A new publication based on the Move4Fun research has been published in Retos journal.
The paper titled “Adolescents’ Perspectives on Smartphone Applications for Physical Activity Promotion: Insights from Focus Group Discussions” presents the results of the research conducted with adolescents from five European countries, offering insights into how they perceive physical activity (PA) and PA apps.
Among some of the key results, we discovered that some of the most effective Behaviour Chance Techniques (BCTs) to keep teens engaged in physical activity apps are:
☑️ Self-monitoring
☑️ Rewards
☑️ Feedback
☑️ Social support
☑️ Action planning
☑️ Reminders
This paper’s findings laid the foundation for the design of the Move4Fun app, ensuring that it includes engaging and fun features that align with the users’ preferences. Through an evidence-based approach, the app will encourage adolescents to practice regular physical activity, and “nurture the holistic development of physically educated citizens”
https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/retos/article/view/104357/77905
Authors: *Lúcia Gomes, *Diogo Teixeira, **Malgorzata Slawinska, ***Paul Davis, ****Marcos López-Flores, ***Markus Nyström, *Marlene Silva, *António Palmeira, *Hugo Pereira
*Universidade Lusófona (Portugal), **Institute of Sport(Poland), ***UmeåUniversity (Sweden), ****European Network for Innovation and Knowledge(Spain)Abstract. Purpose:This study explores how children and adolescents perceive physical activity (PA) and PA apps. We aim to under-stand their perceptions, past experiences, and expectations of PA and PA apps. Methods:Participants (N=39) aged 11-15 from five European countries:Netherlands (NL), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Spain (ES), and Sweden (SWE)participated in the study. They provided insight regarding Behaviour Chance Techniques (BCTs)that enhance app engagement.Results:The results offer valuable insights for creating fun and engaging adolescent PA appsthat meetdiverse user preferences. They also provide invaluable guidance for designing PA apps that boost adolescents’ enjoyment, fun, and engagement while considering a broad spectrum of user preferences. Key BCTs identified as significantly impactingapp engagementincludedself-monitoring, rewards, feedback, social support, action planning, and reminders -preferences and suggestions varied by gender, age, and PA levels.Conclusions:Findings in the present study inform the MOVE4FUN project that contributes to understanding how BCTs promote sustained PA in adolescents. It underscores the pivotal role of personalised app design and a supportive climate in fulfillingindividual needs and intrinsic goals.These insights contrib-ute significantly to developingeducational tools that encourage regular PA and nurture the holistic development of physically educated citizens.
Keywords: Children and adolescents, Physical Activity; PA Apps; Behaviour Chance Techniques.
