Understanding physical activity, health and wellbeing among people with long-term health conditions
The We Are Undefeatable (WAU) App Evaluation explores how a national digital intervention supports people living with long-term health conditions (LTHCs) to be physically active in ways that suit their needs. The WAU app was developed by The Richmond Group of Charities, with support from Sport England and The National Lottery, as part of the wider We Are Undefeatable campaign. This evaluation aims to understand users’ experiences of the app, its impact on physical activity participation, and its contribution to health and wellbeing among adults with LTHCs across the UK.
Project leads
This evaluation is funded through a consultancy agreement between London Metropolitan University and Age UK, on behalf of The Richmond Group of Charities and Sport England.
More information
There are over 26 million people in the UK who live with at least one LTHC and 10 million who have two or more. These individuals are more likely to be physically inactive compared with those without a condition. Physical activity is known to play a vital role in the prevention and management of more than 20 chronic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression. Despite this evidence, many people with LTHCs face barriers to being active — such as fluctuating symptoms, fatigue, and low confidence. Digital tools like the WAU app have the potential to offer accessible, flexible and personalised support that can adapt to people’s daily realities, helping them find enjoyable and sustainable ways to move more.
- To understand how people with LTHCs use the WAU app and engage with its features.
- To explore changes in physical activity levels, health, and wellbeing among users compared to non-users.
- To identify facilitators and barriers to digital engagement and behaviour change.
- To assess how the app supports individuals’ opportunity, motivation and capability to be active, in line with the COM-B model of behaviour.
- To provide recommendations for future development and scaling of digital physical activity support for people with LTHCs.
The project uses a mixed-methods design, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative interviews to gain a holistic understanding of user experiences and outcomes. Surveys capture information on physical activity, strength-based exercise, wellbeing and quality of life. Interviews explore user perspectives on the app’s usability, accessibility, and personal relevance.
The evaluation is informed by the COM-B model of Behaviour (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation → Behaviour) to identify mechanisms of change and opportunities for refinement. Data are analysed using regression and thematic methods to identify patterns of engagement, impact, and equity across user groups.
The project is delivered by the Health and Behaviour Research Centre at London Metropolitan University in collaboration with The Richmond Group of Charities.
This evaluation builds on London Met’s extensive programme of research into physical activity and behaviour change among people with health conditions, including:
- Arachchilage, Chamila D. P., Yu, Qicheng, Webb, Justin and Hunte, Raymon (2025) Transforming complex survey data into actionable insights: a data-driven approach for evaluating digital health programmes. In: 13th International Conference on Frontiers of Intelligent Computing: Theory and Applications (FICTA-2025) June 06 - 07, 2025, 6-7 June 2025, London Metropolitan University, London (UK) / Online. (In Press)
- Yu, Qicheng, Webb, Justin, Hunte, Raymon and Arachchilage, Chamila D. P. (2025) Unlocking the power of generative AI in qualitative data analysis: a deep dive into data from a physical activity service evaluation. In: 13th International Conference on Frontiers of Intelligent Computing: Theory and Applications (FICTA-2025) June 06 - 07, 2025, 6-7 June 2025, London Metropolitan University, London (UK) / Online. (In Press).
- Webb, J., Allison, H. and Mprah, M. (2024) Let’s Move with Leon—A qualitative evaluation of a UK digital intervention to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition, Public Health, 227, pp. 32–37.
- Webb, J. and Stewart, D. (2023) Let’s Move with Leon. A randomised controlled trial of a UK digital intervention to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition, Public Health, 217, pp. 125–132.
- Webb, J., Horlock, R., Ahlquist, A., Hall, A., Brisby, K., Hills, S. and Stewart, D. (2023) The reach and benefits of a digital intervention to improve physical activity in people with a musculoskeletal condition delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, Perspectives in Public Health, 143(2), pp. 97–104.
- Peel, J., Webb, J. and Jones, A.W. (2020) A remote behaviour change service for increasing physical activity in people with chronic lung conditions: intervention development using the Behaviour Change Wheel, Perspectives in Public Health, 140(1), pp. 16–21.
- Webb, J., Fife-Schaw, C. and Ogden, J. (2019) A randomised control trial and cost-consequence analysis to examine the effects of a print-based intervention supported by internet tools on the physical activity of UK cancer survivors, Public Health, 171, pp. 106–115.
- Webb, J., Peel, J., Fife-Schaw, C. and Ogden, J. (2019) A mixed methods process evaluation of a print-based intervention supported by internet tools to improve physical activity in UK cancer survivors, Public Health, 175, pp. 19–27.
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