Date of Completion

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Keywords

Physical Activity

Abstract

Previous research provides evidence on the increasing sedentarism of university students as a result of lacking motivation to perform physical activity (PA). However, few discuss the effect of a smartphone health app in addressing this concern. The research sought to determine whether a smartphone health app, specifically MyFitnessPal, will influence the motivation to do physical activity among 1st and 2nd year DLSMHSI Physical Therapy students. To examine this, a single group pre and post-test quasi-experimental design with a one-week duration was utilized. Participants were first given a screening questionnaire using the IPAQ-SF to filter out physically active individuals. A total of 3 participants participated and downloaded the MyFitnessPal application on their smartphones and accomplished the Cravings for Rest and Volitional Energy Expenditure (CRAVE) questionnaire to measure their motivation for the pre-test and 2 post-tests. This is supplemented by MyFitnessPal’s step count feature as an objective means to measure physical activity. Analysis of the results between post-test 1 and 2 showed an increase in motivation to move. While the pre and post-test 1 showed an increase in motivation to rest. Pre and post-test 2 showed little to no change in motivation to rest. The research indicates that the use of a smartphone app can influence the level of motivation, but further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. On this basis, it is recommended that students use smartphone health apps to track physical activity to promote a non-sedentary lifestyle. Further research is needed to determine the other variables that come into play in the sustenance of an active lifestyle and determine the long-term effects of the app on motivation to do physical activity.

First Advisor

Cattleya Marie R. Bragado

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