Increasing Employee Physical Activity Using Goal Setting and a Smartphone App

Abstract

Physical inactivity is a high-priority public health issue in U.S. worksites. There is evidence that physical activity (PA) goal-setting interventions can be effective. Smartphone apps have also been used to deliver accessible and appealing PA interventions. This article describes the use of goal setting and a no-cost PA smartphone app to pilot an 8-week PA intervention, Project Move 2.0, to increase PA among a nonprofit health and social assistance workforce. The community-based partnership identified intervention strategies that addressed moderators for setting PA goals: feedback, goal commitment, situational factors, and ability. The intervention included the use of a no-cost smartphone app for tracking steps/goal setting, an orientation/health education session, weekly text messages, as well as pre- and post-measures for goal setting for PA behaviors and an intervention evaluation questionnaire. There is limited knowledge on the practical aspects of applying goal setting and the use of a no-cost smartphone app to increase employee PA through a workplace PA intervention. Applying goal setting and the use of a no-cost smartphone app shows promise for workplace health promoters to successfully address employee PA.