Development and Effects of Smartphone App-Based Walking Exercise Program for Taxi Drivers: Based on Bandura's Self Efficacy Theory

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of smart-phone app-based walking exercise programs for taxi drivers on self-efficacy and outcome expectations for exercise, health-related quality of life, walking as an exercise, and physiological indexes. Methods: A nonequivalent control group with a pre-post-test design was used. The subjects were recruited in G metropolitan city. Subjects were assigned to the experimental (n=31) or control groups (n=30), The smart phone app-based walking exercise program consisted of educations via the app, twelve short message services, and one individual telephone counseling session, which was spread over 12 weeks. Results: Self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and health-related quality of life had significantly higher pre-post test differences in scores in the experimental group. Additionally, blood pressure, body mass index, and waist circumference had significantly decreased prepost-test difference levels in the experimental group. Walking as an exercise (which consisted of days walked, number of steps walked, and amount of time walked) had significantly increased in the experimental group after 7 similar to 12 weeks in the period following the intervention program rather than 1 similar to 6 weeks after the program. Conclusion: The smart phone app-based walking exercise program based on the self-efficacy theory demonstrates a significant effect on improving self-efficacy, outcome expectations physical activities, and health-related quality of life for taxi drivers. Therefore, it is recommended to actively use the program as a tool to promote self-efficacy, physical activities, and health behaviors in taxi drivers.