Examining the Real-World Effectiveness of the Movr App

The shoulder reach flexibility test was used to assess upper body flexibility and the sit and reach, active straight-leg raise (ASLR), and the half-kneeling dorsiflexion tests were used to assess lower body flexibility. For the shoulder reach test, a soft tape measure was used to measure the distance between participants' closed fists, and for the ASLR, range of motion in degrees were measured on each leg using a digital inclinometer (Metriks, Canada). For each of the flexibility tests (excluding sit and reach), scores from the left and right side (arm or leg) were summed and total scores are reported. A lower measurement score on the shoulder flexibility test indicates greater flexibility, while higher scores on the sit and reach, ASLR, and half-kneeling dorsiflexion tests indicate greater flexibility.

A push-up test was used to determine the maximal number of successive push-up repetitions that participants could complete until failure. The test protocols followed the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) recommendations, including use of a modified push-up protocol for all women in the study.

Handgrip strength was assessed using a maximal voluntary contraction of an isometric handgrip squeeze using a Smedley spring handgrip dynamometer (BASELINE®). Scores from the left and right hand were summed and total scores are reported.

A countermovement jump (CMJ) was conducted using the My Jump 2 mobile app on an iPhone 8 to assess lower body power. The validity and reliability of the My Jump 2 has been established previously.

Participants performed an incremental maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) test on a cycle ergometer (Lode Excalibur Sport). The resistance on the cycle ergometer was automatically increased (1W every 3 s for women, 1W every 2 s for men) until participants reached volitional exhaustion or could no longer maintain a pedal cadence of at least 50 rpm. A metabolic cart with an online gas collection system (Parvo Medics, TrueOne 2400) was used to collect expired gas samples continuously and V̇O2max was calculated using the mean of the highest average oxygen consumption over a 30-s period (in mL·kg-1·min-1).

Form B of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale was used to measure health locus of control

The Short Form (36) Health Survey was used to assess perceptions of health status

Enjoyment of physical activity completed over the past week was measured pre- and post-intervention using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). This scale has 18 items that participants rated on a 7-point bipolar scale (from 1 to 7).

The Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale (SEES) was used to measure participants' positive well-being, psychological distress and fatigue. The single-item Exercise Enjoyment Scale (EES) was used to measure exercise enjoyment. A 5-item measure of satisfaction with physical functioning was used assess participants' satisfaction with their (1) overall physical functioning, (2) cardiovascular fitness, (3) muscle strength, (4) flexibility, and (5) balance. This set of questions was administered at the end of each week throughout the 8-week intervention period as well as pre- and post-intervention in the form of an email that included a Qualtrics link to the survey

At the very beginning of Visit 1 and at the end of Visit 2, a random sub-sample of 15 participants from the movr group participated in semi-structured interviews that were recorded using an audio recording device (Sony ICD PX333 Digital Voice Recorder). Interview questions addressed general beliefs about fitness mobile apps and perceptions of fitness and physical functioning, individual experiences with using the movr app, how exercise perceptions may change from before to after using the movr app, and how to optimize future design and delivery of the movr app