ABSTRACT

The promise of fitness tracking technology in promoting positive health behaviours lies in its ability to allow users to track their physical activity, receive personalised feedback, and connect with other users. Previous studies have examined predictors of fitness tracker use and antecedents of user engagement. However, little is known about how technology affordances of fitness trackers motivate individuals to engage with the technology and whether the engagement can lead to fitness tracker use. Guided by the Motivational Technology Model (MTM) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study examines the interplay among technology affordances (interactivity, navigability, and customisation) and psychological needs (relatedness, competence, and autonomy) to predict engagement with and use of fitness trackers. Using a sample of 970 American adults, we found that technology affordances significantly increased individuals’ sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which in turn led to increased engagement with and use of fitness trackers. Among the three technology affordances, customisation had a direct effect on user engagement. Theoretical implications related to the MTM and the design implications of fitness tracking technology are discussed.

摘要

健身追踪技术在促进积极健康行为方面的前景在于它能够让用户追踪他们的身体活动、接收个性化反馈并与其他用户联系。以前的研究已经检查了健身追踪器使用的预测因素和用户参与的前因。然而，关于健身追踪器的技术可供性如何激励个人使用该技术以及这种参与是否会导致健身追踪器的使用，我们知之甚少。在激励技术模型 (MTM) 和自我决定理论 (SDT) 的指导下，本研究检验了技术可供性（交互性、可导航性和定制化）和心理需求（相关性、能力和自主性）之间的相互作用，以预测与和使用健身追踪器。使用 970 名美国成年人的样本，我们发现，技术供给显着提高了个人的自主感、能力和相关性，这反过来又导致健身追踪器的参与和使用增加。在这三种技术可供性中，定制对用户参与度有直接影响。讨论了与 MTM 相关的理论意义和健身追踪技术的设计意义。