(A) study of factors influencing users' intention to use fitness applications

Abstract

Fitness application is becoming a significant tool for users who want to exercise and lose weight. In this study I examined which factors influence users’ intention to use fitness applications. This study mainly consists of two studies. The first study was conducted with potential users of fitness applications. It examined what factors affect users’ intention to use fitness applications and how it depends on the user’s gender, health status, and perceived social support, all of which reflect individual differences. The results revealed that for potential fitness application users, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, and perceived privacy protection were significant variables. However, social influence was insignificant. The factors influencing users’ intention to use fitness applications differed depending on gender, health status, and perceived social support. The second study was conducted with fitness application users. It investigated how extrinsic rewards affect continued use of fitness applications. Respondents were randomly divided into two groups, an extrinsic reward group and a non-extrinsic reward group, to check the effect of the extrinsic rewards. Factors influencing a user's continuous intention to use fitness applications differed depending on whether extrinsic rewards were provided. For the extrinsic reward group, perceived enjoyment and perceived privacy protection were significant variables for the continued use of a fitness application. However, for the non-extrinsic reward group, monetary value was a significant variable. These two studies confirmed the following implications. Factors influencing potential users of fitness applications differed depending on individual differences. In addition, it was found that factors influencing users to continue to use a fitness application differed depending on whether or not extrinsic rewards are provided.