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Review
. 2023 Nov 28;10(12):477.
doi: 10.3390/jcdd10120477.

Evaluation of Exercise Mobile Applications for Adults with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Shiqi Chen  1 , Yin Wu  1   2   3 , Erica L Bushey  1 , Linda S Pescatello  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Evaluation of Exercise Mobile Applications for Adults with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Shiqi Chen et al. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis. .

Abstract

Objective: To conduct a systematic review to determine if there are exercise mobile applications (apps) that can produce evidence-based, individualized exercise plans.

Materials and methods: We searched the Apple Store and Google Play for exercise apps with terms related to exercise and health. Exercise apps were eligible if they: (1) had a ≥4 out of 5 overall rating with ≥1000 reviews; (2) were free to download; and (3) were not gender specific. Exercise apps were evaluated via the evidence-based exercise prescription (ExRx) standards of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and American Heart Association. For the exercise app evaluation criteria, an app was included if it (1) was evidence-based; (2) contained a preparticipation health screening protocol; (3) built a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor profile; (4) prioritized one chronic disease or health condition to focus on; (5) framed the exercise plan by the frequency, intensity, time, and type principle (FITT) of ExRx; and (6) specified special considerations.

Results: Of the 531 potentially qualifying apps, 219 qualified. The qualifying apps were rarely evidenced-based (0.5%) or had a preparticipation screening protocol (3.7%). Only 27.7% built CVD risk factor profiles. Most apps (64.8%) focused on body image and/or athletic performance. Only 4.3% focused on chronic diseases or health conditions, while the remainder (34.5%) did not disclose a focus. No app framed the exercise plans by the FITT of ExRx. Only 1.4% of the apps specified special considerations.

Conclusion: There are no commercially available exercise apps that generate an evidence-based, individualized exercise plan for adults with CVD risk factors.

Keywords: digital health; exercise prescription; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

Linda Pescatello is the founder and sole proprietor of P3-EX LLC and could potentially benefit from this research.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA diagram of the Search Methods and Strategy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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