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Can a ‘rewards-for-exercise app’ increase physical activity, subjective well-being and sleep quality? An open-label single-arm trial among university staff with low to moderate physical activity levels

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Lemola, Sakari, Gkiouleka, Anna, Read, Brieze, Realo, Anu, Walasek, Lukasz, Tang, Nicole K. Y. and Elliott, Mark T. (2021) Can a ‘rewards-for-exercise app’ increase physical activity, subjective well-being and sleep quality? An open-label single-arm trial among university staff with low to moderate physical activity levels. BMC Public Health, 21 (1). 782. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10794-w

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10794-w

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Abstract

Background:
This study examined the impact of a ‘rewards-for-exercise’ mobile application on physical activity, subjective well-being and sleep quality among 148 employees in a UK university with low to moderate physical activity levels.

Methods:
A three-month open-label single-arm trial with a one-year follow-up after the end of the trial. Participants used the Sweatcoin application which converted their outdoor steps into a virtual currency used for the purchase of products available at the university campus’ outlets, using an in-app marketplace. The primary outcome measure was self-reported physical activity. Secondary measures included device-measured physical activity, subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect), and self-reported sleep quality.

Results:
The findings show an increase in self-reported physical activity (d = 0.34), life satisfaction (d = 0.31), positive affect (d = 0.29), and sleep quality (d = 0.22) during the three-month trial period.

Conclusion:
The study suggests that mobile incentives-for-exercise applications might increase physical activity levels, positive affect, and sleep quality, at least in the short term. The observed changes were not sustained 12 months after the end of the trial.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Psychology
Faculty of Science > WMG (Formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Incentive (Psychology), Exercise -- Psychological aspects, Mobile apps, Pedometers
Journal or Publication Title: BMC Public Health
Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd.
ISSN: 1471-2458
Official Date: 23 April 2021
Dates:
DateEvent
23 April 2021Published
23 April 2021Available
8 April 2021Accepted
Volume: 21
Number: 1
Article Number: 782
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10794-w
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:
Project/Grant IDRIOXX Funder NameFunder ID
102984Innovate UKhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100006041
G.HFPS.0002Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF)UNSPECIFIED
UNSPECIFIEDUniversity of Warwickhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000741

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