Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International Survey
BackgroundAdvances in smartphone technology have facilitated an increase in the number of commercially available smartphone and tablet apps that enable the collection of physiological and biomechanical variables typically monitored in sport and exercise settings. Currently, i...
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doaj-06face3d777041c9ab006f3675c01a452021-05-13T13:45:48ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR mHealth and uHealth2291-52222021-05-0195e2176310.2196/21763Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International SurveyShaw, Matthew PeterSatchell, Liam PaulThompson, SteveHarper, Ed ThomasBalsalobre-Fernández, CarlosPeart, Daniel James BackgroundAdvances in smartphone technology have facilitated an increase in the number of commercially available smartphone and tablet apps that enable the collection of physiological and biomechanical variables typically monitored in sport and exercise settings. Currently, it is not fully understood whether individuals collect data using mobile devices and tablets, independent of additional hardware, in their practice. ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the use of smartphone and tablet software apps to collect data by individuals working in various sport and exercise settings, such as sports coaching, strength and conditioning, and personal training. MethodsA total of 335 practitioners completed an electronic questionnaire that surveyed their current training practices, with a focus on 2 areas: type of data collection and perceptions of reliability and validity regarding app use. An 18-item questionnaire, using a 5-point Likert scale, evaluated the perception of app use. ResultsA total of 204 respondents reported using apps to directly collect data, with most of them (196/335, 58.5%) collecting biomechanical data, and 41.2% (138/335) respondents reported using at least one evidence-based app. A binomial general linear model determined that evidence accessibility (β=.35, 95% CI 0.04-0.67; P=.03) was significantly related to evidence-based app use. Age (β=−.03, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.00; P=.03) had a significant negative effect on evidence-based app use. ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that practitioners show a greater preference for using smartphones and tablet devices to collect biomechanical data such as sprint velocity and jump performance variables. When it is easier to access information on the quality of apps, practitioners are more likely to use evidence-based apps. App developers should seek independent research to validate their apps. In addition, app developers should seek to provide clear signposting to the scientific support of their software in alternative ways.https://mhealth.jmir.org/2021/5/e21763 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Shaw, Matthew Peter Satchell, Liam Paul Thompson, Steve Harper, Ed Thomas Balsalobre-Fernández, Carlos Peart, Daniel James |
spellingShingle |
Shaw, Matthew Peter Satchell, Liam Paul Thompson, Steve Harper, Ed Thomas Balsalobre-Fernández, Carlos Peart, Daniel James Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International Survey JMIR mHealth and uHealth |
author_facet |
Shaw, Matthew Peter Satchell, Liam Paul Thompson, Steve Harper, Ed Thomas Balsalobre-Fernández, Carlos Peart, Daniel James |
author_sort |
Shaw, Matthew Peter |
title |
Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International Survey |
title_short |
Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International Survey |
title_full |
Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International Survey |
title_fullStr |
Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International Survey |
title_full_unstemmed |
Smartphone and Tablet Software Apps to Collect Data in Sport and Exercise Settings: Cross-sectional International Survey |
title_sort |
smartphone and tablet software apps to collect data in sport and exercise settings: cross-sectional international survey |
publisher |
JMIR Publications |
series |
JMIR mHealth and uHealth |
issn |
2291-5222 |
publishDate |
2021-05-01 |
description |
BackgroundAdvances in smartphone technology have facilitated an increase in the number of commercially available smartphone and tablet apps that enable the collection of physiological and biomechanical variables typically monitored in sport and exercise settings. Currently, it is not fully understood whether individuals collect data using mobile devices and tablets, independent of additional hardware, in their practice.
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the use of smartphone and tablet software apps to collect data by individuals working in various sport and exercise settings, such as sports coaching, strength and conditioning, and personal training.
MethodsA total of 335 practitioners completed an electronic questionnaire that surveyed their current training practices, with a focus on 2 areas: type of data collection and perceptions of reliability and validity regarding app use. An 18-item questionnaire, using a 5-point Likert scale, evaluated the perception of app use.
ResultsA total of 204 respondents reported using apps to directly collect data, with most of them (196/335, 58.5%) collecting biomechanical data, and 41.2% (138/335) respondents reported using at least one evidence-based app. A binomial general linear model determined that evidence accessibility (β=.35, 95% CI 0.04-0.67; P=.03) was significantly related to evidence-based app use. Age (β=−.03, 95% CI −0.06 to 0.00; P=.03) had a significant negative effect on evidence-based app use.
ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that practitioners show a greater preference for using smartphones and tablet devices to collect biomechanical data such as sprint velocity and jump performance variables. When it is easier to access information on the quality of apps, practitioners are more likely to use evidence-based apps. App developers should seek independent research to validate their apps. In addition, app developers should seek to provide clear signposting to the scientific support of their software in alternative ways. |
url |
https://mhealth.jmir.org/2021/5/e21763 |
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