Multiphase Activity Promotion Study

The purpose of the proposed study is to test the efficacy of individual components of a
smartphone application designed using theories of human behavior to promote physical
activity in low-active adults. Smartphones have become commonplace: approximately two-thirds
of adults own a smartphone. They allow for wireless internet connectivity and the ability to
communicate via voice and text message at any time. Perhaps most importantly from the
perspective of behavior change, the devices are often carried on the person at all times. In
recent years researchers have attempted to use these devices to promote physical activity,
but continue to encounter a number of barriers. Notably, development in the commercial
sector far outpaces the standard randomized controlled trial (RCT) cycle. As a result,
researchers utilizing RCT designs find it difficult to publish findings that are relevant to
current technology. Additionally, this approach typically examines a full application that
includes a package of features, making it difficult to draw conclusions about single
intervention components. This has resulted in a commercial sector that produces a large
number of physical activity applications that are not evidence based. The present study uses
a factorial design to study the individual and combined efficacy of two theory-based
modules: A guided goal-setting module, and a points-based feedback system. If successful,
the results of this study will help to guide a fast-moving commercial sector toward the
development evidence-based applications, which has the potential to yield a large public
health impact.

To test these aims, adults will be recruited from Champaign-Urbana, IL, and surrounding
communities to participate in a 12-week home-based and self-guided physical activity
program. Eligible individuals will complete baseline questionnaires and informed consent
online, and will wear an activity monitor for one week. Upon completion of questionnaires,
participants will be randomly assigned to one of four conditions:

1. . The Base-App (BA) condition (i.e., Group D; so named due to the factorial design used
in this study) will receive only a base-level smartphone app that contains three
components common in computerized behavioral interventions: physical activity-related
educational content (i.e., weekly videos, additional resources, easy weekly quiz
questions), manual physical activity tracking, and instantaneous graphical feedback. As
the physical activity program is goal-directed, these individuals will also receive
printed goal setting worksheets.

2. . The BA+PT condition (i.e., Group C) will receive the Base-App plus an instantaneous
points-based feedback module (PT) that provides "program points" for every task in the
application (e.g., tracking physical activities, watching educational videos), and
these are weighted by difficulty of the task. Points accumulate to earn "levels", and
every fifth level brings a new motivational prompt and "badge" depicting an initially
unfit character becoming increasing fit. Every tenth level will earn the participant a
new "title" (e.g., "Intermediate Exerciser"). These points, levels, badges, and titles
serve to provide instant positive feedback on progress within the program. These
individuals will also receive printed goal setting worksheets.

3. . The BA+GS condition (i.e., Group B) will receive the Base-App plus a fully guided
goal-setting module (GS). This module is based upon health behavior theory, emphasizing
gradual exercise progression and highly specific, realistic, and measurable goals. The
module will guide participants in setting both long and short term goals: each week,
those with access to the GS module will be prompted to revisit and reset their goals.
At this time, participants will select several aerobic and non-aerobic activities for
the week, and will set a frequency (days per week) and duration (minutes per session)
for each type of activity. To emphasize gradual progression, participants will receive
a minimum, maximum, and recommended frequency and duration, and these will be
calculated automatically within the app based upon performance in previous weeks.

4. . The BA+GS+PT condition (i.e., Group A) will receive all application components (i.e.,
Base-App, goal setting, instantaneous feedback). In addition to the features described
above, program points accompany goal-related tasks (i.e., setting goals, revisiting
goals, achieving goals).

Following completion of questionnaires, all participants will attend a group-specific
orientation session. During this session, trained research staff will provide an
introduction to the smartphone application used in the study and all relevant features, as
well as a one-on-one physical activity counseling session in which staff members will work
with participants to set initial aerobic and non-aerobic physical activity goals. During
this time, participants will also be introduced to the goal-directed nature of the MAPS
physical activity program. Short term (i.e., weekly) goals will specify the types of aerobic
and non-aerobic activities that the individual will engage in, as well as the frequency and
duration with which they will engage in these activities. Each participant's initial
long-term goal will reflect federal physical activity recommendations. Accordingly, each
participant will work toward achieving 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity,
and at least two days of full-body muscle strengthening exercises within the 12-week
intervention period. Staff will work with participants to modify these long-term goals based
upon the participant's current abilities and physical activity level.

The program will begin on the Sunday following the orientation session. On each Sunday of
the program, a new educational module related to basic health and health behavior concepts
will be released, and participants will receive a brief email containing information related
to the weekly educational content with a reminder to watch the new video. With the exception
of the first week, these emails will also provide specific feedback (i.e., minutes of
exercise, average intensity, and average enjoyment) from the previous week, and for those
with access to guided goal setting the email will also provide feedback and advice based on
whether or not the previous week's goals were met. Finally, each email will prompt the
participant to revisit their short and long term goals, and adjust them as necessary. At
this time, participants with the guided goal setting module will be brought immediately to
that module upon entering the app, and will be asked to revisit and reset their short term
goals. This process will include a recommended frequency and duration based upon previous
performance in the program. Participants will also be prompted to set a new long term goal
in the event that they achieved their previous long term goal during the week. For those
without guided goal setting, this process will be carried out using traditional printed goal
setting worksheets.

During each week, participants will utilize application features to track exercises as they
do them, view their feedback, review their weekly goals, and view educational content. On
each Thursday, participants will receive a text message update based upon their progress
during the week. For those who have not accessed the app during the week, and for those who
have not yet tracked activity during the week, a brief prompt will remind them to do so. For
those who have tracked activity, a brief message will provide for them an update on the
number of sessions and minutes of activity for the week.

During the final week of the program, participants will once again receive the activity
monitor via mail and will be asked to wear it for one week. On completion of the 12-week
program, participants will receive an email informing them that the program has completed.
This email will also provide a link to follow-up questionnaires. At this time, research
staff will also contact the participant to schedule a follow-up appointment, which will take
no more than 60 minutes. During this appointment, participants will return the activity
monitor and will complete a post-study survey assessing their experiences with the MAPS
program and with the MAPS research staff.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Aged 30-54 years;

- Own an Apple iPhone or Android smartphone;

- Have consistent access to mobile internet and text messaging;

- Are low-active (i.e., do not engage in 30 or more minutes of moderate to vigorous
physical activity on two or more days per week).

Exclusion Criteria:

- Inability to communicate in English;

- Presence of cognitive impairment;

- Presence of any medical contraindication to exercise;

- Inability to walk without assistance;

- Enrollment in another physical activity study.