Mobile App Support for Physical Activity

(STRIDES Trial)

Overseen By Courtney Monroe, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Carolina

Must not be taking: Insulin

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Heart condition, Dementia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

300 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a mobile app, the Mobile STRIDES app, to determine if adding social support can increase physical activity. It targets adults who fall short of recommended physical activity levels and wish to improve their exercise habits. Participants will join a team and use a smartwatch and app to track progress, with some teams receiving additional social support training. Those who have struggled to exercise enough and can walk a quarter mile without stopping might find this trial suitable. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative methods to enhance physical activity through new technology.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have a medical condition that affects the safety of a physical activity program, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this mobile app is safe for promoting physical activity?

Research has shown that mobile apps for physical activity, such as the Mobile STRIDES app, are generally safe to use. In one study involving 209 older adults, a similar app received positive feedback from most participants. Specifically, 151 individuals reported no major issues while using the app to assist with their exercise routines.

Although this study focused on older adults, the results suggest that the app can be safely used by people of different ages. Thus, using the Mobile STRIDES app to enhance physical activity is likely safe for most individuals. Additionally, the app aims to help users become more active, potentially leading to better overall health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Mobile STRIDES app because it offers a fresh approach to promoting physical activity by leveraging technology. Unlike other methods that might rely solely on self-motivation or generic fitness plans, the Mobile STRIDES app personalizes goals and provides real-time feedback via a Fitbit smartwatch. Additionally, it introduces a social support training component, aiming to boost motivation through team-based encouragement and accountability. This innovative blend of technology and social support training offers a dynamic way to engage users and potentially improve long-term physical activity habits.

What evidence suggests that the Mobile STRIDES app is effective for promoting physical activity?

Research has shown that mobile apps can help people become more active. One study found that using an app to guide exercise proved more effective than exercising without guidance. In this trial, participants will use the Mobile STRIDES app, which gathers health information and offers personalized advice to encourage more movement. Participants in the "Team Program" arm will receive personal physical activity goals and feedback, while those in the "Team+Training Program" arm will also receive digitally delivered social support training. Adding social support to these digital programs can boost motivation and activity levels. Overall, using a mobile app with social support can assist those who aren't getting enough exercise in becoming more active. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Courtney Monroe, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of South Carolina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults who aren't getting enough exercise according to physical activity guidelines. Participants will be part of self-selected teams and must have access to a smartphone. There are no specific exclusion criteria provided, but typically participants with health conditions that prevent safe engagement in physical activities might not qualify.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must have access to a smartphone (Android or iPhone operating system-based) with an internet connection

Participants must be insufficiently physically active (less than 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity equivalent aerobic physical activity as measured by waist-worn accelerometer)

Participants must be able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Participants who are pregnant, breastfeeding, less than 6 months post-partum, or plan to become pregnant during the time frame of the investigation

Participants participating in another physical activity study or program

Participants who report conditions that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator would render them unlikely to be able to independently follow the intervention protocol for 3 months, including conditions which might compromise their ability to engage independently with the intervention website materials and wearable physical activity tracker, as well as complete online questionnaires and adhere to wearing an accelerometer

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Initial assessment of physical activity levels and social support using questionnaires and accelerometers

1 week

Treatment

Participants receive a 3-month, technology-delivered physical activity intervention with or without social support training

12 weeks

Weekly electronic feedback

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical activity and social support at 3 and 12 months

9 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Mobile STRIDES app

Trial Overview The study tests a mobile app called Mobile STRIDES with different features: psychoeducation, self-regulation, and social support training. It aims to see if the social support feature helps increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (like brisk walking) more than the other features over 3 and 12 months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Team+Training Program Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Teams randomized to this arm will receive the same intervention as the Team study arm, as well as digitally delivered social support training.

Group II: Team Program Active Control 2 Interventions

Teams randomized to this arm will be provided with personal physical activity goals focused on moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity minutes and steps. They will also be provided with a Fitibt wearable smartwatch for self-monitoring physical activity, receive weekly electronic feedback for the first month of the intervention about their physical activity progress, and have access to a mobile-compatible study web app containing behavior change content and physical activity progress information.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

233

Recruited

122,000+

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Collaborator

Trials

2,513

Recruited

4,366,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The iPedometer application for iPhone was found to be inaccurate in counting steps compared to a reliable StepWatch 3 Step Activity Monitor and a tally counter, especially at various walking speeds.

