The NHS Active 10 app has proven to be a successful tool in encouraging individuals to increase their levels of physical activity, particularly in the form of brisk walking. Researchers from the University of Cambridge conducted a study on over 200,000 users of the app and found that immediate increases in both brisk and non-brisk walking were observed upon using the app.
The study, published in npj Digital Medicine, revealed that while activity levels did decline over time, even after 30 months, users who continued to use the app were more active than they were before. This is significant as lack of physical activity is linked to a range of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, depression, and premature death.
The app, which focuses on increasing brisk walking levels, has been downloaded over 1.5 million times since its launch in 2017. It allows users to track their physical activity, receive tailored feedback, set goals, and receive reminders throughout the day. The data collected from users showed that after downloading the app, individuals increased their brisk walking by an average of 9.0 minutes per day and non-brisk walking by 2.6 minutes per day.
Although the amount of brisk and non-brisk walking decreased over time, users who continued to use the app after 30 months were still walking an average of 4.5 minutes more briskly and 0.8 minutes more non-briskly than before they started. This long-term impact on physical activity levels is promising for overall health improvement.
Dr. Dharani Yerrakalva, the first author of the study, emphasized the importance of even modest increases in physical activity for health benefits. Senior author Professor Simon Griffin suggested integrating apps like Active 10 into NHS practice to provide personalized monitoring and advice to patients.
One user, Sonali Shukla, shared her experience with the app, highlighting how it helped her stay active, especially during challenging times like the COVID lockdowns. She found the app’s tracking features and motivational rewards to be instrumental in maintaining her physical activity levels.
In conclusion, the NHS Active 10 app has proven to be an effective tool in increasing physical activity levels among users. With its personalized approach and long-term impact on activity levels, it can play a significant role in promoting better health outcomes. Further research and integration into healthcare practices could enhance its reach and impact on public health.
