Characteristics and quality of physical activity apps which provide feedback on user affect. A systematic review and evaluation of public and academic apps

Despite its benefits to both physical and mental health, physical activity levels worldwide remain low and new solutions for behaviour change must be sought. Smartphone apps are extremely popular and prevalent across the population, however their quality is still questionable. Physical activity produces an acute ‘feel good’ effect and intervention designers should consider the role that affect (mood) plays in uptake and maintenance of behaviours. It is timely to examine the use of affect as a motivator for physical activity, using new tools that allow real-time capture of both affect and physical activity (smartphones). The existence, characteristics and quality of physical activity apps that provide feedback on affect were explored in this thesis A mixed methods approach, comprising a systematic review (study 1) and a systematic evaluation (study 2) was taken. Data collection methods included both quantitative and qualitative assessments, using pre-existing and fit-for purpose tools. Twenty-two physical activity apps that provided feedback on affect were identified. Apps often failed to target groups most at risk of poor physical activity levels. Feedback on affect was performed in a variety of ways. Quality of apps, based on 13 criteria, was mixed. Recommendations are made for researchers, app developers and funders, including the need for development of high quality physical activity apps incorporating and emphasising affective benefits, consideration of archiving processes for developed apps once development ceases, and collaboration between researchers, developers and users when designing apps.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Bradford

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Lamming, Laura

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Kellar, Ian
• Mohammed, Mohammed A.

• Physical activity
• Exercise
• Behaviour change
• App
• Smartphone
• Mood
• Affect
• Emotion
• Quality
• Apps

Statement dc:rights

• <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10454/18221

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/18221