ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2018
Using a Mobile Social Networking App to Promote Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study of Users' Perspectives.
Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
25 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 72 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effectiveness of Digital Health Interventions in Promoting Physical Activity Among College Students: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of medical Internet research · 2024Pooled it
- Key influences on university students' physical activity: a systematic review using the Theoretical Domains Framework and the COM-B model of human behaviour.BMC public health · 2024Pooled it
- Using photovoice to explore young women's experiences of behaviour change techniques in physical activity mobile apps.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2023Trial
- Engagement with a Web-Based Health Promotion Intervention among Vocational School Students: A Secondary User and Usage Analysis.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Trial
- Mobile apps for cancer patient education: a technology foresight analysis.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Beyond accessibility: co-designing mHealth to bridge the physical activity gap for people with disabilities.mHealth · 2026Article
- Active Play in a Digital Age, Exploring Children's (Aged 8-13 Years) Views of a Physical Activity App: Qualitative Formative Study.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- Smartphone Apps and Wearables for Health Parameters in Young Adulthood: Cross-Sectional Study.JMIR human factors · 2025Article
- The relationship between social networking site body talk and college students' physical Activity: The role of upward appearance comparisons and self-compassion.SSM - population health · 2025Article
- Article
- The code of sustainable success in fitness apps: social comparison mechanism enabled by user facilitated supports.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Improving physical activity among prostate cancer survivors through a peer-based digital walking program.AMIA ... Annual Symposium proceedings. AMIA Symposium · 2023Article
- The Impact of a Place-Tailored Digital Health App Promoting Exercise Classes on African American Women's Physical Activity and Obesity: Simulation Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Article
- What Works Best to Engage Participants in Mobile App Interventions and e-Health: A Scoping Review.Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association · 2022Article
- Application of the IDEAS Framework in Adapting a Web-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Young Adult College Students.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Applying Mobile Technology to Sustain Physical Activity After Completion of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Acceptability Study.JMIR human factors · 2021Article
- Young adults' preferences for influenza vaccination campaign messages: Implications for COVID-19 vaccine intervention design and development.Brain, behavior, & immunity - health · 2021Article
- Agent-Oriented Goal Models in Developing Information Systems Supporting Physical Activity Among Adolescents: Literature Review and Expert Interviews.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Review
- Interplay of Support, Comparison, and Surveillance in Social Media Weight Management Interventions: Qualitative Study.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Article
- A Mobile Social Networking App for Weight Management and Physical Activity Promotion: Results From an Experimental Mixed Methods Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDespite 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.
objectiveThe aim of this study was to understand users' perspectives regarding a mobile social networking intervention to promote physical activity.
methodsParticipants, 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.
resultsIn 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.
conclusionsSelf-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.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.