None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Commercial physical activity apps (e.g., Strava) have widespread reach and accessibility, and hold great potential to increase physical activity engagement. The use of social components of such apps, in particular app-specific communities (connecting with other app users) and existing social media platforms (e.g., Facebook) have the potential to enhance physical activity. This study is a 3-arm pilot randomised controlled trial that aims to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention incorporating a commercially available app (Strava) and its associated social features (Strava community +/- Facebook) to improve physical activity levels.
Interventions
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of an intervention incorporating a commercially available app (Strava) on physical activity behaviour. Strava is a widely used, free app that enables individuals to track and monitor their physical activity behaviour. This study also seeks to isolate the value of the social features of Strava in facilitating physical activity, by examining the use of the Strava community and an existing social media platform (Facebook).
A pilot randomised controll
The aim of this study is to examine the effect of an intervention incorporating a commercially available app (Strava) on physical activity behaviour. Strava is a widely used, free app that enables individuals to track and monitor their physical activity behaviour. This study also seeks to isolate the value of the social features of Strava in facilitating physical activity, by examining the use of the Strava community and an existing social media platform (Facebook). A pilot randomised controlled trial will be conducted, with participants randomly allocated to one of three conditions: 1) Strava only (and use of the Strava community), 2) Strava + Facebook (and use of the Strava community), 3) waitlisted control condition. Participants in all three conditions will be provided with an Information Sheet about the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines, and provided with a goal of engaging in 30 minutes of at least moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., activity that makes you feel out of breathe, for example brisk walking, swimming, jogging, cycling) on at least five days per week (The Department of Health, 2019). Participants allocated to the Strava only and Strava + Facebook conditions will be guided through the installation of Strava on their smartphone, and will also be provided with a brief overview of how to use the various features of Strava, including the Strava community (connecting with other users within Strava). Participants in the Strava + Facebook condition will be shown how to share tracked physical activity from Strava to Facebook, and asked to do so for the duration of the study. They will also be provided with information related to the benefits of sharing tracked physical activity to Facebook. Intervention engagement will be measured by monitoring participants’ Strava accounts and personal Facebook accounts.
Sponsors
Flinders University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Prevention
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Aged 18 years and over Live independently (without assistance) in Metropolitan Adelaide Possess a smartphone (iPhone or Android) Use Facebook regularly (on at least 4 days per week) Insufficiently active (not currently achieving the Australian guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week) Not currently using a physical activity app and sharing the tracked data to the app community (other app users) or social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram) Have not used Strava in the past 12 months Fluent in English
Exclusion criteria
Existing medical conditions for which individuals have been advised by a doctor to avoid physical activity.
Outcome results
None listed