scholarly journals Efficacy of a Mobile Social Networking Intervention in Promoting Physical Activity: Quasi-Experimental Study

10.2196/12181 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e12181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huong Ly Tong ◽  
Enrico Coiera ◽  
William Tong ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Juan C Quiroz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Mobile Social Networking ◽  
Quasi Experimental

scholarly journals Efficacy of a Mobile Social Networking Intervention in Promoting Physical Activity: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huong Ly Tong ◽  
Enrico Coiera ◽  
William Tong ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Juan C Quiroz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Mobile Social Networking ◽  
System Usability ◽  
Daily Step Count ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Mean

BACKGROUND Technological interventions such as mobile apps, Web-based social networks, and wearable trackers have the potential to influence physical activity; yet, only a few studies have examined the efficacy of an intervention bundle combining these different technologies. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to pilot test an intervention composed of a social networking mobile app, connected with a wearable tracker, and investigate its efficacy in improving physical activity, as well as explore participant engagement and the usability of the app. METHODS This was a pre-post quasi-experimental study with 1 arm, where participants were subjected to the intervention for a 6-month period. The primary outcome measure was the difference in daily step count between baseline and 6 months. Secondary outcome measures included engagement with the intervention and system usability. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were conducted; posthoc subgroup analyses were carried out for participants with different levels of steps at baseline, app usage, and social features usage. RESULTS A total of 55 participants were enrolled in the study; the mean age was 23.6 years and 28 (51%) were female. There was a nonstatistically significant increase in the average daily step count between baseline and 6 months (mean change=14.5 steps/day, P=.98, 95% CI –1136.5 to 1107.5). Subgroup analysis comparing the higher and lower physical activity groups at baseline showed that the latter had a statistically significantly higher increase in their daily step count (group difference in mean change from baseline to 6 months=3025 steps per day, P=.008, 95% CI 837.9-5211.8). At 6 months, the retention rate was 82% (45/55); app usage decreased over time. The mean system usability score was 60.1 (SD 19.2). CONCLUSIONS This study showed the preliminary efficacy of a mobile social networking intervention, integrated with a wearable tracker to promote physical activity, particularly for less physically active subgroups of the population. Future research should explore how to address challenges faced by physically inactive people to provide tailored advices. In addition, users’ perspectives should be explored to shed light on factors that might influence their engagement with the intervention.

scholarly journals Impact of a Georgia elementary school-based intervention on physical activity opportunities: A quasi-experimental study

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Cheung ◽  
Padra Franks ◽  
Michael Kramer ◽  
Carolyn Drews-Botsch ◽  
Jean Welsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Elementary School ◽  
School Based Intervention ◽  
School Based ◽  
Quasi Experimental

scholarly journals Efecto de la práctica de actividad física gamificada en el estado de ánimo de jugadoras de baloncesto en etapa de confinamiento (Effect of gamified physical activity practice on the mood of female basketball players in confinement stage)

Retos ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Alberto Rodríguez Cayetano ◽  
Estela Vicente Rivera ◽  
José Manuel De Mena Ramos ◽  
Salvador Pérez Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Mood States ◽  
Profile Of Mood States ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Salud Mental

El objetivo principal de esta investigación es analizar el efecto en el estado de ánimo de jugadoras de baloncesto, a través de la práctica de actividad física gamificada durante la etapa de confinamiento debido a la COVID-19. La muestra utilizada fue de 26 jugadoras de tres categorías diferentes: infantil, juvenil y senior, con una media de edad de 16.65 (±3.84) años. Para analizar el efecto sobre el estado de ánimo, se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental a través de un estudio con un pretest, una intervención y un postest final, proporcionando el cuestionario de Profile of Mood States (POMS) antes y después de cada sesión. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron mejoras en el estado de ánimo, disminuyendo los valores que se relacionan con estados emocionales negativos. Durante etapas de confinamiento, es importante aportar programas de actividad física para mejorar la salud mental de las jugadoras de baloncesto, las cuales están acostumbradas a una práctica de actividad física regular. Abstract. The main objective of this research is to analyze the effect on the mood of female basketball players, through the practice of gamified physical activity during the confinement stage due to COVID-19. The sample used was 26 players from three different categories: U14, U18 and senior, with an average age 16.65 (3.84) years. To analyze the effect on the players' mood, a quasi-experimental study was conducted through a pretest, an intervention and a final posttest, providing the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire before and after each session. The results obtained showed improvements in the players' mood was produced due to the practice of gamified physical activity, decreasing the values that are related to negative emotional states. During times of confinement, it is important to provide physical activity programs to improve the mental health of female basketball players, who are accustomed to practice regular physical activity.

