摘要：Ferrara CM, Burke C, Fahey A. Descriptive Evaluation of FreeExercise Apps and Ability to Promote Physical Activity, JEPonline2018;21(2):64-69. The purpose of this study was to evaluate freeexercise apps available on iTunes and their potential for promotingphysical activity. Study investigators identified 153 free exerciseapps on iTunes. Written descriptions posted by the app developerswere evaluated by two investigators using the enabling andreinforcing components of the Precede-Proceed Health PromotionModel as a guide. Six factors (three enabling and three reinforcing)were evaluated, with one point recorded for each factor included in aparticular app. Enabling scores ranged from 0 to 3. One hundred andthirty-four (87.6%) apps included videos or pictures, while 123 apps(80.4%) included written instructions on how to perform exercises.Thirty-eight apps (24.8%) included the ability to track daily exercise.Reinforcing scores also ranged from 0 to 3. Fifty-five (36%) appsinterfaced with a social networking site, while 33 (21.6%) providedfeedback and support from a personal trainer. Fifteen (9.8%)included rewards for daily exercise. Total scores ranged from 0 to 5.No apps included all six factors. The present study suggests that themajority of exercise apps include videos, pictures, or writteninstructions on how to exercise. But many apps do not include basicfeatures that may help people to maintain an exercise program,including social support, feedback from a personal trainer, orrewards. Additional research is needed on how exercise apps can beutilized to promote physical activity.
