Physical Activity Apps

Quality Assuring Apps

On this page we have compiled a number of Apps to support you to be physically active. All the Apps hosted on this page has gone through a quality assurance process known as the OBR (ORCHA Baseline Review). The OBR is primarily an assessment of an Apps compliance with current standards, regulation and good practice (together 'Standards').

The Standards currently looked at in the OBR are:

  • CQC – Care Quality Commission
    The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England. If an App provides a health service to the user, it may need to be registered with the CQC.
  • Caldicott Principles
    We assess whether Apps comply with the NHS Data Standards. The Caldicott Principles ensure that any patient information which could identify them is protected, and is only used and shared when it is appropriate to do so.

Scoring

The OBR seeks to assess an App`s performance through its compliance with these Standards. The higher the ORCHA Score achieved the more compliant the App is with these Standards.

Whilst a high scoring App is not guaranteed to be effective or safe, or a poorly scoring App is not necessarily ineffective or unsafe, it does mean that the relevant developer has taken more or less care over the Apps compliance with these key Standards than other similar Apps. In the critical area of health this apps aim to address, we believe that developers should take compliance with Standards extremely seriously.

NHS Active 10

NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker is an app that counts your steps and tracks every minute you walk fast. NHS Active 10 Walking Tracker is suitable for adults and children over 13 years old. 

ORCHA Accredited 78%

Couch to 5K

NHS Couch to 5K is a running programme for absolute beginners. The app's programme can be completed in as little as 9 weeks, or longer if you want to go at your own pace.

ORCHA Accredited 70%

Aqua Move 

Aqua Move is an app that supports exercise in a pool with aqua exercise programmes tailored to you and your preferences. Get fit, lose weight and get the most out of your pool with evidence-based aquatic exercise. Aqua Move is suitable for all fitness and mobility levels.

ORCHA Accredited 89%

Hand Therapy

Hand Therapy is designed to support recovery from upper limb conditions. The app contains high-quality exercise videos and fast access to educational treatment.

ORCHA accredited 80% 

ESCAPE-pain

The ESCAPE-pain app provides digital support tools to help you to exercise safely at home. The app was developed in conjunction with physiotherapists to bring the ESCAPE-pain programme to more people.

ORCHA Accredited 64%

Moova

Moova is an app helping desk-bound workers combat their sedentary lifestyle. The app helps counteract the effects of technology-dependence, sedentary living, and other modern ways of life on our body's natural need for activity.

ORCHA Accredited 67%

Sworkfit Health

The Sworkit app provides support and motivation helping people need to reach their wellness goals. The app's programmes are designed to help you reach your fitness goals faster and simpler.

ORCHA Accredited 76%

Baby2Body: Pregnancy Wellness

Baby2Body aims to support women throughout their pregnancy journey. The app includes fitness and exercises programmes that can be undertaken during pregnancy and postpartum. 

ORCHA Accredited 67%