Abstract

Lacking physical activity is an ongoing problem in our society and fitness apps are positioned to address this issue. They aim to induce motivation towards physical activity by providing different motivational features that build upon self-quantification, gamification, and social network capabilities. Little is known, however, whether, how, and why users with differing motivation-relevant goals employ these motivational features differently. Drawing upon Motivational Affordances, the Choice of Situation model, and Achievement Goal Theory, this paper investigates how users’ goal orientations (i.e., mastery and performance goals) account for different ways of using fitness apps. Empirical validation with 417 fitness app users reveals distinct patterns between individual goals and the use of fitness apps for self-monitoring, exercise guidance, rewards, and social comparison. This paper contributes to the literature on individualized fitness app use, theoretically extends the concept of motivational affordances with individual differences and aids practice in tailoring fitness app features.

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Individual Fitness App Use: The Role of Goal Orientations and Motivational Affordances

Lacking physical activity is an ongoing problem in our society and fitness apps are positioned to address this issue. They aim to induce motivation towards physical activity by providing different motivational features that build upon self-quantification, gamification, and social network capabilities. Little is known, however, whether, how, and why users with differing motivation-relevant goals employ these motivational features differently. Drawing upon Motivational Affordances, the Choice of Situation model, and Achievement Goal Theory, this paper investigates how users’ goal orientations (i.e., mastery and performance goals) account for different ways of using fitness apps. Empirical validation with 417 fitness app users reveals distinct patterns between individual goals and the use of fitness apps for self-monitoring, exercise guidance, rewards, and social comparison. This paper contributes to the literature on individualized fitness app use, theoretically extends the concept of motivational affordances with individual differences and aids practice in tailoring fitness app features.