Evaluating user experiences of behaviour change techniques in health-related fitness apps: A qualitative study

Kim Straun; Graham Baker

Abstract

Objectives
The majority of health and fitness smartphone applications (apps) contain theoretically derived behaviour change techniques (BCTs). However, there is a lack of evidence linking user preferences of such technology with behaviour change content. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate user experiences of popular health related fitness apps and the perceived usefulness of BCTs during the behaviour change process of increasing physical activity (PA).

Design
A qualitative study design was used since it presented the most appropriate way to acquire the desired depth and richness of data related to user preferences and perceived usefulness of BCTs in apps.

Method
Participants (n = 10, aged 24-36 years) were physically active volunteers who were recruited through purposive convenience sampling. They took part in semi-structured, one-on-one in-person or telephone interviews. Thematic data analysis was conducted following the six phases advocated by Braun & Clarke (2006). The BCT taxonomy (BCTTv1; Michie et al, 2013) was used to map features of fitness apps, identified by users as integral components of behaviour change, to standardised BCTs.

Results
All participants engaged with app features mapping to the BCTs of self-monitoring (of behaviour) and feedback (on behaviour) leading o perceived increases in motivation to be active and sense of achievement. Participants engaged with a wide variety of additional features, not all of which linked to specific BCTs.

Conclusion
Fitness apps aiming to increase PA should include a variety of components to allow their participants to achieve successful behaviour change.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 2017
Event	The British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Annual Conference - Glasgow, United Kingdom Duration: 11 Dec 2017 → 12 Dec 2017

Conference

Conference	The British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Annual Conference
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Glasgow
Period	11/12/17 → 12/12/17

Research Groups and Themes

SPS Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences
SPS Health Social Care and Disability Research Centre

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Persistent link

Cite this

@conference{5e2f247ba21c4a339b2738140243e7a6,

title = "Evaluating user experiences of behaviour change techniques in health-related fitness apps: A qualitative study",

abstract = "Objectives The majority of health and fitness smartphone applications (apps) contain theoretically derived behaviour change techniques (BCTs). However, there is a lack of evidence linking user preferences of such technology with behaviour change content. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate user experiences of popular health related fitness apps and the perceived usefulness of BCTs during the behaviour change process of increasing physical activity (PA). Design A qualitative study design was used since it presented the most appropriate way to acquire the desired depth and richness of data related to user preferences and perceived usefulness of BCTs in apps. Method Participants (n = 10, aged 24-36 years) were physically active volunteers who were recruited through purposive convenience sampling. They took part in semi-structured, one-on-one in-person or telephone interviews. Thematic data analysis was conducted following the six phases advocated by Braun \& Clarke (2006). The BCT taxonomy (BCTTv1; Michie et al, 2013) was used to map features of fitness apps, identified by users as integral components of behaviour change, to standardised BCTs. Results All participants engaged with app features mapping to the BCTs of self-monitoring (of behaviour) and feedback (on behaviour) leading o perceived increases in motivation to be active and sense of achievement. Participants engaged with a wide variety of additional features, not all of which linked to specific BCTs. Conclusion Fitness apps aiming to increase PA should include a variety of components to allow their participants to achieve successful behaviour change. ",

author = "Kim Straun and Graham Baker",

year = "2017",

language = "English",

note = "The British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Annual Conference ; Conference date: 11-12-2017 Through 12-12-2017",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - Evaluating user experiences of behaviour change techniques in health-related fitness apps: A qualitative study

AU - Straun, Kim

AU - Baker, Graham

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Objectives The majority of health and fitness smartphone applications (apps) contain theoretically derived behaviour change techniques (BCTs). However, there is a lack of evidence linking user preferences of such technology with behaviour change content. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate user experiences of popular health related fitness apps and the perceived usefulness of BCTs during the behaviour change process of increasing physical activity (PA). Design A qualitative study design was used since it presented the most appropriate way to acquire the desired depth and richness of data related to user preferences and perceived usefulness of BCTs in apps. Method Participants (n = 10, aged 24-36 years) were physically active volunteers who were recruited through purposive convenience sampling. They took part in semi-structured, one-on-one in-person or telephone interviews. Thematic data analysis was conducted following the six phases advocated by Braun & Clarke (2006). The BCT taxonomy (BCTTv1; Michie et al, 2013) was used to map features of fitness apps, identified by users as integral components of behaviour change, to standardised BCTs. Results All participants engaged with app features mapping to the BCTs of self-monitoring (of behaviour) and feedback (on behaviour) leading o perceived increases in motivation to be active and sense of achievement. Participants engaged with a wide variety of additional features, not all of which linked to specific BCTs. Conclusion Fitness apps aiming to increase PA should include a variety of components to allow their participants to achieve successful behaviour change.

AB - Objectives The majority of health and fitness smartphone applications (apps) contain theoretically derived behaviour change techniques (BCTs). However, there is a lack of evidence linking user preferences of such technology with behaviour change content. This qualitative study aimed to evaluate user experiences of popular health related fitness apps and the perceived usefulness of BCTs during the behaviour change process of increasing physical activity (PA). Design A qualitative study design was used since it presented the most appropriate way to acquire the desired depth and richness of data related to user preferences and perceived usefulness of BCTs in apps. Method Participants (n = 10, aged 24-36 years) were physically active volunteers who were recruited through purposive convenience sampling. They took part in semi-structured, one-on-one in-person or telephone interviews. Thematic data analysis was conducted following the six phases advocated by Braun & Clarke (2006). The BCT taxonomy (BCTTv1; Michie et al, 2013) was used to map features of fitness apps, identified by users as integral components of behaviour change, to standardised BCTs. Results All participants engaged with app features mapping to the BCTs of self-monitoring (of behaviour) and feedback (on behaviour) leading o perceived increases in motivation to be active and sense of achievement. Participants engaged with a wide variety of additional features, not all of which linked to specific BCTs. Conclusion Fitness apps aiming to increase PA should include a variety of components to allow their participants to achieve successful behaviour change.

M3 - Conference Abstract

T2 - The British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Annual Conference

Y2 - 11 December 2017 through 12 December 2017

ER -