Table 2 Comparison of self-motivation and self-empowerment responses between low VO₂ and high VO₂ groups

Self-Motivation Questionnaire

  I enjoy exercise

0.081

    a. Not true at all

8 (7.9%)

4 (5.1%)

12 (6.67%)

    b. Moderately true

46 (45.5%)

25 (31.6%)

71 (39.4%)

    c. Very true

47 (46.5%)

50 (63.3%)

97 (53.9%)

  I exercise because:

0.314

    a. Improve physical appearance

2 (2%)

0 (0%)

2 (1.11%)

    b. Lose weight

9 (8.9%)

3 (3.8%)

12 (6.67%)

    c. Continue enjoyed activities

28 (27.7%)

24 (30.4%)

52 (28.9%)

    d. Maintain independence

62 (61.4%)

52 (65.8%)

114 (63.3%)

  I have no time to exercise

0.305

    a. Not true at all

83 (82.2%)

71 (89.9%)

154 (85.6%)

    b. Moderately true

13 (12.9%)

7 (8.9%)

20 (11.1%)

    c. Very true

5 (5%)

1 (1.3%)

6 (3.33%)

  I feel exercising will impact chronic diseases

0.483

    a. Not true at all

12 (11.9%)

6 (7.6%)

18 (10%)

    b. Moderately true

24 (23.8%)

16 (20.3%)

40 (22.2%)

    c. Very true

65 (64.4%)

57 (72.2%)

122 (67.8%)

  I feel good after exercise

0.026

0.041

    a. Not true at all

4 (4%)

1 (1.3%)

5 (2.78%)

    b. Moderately true

26 (25.7%)

10 (12.7%)

36 (20%)

    c. Very true

71 (70.3%)

68 (86.1%)

139 (77.2%)

  I am confident to participate in regular exercise at least 3 times a week for 20 mins each

0.175

    a. Not confident

29 (28.7%)

14 (17.7%)

43 (23.9%)

    b. Moderately confident

31 (30.7%)

24 (30.4%)

55 (30.6%)

    c. Very confident

41 (40.6%)

41 (51.9%)

82 (45.6%)

  My barriers to regular exercise

0.280

    a. Do not enjoy

9 (8.9%)

1 (1.3%)

10 (5.56%)

    b. Bored with program

7 (6.9%)

3 (3.8%)

10 (5.56%)

    c. Pain when exercising

12 (11.9%)

10 (12.7%)

22 (12.2%)

    d. Tired

23 (22.8%)

25 (31.6%)

48 (26.7%)

    e. Stressed

1 (1%)

2 (2.5%)

3 (1.67%)

    f. No time

26 (25.7%)

24 (30.4%)

50 (27.8%)

    g. Too old

6 (5.9%)

1 (1.3%)

7 (3.89%)

    h. Do not need to

3 (3%)

1 (1.3%)

4 (2.22%)

    i. Do not know how to

2 (2%)

1 (1.3%)

3 (1.67%)

    j. Cannot afford to

12 (11.9%)

11 (13.9%)

23 (12.8%)

    k. Major barriers^b

73 (72.3%)

70 (88.6%)

143 (79.4%)

0.006

0.017

  Factors that motivate me to exercise

0.527

    a. Family or friends exercise together

17 (16.8%)

7 (8.9%)

24 (13.3%)

    b. Family or friends comment on appearance

3 (3%)

4 (5.1%)

7 (3.89%)

    c. Family or friends help with chores/work

1 (1%)

1 (1.3%)

2 (1.11%)

    d. Instructor to guide exercise

11 (10.9%)

7 (8.9%)

18 (10%)

    e. Able to control type and difficulty of exercise

69 (68.3%)

60 (75.9%)

129 (71.7%)

Self-Empowerment Questionnaire

  Level of education

    a. No formal education

18 (17.8%)

6 (7.6%)

24 (13.3%)

0.049

    b. Primary education

34 (33.7%)

22 (27.8%)

56 (31.1%)

    c. Secondary education

49 (48.5%)

51 (64.6%)

100 (55.6%)

  Smartphone user

78 (77.2%)

71 (89.9%)

149 (82.8%)

0.029

0.128

  Used smartphone apps to manage chronic diseases

31 (30.7%)

32 (40.5%)

63 (35%)

0.171

  Willing to use smartphone apps to manage chronic diseases

0.013

0.931

    a. Yes

52 (51.5%)

45 (57%)

97 (53.9%)

    b. Not sure

3 (3%)

10 (12.7%)

13 (7.22%)

    c. No

46 (45.5%)

24 (30.4%)

70 (38.9%)

  Factors that encourage or discourage use of smartphone apps to manage health

0.474

    a. Do not intend to use smartphone apps

19 (18.8%)

8 (10.1%)

27 (15%)

    b. App guides exercise routines

19 (18.8%)

19 (24.1%)

38 (21.1%)

    c. Ability to share feedback with healthcare professionals through app

10 (9.9%)

11 (13.9%)

21 (11.7%)

    d. Reveal of personal information on app

28 (27.7%)

23 (29.1%)

51 (28.3%)

    e. Financial incentives

25 (24.8%)

18 (22.8%)

43 (23.9%)