Motivación, barreras y beneficios para la práctica de ejercicio físico en una intervención mobile health en adultos del Biobío, Chile

Background: Although the efficacy of interventions via mobile health (mHealth) to increase physical exercise has been documented, there is limited evidence on the motivation, barriers and benefits associated with practicing of physical exercise in this type of mHealth intervention. Objective: To examine the differences in motivation, barriers and benefits between the practice of physical exercise via mHealth and in person. Method: Pre-experimental study in 37 adults (96.5% women, 43 ±10.5 years old) from the Biobío, Chile, who participated in a physical exercise intervention via mHealth. The Exercise Behavior Regulation Questionnaire (BREQ-3), and the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS). Results: After the intervention, the mHealth physical exercise group presented a higher external regulation type motivation score (3.25 ±3.79 v/s 1.08 ±1.60; t(33.676)= 2.434, p= 0.020, d= 0.676), a lower integrated motivation score (3.25 ±3.79 v/s 1.08 ±1.60; t(33.676)= 2.434, p= 0.020, d= 0.676), and a lower index of self-determination in the practice of physical exercise (45.25 ±26.54 v/s 67.38 ±19.61; t(35)= -2.635, p= 0.012, d= 0.908) than the group face-to-face physical exercise. No significant differences were observed in the barriers and benefits for the practice of physical exercise. Conclusions: The exercise via mHealth generated greater external motivation and less integrated motivation compared to the face-to-face exercise. These findings support the potential of mHealth technology to promote physical activity motivation and overcome perceived barriers. Antecedentes: Aunque se ha documentado la eficacia de las intervenciones vía mobile health (mHealth) para aumentar el ejercicio físico, existe evidencia limitada sobre la motivación, las barreras y los beneficios asociados a la práctica de ejercicio físico en este tipo de intervenciones mHealth. Objetivo: Examinar las diferencias de motivación, barreras y beneficios entre el ejercicio físico vía mHealth y presencial. Método: Estudio preexperimental en 37 adultos (96,5% mujeres, 43 ±10,5 años) del Biobío, Chile, quienes participaron de una intervención de ejercicio físico vía mHealth. Se utilizó el Cuestionario de la Regulación de la Conducta en el Ejercicio (BREQ-3), y la Escala de Beneficios/Barreras para el Ejercicio (EBBS). Resultados: Luego de la intervención, el grupo de ejercicio físico mHealth presentó mayor puntaje de motivación de tipo regulación externa (3,25 ±3,79 v/s 1,08 ±1,60; t(33,676)= 2,434,