Walking is universally acknowledged as a simple yet powerful form of physical activity, offering extensive health benefits ranging from improved cardiovascular health to reduced risk of chronic diseases. Despite this, a significant proportion of individuals still struggle to achieve the daily step counts recommended by health authorities. In an increasingly digital world, mobile health (mHealth) applications have emerged as a potential solution to this problem. These apps, typically accessed via smartphones, can monitor users’ physical activity and deliver targeted health and wellness services. However, questions remain about their actual impact on daily walking behaviour, particularly when it comes to how their incentive structures influence user engagement and outcomes.
To address this gap, Dr Haruka Kato, a Junior Associate Professor at Osaka Metropolitan University, conducted a study examining the effects of incentive design on walking habits. The research focused on a locally developed mHealth application known as HealthSmart-Senboku, explicitly created for the residents and visitors of Senboku New Town in Japan. Unlike many mainstream health apps, HealthSmart-Senboku is unique in offering tangible, localised rewards in exchange for daily step counts. The app allows users to convert their physical activity into either shopping coupons redeemable at participating local shops or digital train tickets that can be used on the Senboku Line, operated by Nankai Railway.
The study revealed that the use of these digital incentives had a measurable positive impact on users’ walking behaviour. Over five months, individuals who opted to exchange their steps for digital train tickets increased their average daily step count by 626.2 steps, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.27 to 1252.2 steps per day. Meanwhile, users who chose to redeem their steps for shopping coupons saw an even greater boost in physical activity, averaging 715.2 additional steps per day compared to those who did not use the incentive system. These findings suggest that both types of rewards encouraged greater physical movement, though the shopping coupon appeared to be slightly more effective in promoting daily walking.
According to Dr Kato, these results point to the effectiveness of HealthSmart-Senboku’s incentive system in encouraging not only physical activity but also public transport usage. “These findings suggest that HealthSmart-Senboku’s ticket exchange incentives effectively promote active travel,” she explained. “The results highlight the potential of mHealth apps to encourage both physical activity and public transportation use toward Healthy New Towns through well-designed incentive systems.” This dual benefit is significant in urban planning contexts, where efforts to improve public health can align with broader goals around sustainability and reduced car dependency.
The implications of this research are significant for developers of digital health tools, local governments, and public health professionals. The success of HealthSmart-Senboku suggests that mHealth applications are more effective when their reward systems are grounded in local contexts and provide meaningful, practical benefits. Rather than relying solely on abstract goals or gamified points, offering real-world incentives—such as discounts at neighbourhood shops or free transport—can foster sustained engagement and promote behaviour change. This approach not only motivates individuals to walk more but also supports the local economy and encourages the use of greener travel options.
Dr Kato’s work illustrates the importance of designing mHealth interventions that are culturally and geographically attuned to the communities they serve. In Senboku New Town, the integration of physical activity tracking with digital reward systems has created a mutually beneficial cycle for individuals and the wider community. As interest grows globally in preventative healthcare and thoughtful city planning, the HealthSmart-Senboku model stands out as a compelling example of how digital innovation, when meaningfully aligned with local infrastructure and lifestyle, can contribute to healthier and more sustainable urban living. Future research may build on these findings by exploring similar incentive systems in different demographic and geographic contexts.
More information: Haruka Kato et al, Active travel effects of mHealth app that exchanges daily walking steps for digital train tickets: Quasi-experimental study using HealthSmart-Senboku, Journal of Transport & Health. DOI: 10.1016/j.jth.2025.102126
Journal information: Journal of Transport & Health Provided by Osaka Metropolitan University
