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Effectiveness of Mobile Applications Running on Smartphones to Promote Physical Activity: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Author

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  • Anabela G. Silva

    (CINTESIS.UA, School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Patrícia Simões

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Alexandra Queirós

    (IEETA, School of Health Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Nelson P Rocha

    (IEETA, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Mário Rodrigues

    (IEETA, Higher School of Technology and Management of Águeda, University of Aveiro, R. Cmte, Pinho e Freitas 5, 3750-127 Águeda, Portugal)

Abstract

Mobile applications reach a high number of individuals at low costs. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of mobile application-based interventions to increase physical activity (PA) and self-efficacy and to decrease sedentarism. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs investigating the effect of PA interventions using an app compared to no intervention or traditional interventions were included. Pooled effects using the standardized mean difference (SMD) or the weighted mean difference (WMD) were calculated and the overall quality of the evidence was rated using the GRADE. Eleven studies were included. In the short term, pooled estimates showed a small and positive effect in the number of steps favoring interventions using a mobile app when compared with no interventions (WMD = 1579.04, 95%CI 454.04 to 2703.38) and with traditional interventions (WMD = 665.96, 95%CI 167.92 to 1164.00). For self-efficacy and at follow-up, results favoured traditional interventions (WMD = −8.20, 95%CI −14.25 to −2.15). Non-significant results were found for the remaining comparisons. The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to low. There is very low to low quality evidence that interventions using mobile apps running on smartphones, when combined with traditional interventions, are superior to traditional interventions in the short term. Further high-quality studies are required.

Suggested Citation

  • Anabela G. Silva & Patrícia Simões & Alexandra Queirós & Nelson P Rocha & Mário Rodrigues, 2020. "Effectiveness of Mobile Applications Running on Smartphones to Promote Physical Activity: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2251-:d:337694
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Louis Moustakas & Anna Szumilewicz & Xian Mayo & Elisabeth Thienemann & Andrew Grant, 2020. "Foresight for the Fitness Sector: Results from a European Delphi Study and Its Relevance in the Time of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Fabian Nunes & Patrício Domingues & Miguel Frade, 2024. "The Digital Footprints on the Run: A Forensic Examination of Android Running Workout Applications," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-23, August.

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