Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40065339›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

Mobile applications, physical activity, and health promotion.

Pedro Sousa Basto, Priscila Ferreira

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
18citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

18 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Pedro Sousa BastoNIPE, EEG, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-9021-6575
Priscila FerreiraNIPE, EEG, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal. priscila@eeg.uminho.pt.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2847-4174

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis paper studies the role of mobile applications in promoting physical activity and user loyalty to them. In doing so, our study offers fresh insights into the role of mobile applications in promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyles, filling gaps in the existing body of research.

methodsA non-probability purposive sample of adults who engage in physical exercise and use monitoring apps was selected, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect information.

resultsOur findings are suggestive that (i) physical exercise is more strongly associated with the continuous use of applications than with specific loyalty strategies; (ii) widespread use of apps that record and display historical results can boost regular physical activity, as users are motivated to surpass their previous outcomes. These results support the principle that 'more is better' in practice and intensity, suggesting that mobile technologies should be integrated into national health plans.

conclusionsMobile technologies should be encouraged by public policies, as these tools offer an accessible alternative for promoting public health. Policies could subsidize or facilitate the development of applications that integrate self-monitoring and personalized health plans aligned with public health guidelines. They could also include educational campaigns informing the population about these technologies' benefits and explaining how to use them to improve physical and mental health.

Indexed as

ExerciseHealth PromotionMobile ApplicationsAdultFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedDisease preventionMobile applicationsPhysical activityPhysical and mental healthPublic health promotion

Identifiers

PMID40065339
PMCPMC11892298

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.