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 Effect of a supervised exercise program on overweight and obese adolescents: a quasi-experimental study

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Lopes ◽  
D Jove Cesar ◽  
A L P Oliveira ◽  
A F P V Silva ◽  
B L Biasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Obesity And Overweight ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Overweight Adolescents ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

Abstract Background Obesity and overweight are a worldwide public health problem, and physical exercise is an important intervention to reduce these high rates. Supervised exercise programs have significant impacts on the prevalence of obesity in adolescentes and the nurses should guide on the importance of physical activity. Purpose To evaluate the effect of an exercise program on the profile of obesity and overweight in adolescents. Methods Quasi-experimental study based on TREND guidelines. Performed with 72 adolescents, who underwent a physical activity program supervised (aerobic and resistance physical exercises) by a health professional 5 times a week, each session lasting from 50 to 60 minutes. The population consisted of all obese and overweight adolescents, aged between 14 and 18 years, who were authorized by the doctor to perform physical activity, and who did not have physical mobility problems and/or cognitive alterations. Adolescents with an anthropometric index greater than or equal to the z +1 score, and waist circumference greater than the 90th percentile, and/or skinfolds greater than the 90th percentile were considered obese or overweight. Adolescents who did not perform outcome assessments before and after the intervention, or those who did not attend physical exercise sessions for a week were excluded. The primary outcomes were anthropometric measurements (body mass index, tricipital and subscapular skinfolds, estimated body fat percentage, brachial perimeter, arm fat area, waist and neck circumference measurement), while secondary outcomes were lipid profile, capillary glycemia and blood pressure. Outcomes were assessed before and the day after the program ended. The effect of the program in relation to the outcomes was analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with p<0.05 being considered significant. Results A total 520 adolescents were assessed for eligibility; of these, 129 were considered eligible and 124 agreed to participate in the study, but 20 gave up participating. Therefore, 104 started the intervention and 32 adolescents were excluded over time, as they did not show up for a week in the exercise program, which totaled 72 adolescents for analysis. A significant improvement was observed in all primary outcomes analyzed (p<0.001) and in most secondary outcomes (capillary blood glucose, p=0.0001; triglycerides, p=0.0001; systolic blood pressure, p=0.005) after 12 weeks of the supervised physical exercise program. Conclusion The supervised physical exercise program showed a significant reduction in anthropometric measurements, as well as in glycemic, triglyceride and blood pressure levels. To prove the effect of physical exercise on adolescents may impact public and educational policy measures and the incorporation of this practice in adolescents' school life. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnolόgico (CNPq)

