There’s An App for That: Using Smartphones to Promote Activity

1. There’s An App for That: Using Smartphones to Promote Activity Matthew Cummiskey, Ph.D. West Chester University, PA Materials available via website – at end

2. Session Overview • Background info • Smartphones and apps • What are apps • How download/install apps • How use apps to promote PA • Spotlight selected apps • Practice

3. Q&A • What makes smartphones important tools for promoting physical activity? • Can they also do the opposite? • Oh yes, think of the TV and computer (depends on their use)

4. Replace existing laptops • Merge with tablets • Expanding screen • 100% internet compatible • Source: Digitaltrends.com

5. Growth in SmartphonesAlso: (Entner, March 2010)

6. Background Info • Smartphones v. feature phones • Manufacturers (Samsung, HTC, Motorola, etc) are less important than operating systems b/c apps are aligned with the OS. What operating systems exist? • Applie iOS, Google Android, RIM Blackberry OS, Palm OS, Windows Phone 7, Nokia Symbian OS

8. Why is this impor-tant?

9. NY Times, 3/4/11 (Nielson)

10. Q&A • What are apps? • Mini-programs specific to an OS • How many are available: • Apple App Store: 300,000+ • Android Marketplace: 100,000+ • Installing on a smartphone

11. Guess • How many apps are there on the Apple App Store related to health and physical activity • Any guesses? • Answer: 12,900 • http://itunes.apple.com/us/genre/ios-healthcare-fitness/id6013?mt=8 • Next best question – how many are free :)

13. General Teaching Strategies • Use internet based version of apps – can be used on a website or downloaded to a smartphone • Advantage – anyone, anywhere can use the “app” • Example: Loseit.com • Track the # of calories consumed, share results with friends, plan meals, search for foods online, and incorporate exercise as part of a calorie monitoring program

14. General Teaching Strategies • Have one or two smartphones per class to be “representative” of the entire class. • MapMyRun - Archive runs, map route, calculate overall distance, calculate change in elevation, create goals and objectives, compare results with others.

17. General Teaching Strategies • Rotate smartphone if unit is long enough. Individually students could be required to print out their workout reports and submit for a grade.

18. General Teaching Strategies • Smartphone only apps like “Yoga Free: 200 Poses and Classes” • Play the app’s audio through speakers while the teacher duplicates the apps generated on the smartphone • #1 for audio and project the app onto a screen through a digital projector • Have a selected # of smartphones (school or student owned) and follow the routines in small groups

19. Selected Apps - free unless indicated • Walk n' Play – allows users to track their PA and compete with other users; can create customized profiles and compete online against other users or computer simulations. • Fitness Free - 300 exercises grouped according to body parts, muscles and equipment. Includes three prepared routines as well as ability to track weights, sets and repetitions.

20. Selected Apps • Daily Butt Workout Free – five minute video of exercises. • Ballroom Dancing Basics 1 ($0.99) – teaches the steps for 10 major ballroom dances, includes color pictures, step placement indicators, and directional arrows.

21. Selected Apps • Bench Press Lite – strength measure that uses a one repetition max bench press while adjusting for age, sex and weight – strength is relative. • Playback – users capture video of self performing a skill and compare to a checklist. This can be done individually or in groups.

22. Selected Apps • Heart Rate – Free – measures heart rate via built in camera. Detects changes in finger skin color corresponding to heartbeats • Heart Rate Training Zone Calculator – calculates training zone with ability to adjust upper and lower limits depending on activity. Includes charts and a pulse oximeter.

23. Selected Apps • Learn to Dance Salsa – two hours of instructional videos designed to teach the salsa in a step-by-step fashion. • THI Personal Trainer Lite – includes full workouts, 3D demonstrations, and a virtual personal trainer. • Fitness Pro - has over 450 exercises with pictures, the ability to create routines, log results, and graphs.

24. Selected Apps • Pedometer FREE (Dr. Oz) – Calculates steps while walking, running or jogging. Measures distance, time, calories burned, speed and pace. Creates logs, calculates BMI and can export results to a spreadsheet file. • The North Face Trailhead – locates hiking trails/bike routes based upon user’s location, over 300,000 available.

25. Selected Apps • Nike Women Training Club – addresses five areas of fitness (cardio, core, strength, balance and flexibility) through videos, drills and a workout schedule. Friends can work towards common goals or compete for most improved. • Stopwatch – basic functions of stop, start and reset.

26. Selected Apps • Pace Yourself Lite – calculates pace, distance and time based upon the other two variables. • RightBrain Golf Lite – view swing demonstrations by a PGA tour player overlaid with audio cues. Focuses on mental training and visualization.

27. Selected Apps • Virtual Tennis Coach – learn from Lleyton Hewitt’s former coach how to serve and volley from videos. • CPR Hero – can be used for training purposes or in the event of an emergency. Includes pacing, counts, breaths, verbal guidance and an in-app 911 calling feature.

28. Selected Apps • Attendance ($3.99) – record class attendance and schedule meetings. Student information can be uploaded from a spreadsheet file or address book. Photographs of students may be displayed next to their name. • QRS Reader (free local if under 100)– similar to geocashing (have students text location and you reply with next location)

29. Q&A • Does anyone presently use smart-phone apps for related to health and/or physical activity not discussed? If so, which one(s)? • Responses from attendees: • adidasmycoach, runkeeper, livestrong, tabatapro, idemo

30. Selected Apps • Health apps as well • Polleverywhere.com • Health Tips • R-U-Buzzed? BAC Calculator • BMI Calculator Lite • Cigarettes Lite • Eye Exam • Glucose Buddy • Eight Glasses a Day ($0.99) • Free Personality Quiz • American Health Journal

31. Selected Apps • Health apps as well • Fertility and Pregnancy Calculator • Human Body Facts! • iFirstAid Lite • 12 Steps AA Companion • Relax • Test of Life • Calorie Counter • Portion Control

32. Saving $$ on Internet • Typical unlimited internet connections cost $30-$35/month • Save money by not purchasing 3G or 4G internet and instead using wifi’s (hotspots) generated by wireless routers at home or work (Ben Sibley, Appalachian State U). • May be difficult to use wifi outside the building on a playing field so ask that a wifi be installed outside in a central location depending on distance from a building.

33. Factors before Buying • “Try before buy” at the Amazon Android app store. • If you own a smartphone, experiment with your own first or borrow from a friend • Try on a class first and avoid throwing in all at once • Pay careful attention to OS

34. Developing Apps

35. Practice Materials: http://thenewPE.com • http://www.mapmyrun.com/ • http://www.loseit.com • http://dailyburn.com/ • http://www.nike.com/nikewomen/ • http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ • http://www.goodfoodnearyou.com/

36. Thanks for attending!!! • Materials available at: • http://thenewPE.com • Presenter: Matthew Cummiskey • mcummiskey@wcupa.edu