Smartphone Apps and the Mobile Privatization of Health and Fitness

Smart Health Facilitator: Chinese Consumers’ Perceptions and Interpretations of Fitness Mobile Apps

“…The current study uncovers another important personal factor-the knowledge of fitness and technology as a possible motivational incentive for consumers to adopt mobile fitness apps. Compared to previous research (Chen & Pu, 2014;Millington, 2014), the incentive revealed in the current study is more self-oriented and specific, which brings some implications for both app developers and healthcare workers. One of the important implications is that app developers and healthcare workers need to take into account the various levels of technological literacy that exist among users when promoting and encouraging people to use mobile fitness apps.…”

“…… The only app that I have been using for two years is the period tracking app called "大姨妈" (big aunt) (Nancy, female, 23, graduate student). Previous research revealed some personal and social incentives that may motivate consumers to use and experience fitness mobile apps (Chen & Pu, 2014;Millington, 2014). For instance, Chen and Pu (2014) emphasized the social incentives of competition and corporation while Millington (2014) focused on a broader personal incentive of bettering the self.…”

“…Previous research revealed some personal and social incentives that may motivate consumers to use and experience fitness mobile apps (Chen & Pu, 2014;Millington, 2014). For instance, Chen and Pu (2014) emphasized the social incentives of competition and corporation while Millington (2014) focused on a broader personal incentive of bettering the self. The current study uncovers another important personal factor-the knowledge of fitness and technology as a possible motivational incentive for consumers to adopt mobile fitness apps.…”

“…Nor does the scholarship in fitness apps more broadly include much work on the qualitative dimensions of their use. Existing research on mobile fitness apps is dominated by quantitative work within a positivist framework of behavior change (Conroy, Yang, & Maher, 2014;West et al, 2012;Kranz et al, 2012;Chen & Pu, 2014;Millington, 2014;Lister, West, Cannon, Sax, & Brodegard, 2014). Conroy et al (2014) found that the top ranked fitness mobile apps can be categorized as either educational or motivational, and the most common behavior change techniques used in those apps include providing information or demonstrating specific physical activities.…”

“…Moreover, the more the users exchanged messages the better the results of their physical activities. Millington (2014) qualitatively content analyzed eight prominent mobile fitness apps and found three major themes which are bettering the self, networked individualism, and mobility.…”