Project Duration: 8 weeks | Team: 6 members | Tools: Figma

MatriFit

In collaboration between Sun Life and the University of Waterloo, this digital application concept was designed to support working women's mental health.

Problem

Amidst the joy of welcoming new life, almost one-quarter of Canadian mothers who recently gave birth reported feelings consistent with either postpartum depression or an anxiety disorder ¹. Although postpartum anxiety lacks research, it is estimated that at least one in five women has postpartum anxiety ². Typically, patients experience excessive worry, fear, and intrusive thoughts following childbirth ³. These emotions affect a significant portion of first-time mothers and have huge implications for their mental health. Despite receiving support from family and friends, many mothers require additional support as they struggle with a lack of confidence and doubt in their skills as parents. Most importantly, they suffer from low motivation, leading to reduced physical activity levels ⁴, resulting in neglecting self-care, worsening the mothers' mental health and perpetuating a harmful cycle.

1. Government of Canada, S. C. (2019, June 24). Maternal Mental Health in Canada, 2018/2019. The Daily - . https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190624/dq190624b-eng.htm
2. Stephanie Collier, M. (2021, July 30). Postpartum anxiety is invisible, but common and treatable. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/postpartum-anxiety-an-invisible-disorder-that-can-affect-new-mothers-202107302558
3. Garapati, J., Jajoo, S., Aradhya, D., Reddy, L. S., Dahiphale, S. M., & Patel, D. (2023). Postpartum mood disorders: Insights into diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.42107
4. Saligheh, M., McNamara, B., & Rooney, R. (2016). Perceived barriers and enablers of physical activity in postpartum women: A qualitative approach. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0908-x

Solution

This solution targets new mothers experiencing postpartum anxiety, encouraging them to prioritize self-care through maternal fitness. Maternal fitness offers benefits like weight loss, mood improvements and enhanced recovery ¹. Therefore, by creating a gamified fitness app, supported by research showing gamifications’ effectiveness in motivating users and promoting higher achievements ², this fitness application allows mothers to personalize their fitness routines by choosing to exercise alone or in a supportive community setting. As research indicates, online group-based postpartum fitness programs can emphasize support and functional training, significantly improving mental well-being and fostering a sense of community ³. Considering the demanding schedule of a new mother, this game provides a versatile platform for them to exercise when convenient. Our solution aims to empower new postpartum mothers to prioritize their well-being through this fitness experience.

1. Dipietro, Loretta et al. “Benefits of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum: An Umbrella Review.” Medicine and science in sports and exercise vol. 51,6 (2019): 1292-1302. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000001941
2. Liu, Y., & Chu, H.-C. (2018). Impacts of a mobile childbirth educational game on learning achievement, self-efficacy and postnatal depression for puerperal women. 2018 7th International Congress on Advanced Applied Informatics (IIAI-AAI). https://doi.org/10.1109/iiai-aai.2018.00075
3. Lesser, I. A., Nienhuis, C. P., & Hatfield, G. L. (2023). Moms on the move: A qualitative exploration of a postpartum group exercise program on physical activity behaviour at three distinct time points. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2172793

Low Fidelity Prototype

Below are some of the low-fidelity screens of Matrifit. Essential features included in the app are:

A questionnaire upon registration to customize the user's fitness mode.
Options for solo or multiplayer modes, including workouts with infants 6 months and older.
Both workout and meditation features.
An interactive map providing various exercise levels.
Tutorial instructions to guide users through exercises.
Upon clearing a stage, users can connect with teammates.

Usability Test

Five female participants, ranging in age from their early 20s to mid-50s, took part in the usability tests of the low-fidelity prototype. These participants included mothers and fitness coaches. The usability test required them to complete four different tasks while verbalizing their thoughts throughout the process.

All participants successfully completed the tasks. However, valuable comments and observations from the think-aloud process were instrumental in developing the high-fidelity prototype of the application.

Click here to take a closer look at the prototype!

MatriFit

Problem

Footnotes

Solution

Footnotes

Low Fidelity Prototype

Usability Test

High Fidelity Prototype

3D Illustration