Impact of Mobile Fitness Game Apps on Motivation and Lifestyle Change Readiness
Keywords:
Mobile fitness game apps, motivation, lifestyle change readiness, gamification, exergames, randomized controlled trialAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of a mobile fitness game application on motivation and readiness for lifestyle change among adults using a randomized controlled trial design. Thirty participants from Slovakia (18 women, 12 men; mean age = 27.63 years, SD = 5.42) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). The intervention group engaged in a 15-session structured exergame program delivered via a mobile fitness game app over three months, while the control group received only general health education materials. Motivation was assessed with the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2) and readiness for lifestyle change with the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA). Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up. Repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests was conducted using SPSS-27. Significant time × group interaction effects were found for both motivation (F(2, 54) = 25.61, p < .001, η² = .49) and lifestyle change readiness (F(2, 54) = 25.41, p < .001, η² = .49). In the intervention group, motivation increased significantly from baseline (M = 2.96, SD = 0.51) to post-intervention (M = 3.87, SD = 0.46; p < .001) and was maintained at follow-up (M = 3.79, SD = 0.48). Similarly, readiness improved from baseline (M = 2.88, SD = 0.54) to post-intervention (M = 3.78, SD = 0.47; p < .001) and remained stable at follow-up (M = 3.70, SD = 0.45). No significant changes were observed in the control group. The findings suggest that mobile fitness game apps can effectively enhance motivation and readiness for lifestyle change, with improvements sustained for at least three months. These results underscore the potential of gamified mobile interventions as accessible and engaging tools for health promotion.
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