Enhancing Fitness Motivation through Social Interaction and Gamification in Mobile Applications
Phetsarath, Soulyvanh (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051913354
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051913354
Tiivistelmä
This study investigates the influence of social interaction and gamification elements on user motivation and engagement in mobile fitness applications. Maintaining consistent motivation to exercise remains a significant challenge for many individuals, prompting this study to explore how peer-driven challenges, video accountability, and competitive leaderboards influence user participation.
Using a mixed-methods experimental approach, the study compares three scenarios: a non-social fitness application; an informal WhatsApp group facilitating casual peer interaction; and a custom-developed Social Fitness Application designed to foster social engagement and friendly competition. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire titled the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3 and application usage metrics, complemented by qualitative insights from in-depth user interviews.
The findings indicated that structured social features, particularly video accountability and peer-driven challenges, enhanced users’ motivation by creating a sense of community and healthy competition. However, overly restrictive time frames for challenge participation presented a significant barrier for users with busy lifestyles. The results offer practical guidelines for developers aiming to create motivating, socially interactive fitness experiences, emphasizing the careful balance of structure and flexibility as key to promoting long-term exercise adherence.
Using a mixed-methods experimental approach, the study compares three scenarios: a non-social fitness application; an informal WhatsApp group facilitating casual peer interaction; and a custom-developed Social Fitness Application designed to foster social engagement and friendly competition. Quantitative data were collected using a questionnaire titled the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3 and application usage metrics, complemented by qualitative insights from in-depth user interviews.
The findings indicated that structured social features, particularly video accountability and peer-driven challenges, enhanced users’ motivation by creating a sense of community and healthy competition. However, overly restrictive time frames for challenge participation presented a significant barrier for users with busy lifestyles. The results offer practical guidelines for developers aiming to create motivating, socially interactive fitness experiences, emphasizing the careful balance of structure and flexibility as key to promoting long-term exercise adherence.