BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there are hundreds of mobile applications related to sports, health and fitness. The benefits of using mobile phones in physical activity can be seen in the increasing use of mobile health applications. The purpose of this study was to design a behavioral model of acceptance and use of public health apps by Iranian users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a qualitative and exploratory approach that was conducted based on the theme analysis method (team). The statistical population included programmers and designers of sports programs and academic specialists in the field of sports and computers. Data collection was performed through review of documents, backgrounds and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted in person or by telephone and each interview lasted about 20 to 40 minutes. RESULTS: In total, 249 key points with marker codes were extracted from 14 interviews which were classified into 21 sub-themes and 6 main themes (app quality, digital literacy, social influences, facilitating conditions, intention to use, trust and accept the app. Finally, the pattern of acceptance and use of health apps by Iranian users were presented in accordance with UTAUT theory. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can help the officials of the federation, public sports boards and clubs to use information and communication technology as a media in their strategies and programs to develop sports and health at the community level. It also contributes to social vitality and improves the quality of life of individuals.

Aim: This study investigated physical education (PE) instructors' attitudes and practices of information technology (IT) for information-seeking behavior (ISB). Method: This cross-sectional study carried on eighty-eight PE instructors from three universities. The 36-item online questionnaire was designed electronically for measuring instructors' attitudes, IT use for ISB, and information-seeking (IS) methods. The analyses conducted for descriptive statistics involved reporting response frequency, percentages, means, and standard deviations for the attitude sections. Mean scores for attitude and use factors were used to conduct a two-tailed Pearson correlation analysis. SPSS-23 was used for analysis. Results: The findings indicated that participants generally had positive attitudes about technology use for ISB. Significant relationship exists between participants' perceptions of relevance/importance of IT use for IS (r = .565, p < .01). Also, a positive correlation was found between instructors' perceptions of relevance/importance of IT and physical instructors' IS methods (r = .536, p < .01). Conclusion: Based on the current study, physical instructors may be willing to apply IT for IS if given opportunities to participate in searching databases workshops and practice and utilize appropriate information resources.

Aim: This study investigated physical education (PE) instructors' attitudes and practices of information technology (IT) for information-seeking behavior (ISB). Method: This cross-sectional study carried on eighty-eight PE instructors from three universities. The 36-item online questionnaire was designed electronically for measuring instructors' attitudes, IT use for ISB, and information-seeking (IS) methods. The analyses conducted for descriptive statistics involved reporting response frequency, percentages, means, and standard deviations for the attitude sections. Mean scores for attitude and use factors were used to conduct a two-tailed Pearson correlation analysis. SPSS-23 was used for analysis. Results: The findings indicated that participants generally had positive attitudes about technology use for ISB. Significant relationship exists between participants' perceptions of relevance/importance of IT use for IS (r = .565, p < .01). Also, a positive correlation was found between instructors' perceptions of relevance/importance of IT and physical instructors' IS methods (r = .536, p < .01). Conclusion: Based on the current study, physical instructors may be willing to apply IT for IS if given opportunities to participate in searching databases workshops and practice and utilize appropriate information resources.