Physical Activity Promotion in Children Using a Novel Smartphone Game: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

假比较器：Physical Activity Tracking App Only

Over a four week period, participants were asked to use the Fitbit app to track their daily physical activity.

行为的：Physical activity tracking app

Participants were asked to use the Fitbit app to track and sync their daily physical activity.

其他名称：

• Fitbit app

有源比较器：Physical Activity Tracking + Gamified Smartphone App

Over a four week period, participants were asked to use the Fitbit app to track their daily physical activity. Additionally, they were asked to use the gamified smartphone app, Draco, during the intervention period.

行为的：Gamified Smartphone App

The primary objective was to determine the acceptability and satisfaction of the Draco app among children. Secondary objective was to evaluate if the Draco app could improve physical activity levels (steps, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) and intrinsic motivation for physical activity in children. The gamified smartphone app, Draco, is a virtual pet simulator where you care for a pet by exercising, walking, and answering healthy lifestyle questions.

其他名称：

• Draco app

User satisfaction with gamified smartphone app

User satisfaction was measured using an adapted version of the short form Intrinsic Motivation Inventory used by Ahn, Johnsen & Ball, 2019. Items pertained to the enjoyment, satisfaction of using the app and if the experience was unenjoyable. Scores are rated on a 5 point Likert scale where 1 is the lowest score and 5 is the highest. 1 = Not true for me; 2 = Not really true for me; 3 = Sometimes true for me; 4 = Often true for me; 5 = Very true for me.

Acceptability with gamified smartphone app

Exit interviews were performed after the intervention period to determine satisfaction and acceptability. Questions related to their experience using the app, their physical activity behavior (before, during, and after the intervention period) and recommendations for app content

Steps

Steps were collected using a Fitbit over the intervention period. Fitbit is a previously validated and reliable instrument to measure physical activity (Feehan et al., 2018).

Physical activity minutes

Minutes of physical activity engaged in by the participants were collected using a Fitbit device worn by participants. The device is worn while the participant is engaging in physical activity. The intensity of exercise is calculated by heartrate. Fitbit is a previously validated and reliable instrument to measure physical activity (Feehan et al., 2018).

Motivation for physical activity

Motivation for physical activity was measured using an adapted version of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory used by Ahn, Johnsen & Ball, 2019. Questions related to perceived competence to physical activity, perceived autonomy to physical activity and perceived relatedness to the app. The items addressed perceived competence, perceived autonomy, and relatedness. Scores are rated on a 5 point Likert scale where 1 is the lowest score and 5 is the highest. 1 = Not true for me; 2 = Not really true for me; 3 = Sometimes true for me; 4 = Often true for me; 5 = Very true for me.