staff, were recruited using purposive sampling techniques. Participants were enrolled in a 6-month feasibility study where they were provided with a wearable physical activity tracker (Fitbit Flex 2) and a wireless scale (Fitbit Aria) integrated with a social networking mobile app (named “fit.healthy.me”). We conducted semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews and focus groups pre- and postintervention, which were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed in Nvivo 11 using thematic analysis techniques. RESULTS In this study, 55 participants were enrolled; 51% (28/55) were females, and the mean age was 23.6 (SD 4.6) years. The following 3 types of factors emerged from the data as influencing engagement with the intervention and physical activity: individual (self-monitoring of behavior, goal setting, and feedback on behavior), social (social comparison, similarity and familiarity between users, and participation from other users in the network), and technological. In addition, automation and personalization were observed as enhancing the delivery of both individual and social aspects. Technological limitations were mentioned as potential barriers to long-term usage. CONCLUSIONS Self-regulatory techniques and social factors are important to consider when designing a physical activity intervention, but a one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to satisfy different users’ preferences. Future research should adopt innovative research designs to test interventions that can adapt and respond to users’ needs and preferences throughout time.

scholarly journals Effects of a 1-Year Physical Activity Intervention on Markers of Hemostasis among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

TH Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. e14-e23
Author(s):  
Siv Kjølsrud Bøhn ◽  
Inger Thune ◽  
Vidar Gordon Flote ◽  
Hanne Frydenberg ◽  
Gro Falkenér Bertheussen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Factor Vii ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Hemostatic Factors

Abstract Introduction Physical activity may reduce the development of breast cancer. Whereas hypercoagulability has been linked to adverse outcomes in breast cancer patients, the effects of physical activity on their hemostatic factors are unknown. The study aimed to assess whether long-term (1 year) physical activity can affect hemostatic factors in breast cancer patients. Methods Fifty-five women (35–75 years) with invasive breast cancer stage I/II were randomized to a physical activity intervention (n = 29) lasting 1 year or to a control group (n = 26), and analyzed as intention to treat. Fibrinogen, factor VII antigen, tissue factor pathway inhibitor, and von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen as well as prothrombin fragment 1 + 2, the endogenous thrombin potential and D-dimer, were measured in plasma before intervention (baseline), and then after 6 and 12 months. Results Maximal oxygen uptake (measure of cardiorespiratory fitness) decreased the first 6 months among the controls, but remained stable in the intervention group. We found no significant differences between the two study groups regarding any of the hemostatic factors, except a significantly higher increase in factor VII antigen in the intervention group. The effect of the intervention on VWF was, however, significantly affected by menopausal stage, and a significant effect of the intervention was found on VWF among postmenopausal women, even after adjustment for dietary intake. Conclusion Long-term physical activity had no effect on the majority of the hemostatic factors measured, but led to increased plasma concentrations of factor VII antigen and prevented an increase in VWF concentration after breast cancer treatment in postmenopausal women. The clinical impact of these findings for risk of vascular thrombosis warrants further studies.

scholarly journals Long-term efficacy of a printed or a Web-based tailored physical activity intervention among older adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Peels ◽  
Catherine Bolman ◽  
Rianne Henrica Johanna Golsteijn ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Aart Mudde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Term Efficacy

scholarly journals Changing Health Behavior with Social Technology? A Pilot Test of a Mobile App Designed for Social Support of Physical Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8383
Author(s):  
Anne Marie Kanstrup ◽  
Pernille Scholdan Bertelsen ◽  
Casper Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Pilot Test ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Individual Use

Mobile applications targeting people engaged in physical activity have increased. However, while research has identified social support as a key factor for people’s engagement in physical activity, most mobile health (mHealth) applications are designed for individual use. In this paper, we report on a research study exploring opportunities for designing mHealth to facilitate social support around physical activity. A mHealth application was designed, and pilot tested for eight weeks with healthcare professionals (n = 3) and two groups of citizens (n = 20) who were motivated but challenged physically due to various health conditions. Data was collected via online monitoring of the use of the mHealth application during the pilot test and via qualitative interviews with the participants before and after. The results support the idea that designing for social health support is important but so is identifying key challenges related to (i) the facilitation of technology-mediated social health support, especially to a target group that is living with health challenges, and (ii) finding a balance between social and health agendas that bring social support to the foreground for the participants.

