Think About It: Promoting Physical Activity With a Mobile App With a Theory-Based Approach

Currently, people’s highly busy lifestyles and sedentary behavior contribute negatively to multiple health factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the different sanitary measures, such as limited mobility and the closing of gyms and sports centers, have contributed to limited physical activity. In this context, there are several apps to enhance physical activity across all mobile stores with an emphasis on mobile sensing. However, the use of a formal theory incorporated into the app development and interventions is less evident. A theory-based approach contributes to understanding the reasons and situations in which an intervention strategy can have an impact. The present work considers the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), which addresses persuasion and attitude change. Can we develop a persuasive app that promotes physical activity based on contemporary attitudes and behavioral change theories? We developed a mobile application for Android OS. Then, 63 participants tested it, and were encouraged to think of ideas or arguments in favor of doing physical activity in a high elaboration task. A mediation analysis was done, with results showing that attitudes partially mediate the association between thought and physical activity. Participants’ thoughts were seen to be positively correlated with their attitudes; and, in turn, participants’ attitudes were correlated with their behavioral intention (to do physical activity). This suggests that a theory-based approach for the active production of biased beliefs is effective when designing an app that encourages positive attitudes toward physical activity.