Boosting Everyday Movement: Codesigning a Digital Micropatterns Intervention With Socioeconomically Diverse UK and...

"Micropatterns" refer to brief bouts of nonexercise physical activity (<3 min) embedded in daily routines. Evidence suggests that 4 to 6 daily bouts are associated with significant cardiovascular benefits and may offer an accessible alternative for socioeconomically diverse populations who face barriers to structured exercise. This qualitative codesign study aimed to work with socioeconomically diverse community members in Scotland and Australia to explore context-specific perspectives and experiences of micropatterns and codesign a scalable digital smartphone intervention.

The study involved a series of codesign workshops in each country. Participants were nonexercising adults aged 30+ (n = 20 in Scotland and n = 34 in Australia). Workshops drew on the behavior change wheel to explore facilitators and barriers to micropatterns and codesign the intervention. Data were analyzed using thematic framework analysis.

Participants identified a range of barriers (eg, aging and physical decline) and facilitators (eg, valuing health benefits) to engaging in micropatterns. Four modifiable factors were identified: a lack of knowledge and awareness, perceptions about energy and effort, concerns about ability and safety, and low mood and poor mental health. Participants identified 13 intervention components utilizing 6 intervention functions (eg, education, persuasion, and training), and a program theory was developed. To deliver the change mechanism, participants emphasized the importance of inclusive educational content and digital accessibility.

This study demonstrated the theoretically grounded development of a smartphone intervention to promote micropatterns among socioeconomically diverse communities. Future research is required to test the feasibility of the intervention while ensuring digital accessibility and the availability of social support.