Feasibility, acceptability and potential impact of a ParticipACTION app-based intervention to improve post-secondary students’ movement behaviours: a proof-of-concept study

Adherence to Canada’s 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (24HMG) is low among post-secondary students, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mobile health (mHealth) offers scalable avenues for behaviour change, yet its feasibility in this population and context is untested. To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a theory-driven mHealth intervention designed to promote adherence to the 24HMG behaviours (i.e. moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity [MVPA], sedentary behaviour, and sleep). A multicentre, single-arm proof-of-concept study was conducted in Fall 2021 at Queen’s University (Ontario) and the University of British Columbia. Eligible first-year students who self-reported <150 min/week of MVPA and low-to-average mental well-being were enrolled in a 6-week in-app content journey (12 short articles, four weekly push notifications) plus campus-specific resource packs and received a Fitbit Inspire 2 to track movement behaviours. Feasibility metrics (i.e. recruitment, retention, device adherence), acceptability (i.e. in-app engagement, satisfaction surveys, interviews), and preliminary outcomes (i.e. movement behaviours; 24HMG awareness and knowledge; 24HMG capability, opportunity, motivation) were analysed using descriptive statistics, multilevel modelling, and inductive content analysis. Of the 303 students screened, 77 were eligible for participation and 68 enrolled in the study ( M age = 18.1 ± 0.3 years; 72% women). Ninety-eight percent completed Fitbit data collection and 76% completed baseline and post-intervention surveys. Sixty-three percent of participants clicked at least one intervention article ( M = 5.8 ± 4.1 of 12); app satisfaction scores were 5.5/7 or higher for all items. Awareness of the 24HMG rose from 26 to 54%, and well-being improved modestly ( d = 0.22), while MVPA, light activity, sedentary time, and sleep remained unchanged. Qualitative acceptability themes highlighted guideline reinforcement, motivation through learning, tracking behaviour fosters agency, and the importance of delivery mechanics. Delivering a brief, 24HMG-based mHealth intervention with wearable integration is operationally feasible and well-received on Canadian campuses, successfully boosting guideline literacy during a stressful academic term. However, the lack of app technical features desired by participants and limited funding to transfer to a new app platform led to the decision to not progress to a traditional efficacy randomized controlled trial.