Translating persuasive strategies to the application Playful data-driven Active Urban Living (PAUL): a cross-cultural comparison between Brazil and the Netherlands

• Grant number: 19/13102-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Effective date (Start): January 19, 2020
• Effective date (End): July 08, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Paula Costa Castro
• Grantee: Lucas Bueno de Campos
• Supervisor: Nicky Nibbeling
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS), Netherlands
• Associated to the scholarship: 18/19270-1 - Co-design4 Active Ageing: engaging older users in active urban life driven by playful digital games, BP.MS

Abstract

One of the greatest achievements of mankind was the extension of life. This transformation occurs due to the demographic transition, which begins with declining birth and death rates, advances in medicine, the development of new technologies and better living conditions. Although physical activity is one of the determinants of healthy aging, adults and older adults tend to be hypoactive. In this context, maintaining adequate activity levels is a motivational challenge. Digital technology such as applications to support physical activity practice has been used to combat sedentary lifestyle. But to drive behavior change, applications must be tailored to their users. It is known from the theory of meaning that it is vital to carefully discover what end users really want. Therefore, in order to translate persuasive strategies into the PAUL application, this study intends, through a focus group, to conduct a survey with individuals older than 25 years and who are contemplating for physical activity. For this, qualitative information about its main needs will be detailed, analyzed and discussed in Brazil and the Netherlands. In partnership with the University of Amsterdam, we will duplicate this technique and carry out similar studies in order to compare the data obtained in both countries. These results will give an indication of the differences in the needs and desires of Brazilian users compared to the Dutch users, thus strengthening the expected results for a user-centered design application. (AU)