Development of the Theory-Based Exercise Education and Prescription Smartphone Application for Sedentary Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction: This study aims to develop and test a Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT) based mobile application in accordance with the evidence-based physical activity recommendations in order to improve the health-related physical fitness parameters of university students with inadequate levels of physical activity. Methods: Participants were selected from students at … University, who did not meet the lowest level of physical activity recommended by the World Health Organization and the American College of Sport Medicine for healthy adults for the past 6 months. Experimental research design with randomized control group was used in the study. Participants were randomly distributed into the experimental (n=63) and control groups (n=62). Participants in the experimental group performed an average of 40 minutes of aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises 4 days a week for 8 weeks, using the Exercise Education and Prescription (ERVE) mobile application, developed within the scope of the research. They also received CBT-based exercise education through the ERVE application. Participants were evaluated for health-related physical fitness parameters before and after the study. Results: As a result of the 8-week application through ERVE, the maximum oxygen consumption, maximum push-ups, maximum sit-ups, hand grip strength and body flexion values of the participants in the experimental group was found to statistically significantly differ than that of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: As a result, the ERVE mobile application can help university students with insufficient levels of physical activity increase their physical activity levels and improve some of the health-related physical fitness parameters.