scholarly journals Improving lifestyles sustainability through community gardening: results and lessons learnt from the JArDinS quasi-experimental study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Tharrey ◽  
Ashby Sachs ◽  
Marlène Perignon ◽  
Chantal Simon ◽  
Caroline Mejean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
Community Garden ◽  
Community Gardening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sustainable Lifestyles ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Background Despite an increasing number of studies highlighting the health benefits of community gardening, the literature is limited by cross-sectional designs. The “JArDinS” quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the impact of community garden participation on the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles among French adults. Methods Individuals entering a community garden in Montpellier (France) in 2018 (n = 66) were compared with pairwise matched individuals with no experience in community gardening (n = 66). Nutritional quality, environmental impact and cost of monthly household food supplies, level of physical activity measured by accelerometers, as well as mental and social well-being, sensitivity to food waste, and connection with nature were evaluated at baseline (t0) and 12 months later (t1) to explore sustainability of lifestyles in social/health, environmental and economic dimensions. Linear mixed models were used to determine the independent effect of community gardening on investigated lifestyles components. In-depth interviews were conducted at t1 with 15 gardeners to better understand changes that may have occurred in gardeners’ lives during the first year of gardening. Results At t0, gardeners had lower education level, lower BMI and their household reported lower percentage of meals consumed outside of the home compared to non-gardeners (p <  0.05). Participating in the community garden had no significant impact, in spite of sufficient statistical power, on fruit and vegetables supplies (main outcome), nor on physical activity parameters, nor on others of the social/health, environmental and economic lifestyles components investigated. Qualitative interviews suggested the existence of pre-established health and environmental consciousness in some gardeners and revealed several barriers to the participation such as lack of time, lack of gardening knowledge, physical difficulty of gardening, health problems and conflicts with other gardeners. Conclusions The health benefits of community gardening previously reported by cross-sectional studies might be confounded by selection bias. The JArDinS study highlights the need to identify solutions to overcome barriers related to community garden participation when designing relevant public health interventions for the promotion of sustainable lifestyles. Trial registration The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03694782. Date of registration: 3rd October 2018, retrospectively registered.

Is a smartphone application effective in improving physical activity among medical school students? Results from a quasi-experimental study

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveen Pentakota ◽  
Gomathi Ramaswamy ◽  
Pruthu Thekkur ◽  
Divya Nair ◽  
Palanivel Chinnakali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
College Students ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Anthropometric Measurements ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Metabolic Equivalents ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Introduction Physical activity (PA) is proven to be an effective strategy to avert the life threatening cardiovascular diseases. There is need for developing feasible aids to improve compliance to PA. Hence, we conducted a study among medical college students a) to assess the prevalence of recommended PA level and b) to assess the effectiveness of installing a smartphone application (app) in improving PA. Methodology A quasi-experimental study was conducted among medical college students in Puducherry, India. The baseline PA was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and anthropometric measurements such as height and weight were measured as per World Health Organization (WHO) standards. A smartphone app (Runtastic) was installed on the mobile phones of all study participants. At the end of 1 month, the end line PA and anthropometric measurements were captured using same scales. Results Of the total 350 students who were included, the mean age of the participants was 18.9 (0.9) years and 58% of them were male. The proportion of participants with the WHO recommended level of PA increased from 81% at the baseline to 91% after 1 month of installation of the mobile app (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant increase in the leisure time PA [median (interquartile range – IQR) of metabolic equivalents (METS): 0 (0–1600) vs. 1260.0 (0–1920)]. Clinically significant change was not seen in body mass index (BMI) though the reduction was statistically significant [(mean (standard deviation – SD) of BMI: 22.54 (2.49) vs. after intervention 22.46 (2.47); p = 0.018]. Conclusion This quasi-experimental study conducted among medical college students reported significant improvement in total and leisure time PA.

scholarly journals Changes in physical activity and sedentary time in the Finnish Schools on the Move program: a quasi-experimental study

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1442-1453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henna L. Haapala ◽  
Mirja H. Hirvensalo ◽  
Janne Kulmala ◽  
Harto Hakonen ◽  
Anna Kankaanpää ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Quasi Experimental

scholarly journals Effects of Social Interaction Mechanics in Pervasive Games on the Physical Activity Levels of Older Adults: Quasi-Experimental Study

10.2196/13962 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e13962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Henrique De Oliveira Santos ◽  
Kazuya Okamoto ◽  
Silvana Schwerz Funghetto ◽  
Adriana Schüler Cavalli ◽  
Shusuke Hiragi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Pervasive Games ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Quasi Experimental
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