Digital Literacy Training and Acceptance of Physical Activity Apps in Older Women

The Effect of Digital Literacy Training on Physical Activity App Acceptance and Behavioral Intentions Among Older Women: An Experimental Study

This randomized controlled study examined whether a structured digital literacy training program could improve eHealth literacy, acceptance of physical activity applications, and behavioral intentions among older women. Participants aged 55 years and older with prior experience using physical activity applications were randomly assigned to either a 9-week face-to-face digital literacy training intervention or a control group that continued usual daily activities without receiving any educational program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The study evaluated whether improving digital literacy enhances technology acceptance and supports intentions to use physical activity applications and engage in physical activity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Physical Activity; eHealth Literacy; Technology Acceptance
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Digital Literacy Training Program

Detailed Description

Physical activity is an important factor supporting health, independence, and quality of life among older adults; however, many individuals face barriers to maintaining regular activity. Digital solutions, such as physical activity applications, may help promote activity, but their acceptance among older adults remains inconsistent and is influenced by digital literacy and related factors.

This study examined whether a structured digital literacy training intervention could improve eHealth literacy, acceptance of physical activity applications, and behavioral intentions related to application use and physical activity among older women. Older women were selected as the target population due to evidence suggesting lower levels of digital literacy and lower acceptance of health technologies in this group. The study was based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), supplemented with personal innovativeness.

A randomized controlled pre-post experimental design was used. Participants aged 55 years and older with prior experience using physical activity applications were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Following baseline assessment, participants were assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group received a structured digital literacy training program, while the control group continued usual daily activities without intervention.

The intervention consisted of a structured 9-week face-to-face digital literacy training program focused on developing practical skills for using physical activity applications. The training emphasized hands-on practice, individualized support, and progressive skill development.

Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Measures included eHealth literacy, UTAUT2-based technology acceptance constructs (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, habit, and personal innovativeness), intention to use physical activity applications, and intention to engage in physical activity.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 63
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Lithuania
  • Lithuania
    • Kaunas, Lithuania, Lithuania, 44221
      • Lithuanian Sports University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female sex
• Age ≥55 years
• Prior experience using physical activity applications (current or former users)
• Engagement in at least minimal physical activity (≥1 time per week)
• Access to a smartphone
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Male sex
• Age <55 years
• No prior experience using physical activity applications
• Not engaging in at least minimal physical activity (less than once per week)
• No access to a smartphone
• Inability to understand the study procedures or provide informed consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Digital Literacy Training Intervention; Participants in this group received a structured 9-week digital literacy training program focused on improving skills in using physical activity applications. The intervention included weekly face-to-face sessions, practical exercises, and guided support to enhance eHealth literacy, technology acceptance, and engagement with physical activity apps.	Behavioral: Digital Literacy Training Program; The intervention consisted of a structured 9-week digital literacy training program delivered through weekly face-to-face sessions lasting approximately 60 minutes. The program focused on developing practical skills in using physical activity applications, including app selection, installation, navigation, privacy settings, goal setting, activity tracking, and interpretation of activity data. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and received individualized support to enhance their eHealth literacy and confidence in using mobile health technologies. Printed instructional materials and home practice tasks were provided to reinforce learning and encourage independent use of applications.
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in this group continued their usual daily activities without receiving any digital literacy training or structured intervention during the study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in eHealth literacy	eHealth literacy was assessed using the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), an 8-item self-report measure of perceived knowledge, confidence, and skills in locating, evaluating, and applying electronic health information for health-related purposes. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Total scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating better eHealth literacy.	Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks
Change in physical activity application acceptance	Physical activity application acceptance was assessed using constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation, and habit, with personal innovativeness included as an additional construct. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), and scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating greater acceptance of physical activity applications.	Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in intention to use physical activity applications	Intention to use physical activity applications was assessed using items based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), reflecting participants' willingness and likelihood to use physical activity applications in the future. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), and scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating stronger intention to use physical activity applications.	Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks
Change in intention to engage in physical activity	Intention to engage in physical activity was assessed using self-report items measuring participants' motivation and planned behavior to be physically active. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree), and scores range from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating stronger intention to engage in physical activity.	Baseline and post-intervention at 9 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lithuanian Sports University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Baubonytė S. The Effect of Digital Literacy Training on Physical Activity App Acceptance and Behavioral Intentions Among Older Women: An Experimental Study. Preprints. 2026;2026021419. doi:10.20944/preprints202602.1419.v1

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 21, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 28, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): March 28, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 31, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 13, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 7, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: mobile health; eHealth; older women; randomized controlled study; digital literacy; UTAUT2; behavioral intention; physical activity apps
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavior; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: LithuanianSportsU-30

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared due to privacy and ethical considerations, including the need to protect participant confidentiality and comply with data protection regulations.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No