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Open Access Integrating a Gamified Digital Application in Naturebased Settings to Improve Physical Activity and Health Outcomes Among Central Pennsylvanians: Using a Socioecological, Cross-disciplinary Guiding Framework

Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of a community-facilitated, digital application intervention at increasing physical activity in central Pennsylvania. Methods: We employed a game-based digital application within partnership- guided, nature-based programming to encourage physical activity. Partnerships with local healthcare and park/ recreation entities were established to facilitate recruitment and intervention sustenance. Self-reported psychological and physiological changes were evaluated in a repeated-measures design, contextualized by thematic coding of qualitative responses, and interpreted via the Park Prescription Theory of Change. Results: Partnerships were formed among 3 local healthcare entities, Berks Nature, and community organizations to conduct the intervention. There were increases in physical activity duration and time spent outdoors. We identified positive, consistent trends in perceptions of healthful behaviors and quality of life, health satisfaction, and perceived accessibility and barriers. There were low rates of allergies or wheezing. The game-based application improved sentiments of belongingness and familial engagement. These findings mostly aligned with the Park Prescription Theory of Change. Conclusions: An innovative, cross-disciplinary means to improve physical activity can inform approaches at the regional or national level, as well as guide legislative efforts in public health, environmental policy, and urban planning.

Keywords: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT; DIGITAL APPLICATION; HEALTH SATISFACTION; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; QUALITY OF LIFE; SOCIAL PRESCRIPTIVISM

Document Type: Research Article

Affiliations: 1: Predoctoral Fellow, Penn State University, Department of Biobehavioral Health, State College, PA, United States; skb5989@psu. edu 2: Assistant Professor, Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, Hershey, PA, United States 3: Assistant Professor, Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States 4: Associate Professor, Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Humanities and Public Health Sciences, Hershey, PA, United States 5: REACH Project Coordinator, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading, PA, United States 6: Project ECHO Director and Professor, Vice Chair for Research, Penn State College of Medicine Department of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Hershey, PA United States

Publication date: January 1, 2024

This article was made available online on January 31, 2024 as a Fast Track article with title: "Integrating a Gamified Digital Application in Naturebased Settings to Improve Physical Activity and Health Outcomes Among Central Pennsylvanians: Using a Socioecological, Cross-disciplinary Guiding Framework".

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  • The American Journal of Health Behavior seeks to improve the quality of life through multidisciplinary health efforts in fostering a better understanding of the multidimensional nature of both individuals and social systems as they relate to health behaviors.

    The Journal aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of personal attributes, personality characteristics, behavior patterns, social structure, and processes on health maintenance, health restoration, and health improvement; to disseminate knowledge of holistic, multidisciplinary approaches to designing and implementing effective health programs; and to showcase health behavior analysis skills that have been proven to affect health improvement and recovery.

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