scholarly journals Physical activity modification in youth with congenital heart disease: a comprehensive narrative review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arend W. van Deutekom ◽  
Adam J. Lewandowski
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Congenital Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Activity Promotion

Abstract Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects nearly 1% of births. As survival rates have dramatically improved, the majority of individuals with CHD now live into adulthood. As these patients age, they become prone to a large range of complications, such as chronic heart failure and acquired cardiovascular disease. Promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle from childhood onwards has been suggested as a sustainable and effective strategy to enhance cardiovascular health, improve quality of life and reduce immediate and long-term risk in people with CHD. Well-established physical activity consensus statements for youth with CHD have now been published. In this article, we review how increasing physical activity in youth with CHD may offer immediate and long-term cardiovascular benefits, what is known about physical activity in children with CHD, describe the unique factors that contribute to achieving sufficient and insufficient physical activity levels and summarize the evidence of trials on physical activity promotion in youth with CHD. Furthermore, we discuss some of the challenges that need to be addressed by further research regarding the optimal strategy, timing and format of physical activity intervention programmes in children and adolescents with CHD. Impact Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects nearly 1% of births, with the majority of individuals with CHD now living into adulthood due to improved survival. As CHD patients age, they become prone to a large range of cardiovascular complications. This article discusses how and why increasing physical activity in youth with CHD may offer immediate and long-term cardiovascular benefits, the barriers to achieving sufficient physical activity levels and the evidence from trials on physical activity promotion in youth with CHD. The optimal strategy, timing and format of physical activity intervention programmes in children and adolescents with CHD are discussed.

scholarly journals LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF LIFESTYLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION AND STRUCTURED EXERCISE INTERVENTION

2006 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
HISAO SUZUKI ◽  
HIDETAKA NISHIKAWA ◽  
NOBUYUKI MIYATAKE ◽  
YUKO NISHIDA ◽  
DA-HONG WANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Lifestyle Physical Activity

Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Long-Term Reduction After a Physical Activity Intervention

2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Motl ◽  
James F. Konopack ◽  
Edward McAuley ◽  
Steriani Elavsky ◽  
Gerald J. Jerome ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention

scholarly journals Strategies for Developing and Delivering a Parental Physical Activity Intervention: Answers to the What and How

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra Hamilton ◽  
Katherine M. White
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Information Problem Solving ◽  
Parental Physical Activity

Background:Parents are at risk for physical inactivity; however, few studies have designed physical activity (PA) interventions specifically applied to individuals with young children. To ensure the effectiveness of interventions, it may be useful to first elicit the needs from the target population and incorporate salient strategies identified to the design and delivery of a resultant intervention. We aimed to explore strategies for what to include in and how to best deliver a program designed to increase parental PA.Methods:Twelve parents (6 mothers, 6 fathers) of children younger than 5 years participated in focus group discussions exploring strategies for an intervention program designed to increase parental PA.Results:A range of themes such as Focus on the Children and Flexible Life/Family Plans imbedded in strategies such as persuasion and information, problem-solving, skill building, and environmental approaches were identified. In addition, a range of strategies for how to best deliver a parental PA intervention evidenced in emerging themes such as Diverse and Brief and Individualized Approach was discussed.Conclusions:Future research should continue to adopt a ground up, community-based approach to the development and implementation of interventions for this at-risk group to ensure sustained involvement in regular PA.

Perspectives and Experiences Related to Physical Activity of Elders in Long-Term-Care Settings

2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine J. Phillips ◽  
Marcia Flesner
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Situational Factors ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Exercise Programs ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Group Interviews

This qualitative study investigated individual and situational factors influencing physical activity (PA) practices of elders in residential-care/assisted-living (RC/ AL) communities. This article describes the results of focus-group interviews involving 47 residents across 6 RC/AL settings. Thematic analysis revealed 6 themes: staying active, past PA experiences, value of PA, barriers to PA, strategies to facilitate PA, and support needs to promote PA. Staying active meant walking indoors and out, attending chair-exercise programs, performing professionally prescribed home exercises, and using available exercise equipment. Past PA experiences shaped current preferences and practices. Participants agreed that exercise helped maintain physical functioning but recounted cognitive and situational barriers to PA. Lack of dedicated exercise space and short corridors hampered efforts to stay active. Participants wished for individualized home exercise programs and supervised exercise sessions. Future research should examine the extent to which the physical environment and PA programming in RC/AL communities affect elders’ PA.

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