Interactive Physical Activity Apps: Do the ABACUS and the MARS Measure Up? A Descriptive Analysis of Behaviour Change Taxonomies

The ubiquitous use of digital tools may be beneficial for improving physical activity across diverse populations. It remains unknown however, how publicly available, cost-free physical activity apps adhere to behaviour change techniques, and how users rate these apps. To explore the number of publicly available physical activity apps and relationships among behaviour science techniques, subjective quality, and user ratings. Exploratory content analysis of 17 apps meeting inclusion criteria. The App Behaviour Change Scale (ABACUS) and Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) were used to code each downloaded app for behaviour change techniques, app functionality, and subjective quality. App store user ratings were also collected along with descriptive data about each app. All apps were commercially affiliated, targeted adult populations, and centered on changing behaviour, setting goals, and addressing physical health. No apps addressed all 21 ABACUS items; apps included 12.8 {+/-} 2.4 indicators, ranging from 8-18 indicators. The three most common ABACUS indicators were: i) collection of baseline information, ii) instructional PA content, and iii) ability for app to give user feedback. The three least common ABACUS indicators were: i) ability to export data, ii) consequences for physical activity dis/continuance, and iii) allows for planning of barriers. No apps included all 12 MARS focus areas; 94.1% of apps allowed goal setting, 58.8% addressed physical health, and 41.2% included a mindfulness focus. Linear regressions explored relationships for app user ratings; aggregated MARS domains accounted for 54% of the variance. Publicly available physical activity apps may be a useful approach to improving physical activity uptake and adherence among harder-to-reach populations including low socioeconomic status groups. App developers should consider incorporating more behaviour change techniques within cost-free apps to improve user uptake and ultimately improve physical activity associated health outcomes. Author SummaryDigital technology proliferates all facets of life and populations, and may contribute to improved health behaviours including physical activity. However, access to supportive technology may be limited by cost for example, as many popular physical activity apps require paid subscriptions. It is unknown whether cost-free physical activity apps adhere to behaviour change recommendations and how these apps are rated by users. This research explored cost-free, publicly available physical activity apps and their respective relationships with behaviour change techniques as well as app-store user ratings. Only 17 apps met inclusion criteria, and were compared against one behaviour change scale and one app quality scale. All apps had commercial motivations and focused on physical activity for adult populations. Most commonly, apps collected user info at baseline, provided physical activity instructional content, and provided feedback to users. Apps were generally rated positively by users based on app-store star ratings. Cost-free physical activity apps may be useful tools for users looking to improve physical activity for individuals who are limited by their socioeconomic situation. However, greater emphasis on evidence-based behaviour change approaches may be necessary to improve health outcomes for users.