Out of all tested conditions, the iPedometer only showed a positive correlation in step counting when used on the arm at the slowest speed, indicating it is not a valid tool for monitoring physical activity during treadmill walking.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is there a valid app for that? Validity of a free pedometer iPhone application. Bergman, RJ., Spellman, JW., Hall, ME., et al.[2022]

In a randomized controlled trial involving 209 elderly participants (average age 80), a home-based exercise program was found to be generally safe, with 151 adverse events reported, affecting 47% of participants.

Despite the program's safety, 14% of the adverse events were serious, highlighting that high levels of pre-existing morbidity in this population can pose challenges to maintaining consistent exercise participation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events in mobility-limited and chronically ill elderly adults participating in an exercise intervention study supported by general practitioner practices. Hinrichs, T., Bücker, B., Wilm, S., et al.[2015]

A systematic review of 35 studies involving 7454 participants found that mobile app and tracker interventions led to a small-to-moderate increase in physical activity, equating to an average of 1850 additional steps per day.

Interventions that included text messaging and personalized features were particularly effective, suggesting that these elements enhance user engagement and activity levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do smartphone applications and activity trackers increase physical activity in adults? Systematic review, meta-analysis and metaregression. Laranjo, L., Ding, D., Heleno, B., et al.[2021]

Researchers in resistance training studies often lack clear guidance and motivation for thorough adverse event (AE) reporting, which can lead to inconsistent practices.

There is a need for exercise-specific guidelines for AE reporting, as current standards are perceived as not applicable to exercise trials, highlighting the importance of tailored strategies to improve reporting consistency.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Researchers' perspectives on adverse event reporting in resistance training trials: a qualitative study. El-Kotob, R., Pagcanlungan, JR., Craven, BC., et al.[2022]

The ADVANCE study aims to evaluate how adverse events (AEs) are reported in exercise oncology trials, which is crucial for assessing the safety of exercise interventions for cancer patients.

By reviewing published trials and using a standardized checklist for reporting AEs, the study seeks to identify gaps in current practices and inform future research on improving the consistency and transparency of AE reporting in this field.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse Events Reporting of Clinical Trials in Exercise Oncology Research (ADVANCE): Protocol for a Scoping Review. Luo, H., Schumacher, O., Galvão, DA., et al.[2022]

In a 1.5-year study involving 274 male veterans with cardiovascular disease risk factors, only one serious adverse event (atrial fibrillation) occurred, indicating that a progressive walking program can be safely recommended for high-risk individuals.

While minor musculoskeletal issues were common, over half of the reported adverse events were unrelated to the exercise program, highlighting the need for strategies to help individuals with chronic illnesses safely resume physical activity after any health setbacks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events among high-risk participants in a home-based walking study: a descriptive study. Goodrich, DE., Larkin, AR., Lowery, JC., et al.[2022]

In a review of over 5,500 participants from 11 physical activity interventions, no serious study-related adverse events were reported, indicating a high level of safety in these exercise programs.

While minor musculoskeletal injuries were noted, the studies emphasized a 'start low and go slow' approach, suggesting that moderate-intensity physical activity is safe and effective for sedentary, chronically ill, or older populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Screening, safety, and adverse events in physical activity interventions: collaborative experiences from the behavior change consortium. Ory, M., Resnick, B., Jordan, PJ., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-physical-activities-2025-10587

Mobile App Support for Physical Activity (STRIDES Trial) This app-based approach allows for continuous health data collection and personalized interventions, making it a novel tool for increasing physical activity.

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34409104/

Effectiveness of Smartphone-Based Physical Activity ... The findings in this review suggest that mobile application physical activity interventions, compared to unguided exercise activities, can effectively improve ...

3. bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-025-12489-z

Mobile applications, physical activity, and health promotion This paper studies the role of mobile applications in promoting physical activity and user loyalty to them.

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07135843

NCT07135843 | Digital Home-Based Physical Activity ... The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a 12-week digital home-based intervention program, consisting of a tablet-based exercise ...

5. jacc.org jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100613

Mobile Health Fitness Interventions: Impact of Features on ... The authors aimed to evaluate which features facilitate and impede routine engagement with mobile fitness applications.

6. mobilestrides.com mobilestrides.com/

Mobile Strides | This study will examine two different approaches to using technology to help teams of people become more physically active.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11892298/

Mobile applications, physical activity, and health promotion This paper studies the role of mobile applications in promoting physical activity and user loyalty to them.

8. stridesapp.com stridesapp.com/privacy.html

Privacy Policy We created this privacy policy to explain, in plain English, how we handle data, including any 'Personally identifiable information' (PII).

9. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2020/3/e17046/

Mobile Apps for Health Behavior Change in Physical Activity ... This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of mobile apps in improving health behaviors and outcomes