The motivational power of mobile gamified exercise apps

• Paula Bitrián ^[1] ; Isabel Buil ^[1] ; Sara Catalán ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad de Zaragoza

     Universidad de Zaragoza

     Zaragoza, España

     
• Localización: Management Letters / Cuadernos de Gestión, ISSN 1131-6837, Vol. 23, Nº 2, 2023, págs. 21-36
• Idioma: inglés
• Títulos paralelos:
  • El poder motivador de las aplicaciones móviles gamificadas de ejercicio físico
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    Este estudio analiza cómo la gamificación motiva a los usuarios de aplicaciones móviles gamificadas de deporte y mejora su salud. Se analizaron los datos de 276 usuarios de Fitbit mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales.

    Los resultados mostraron que las necesidades de competencia y autonomía se ven satisfechas cuando las aplicaciones de ejercicio incluyen elementos de juego orientados al logro y la progresión, mientras que la necesidad de relación se ve cubierta cuando la aplicación móvil incluye elementos sociales, de inmersión y orientados al logro y la progresión. Los resultados también revelaron que las aplicaciones de ejercicio deberían satisfacer las necesidades de competencia y relación para desarrollar la motivación intrínseca en los individuos, lo que a su vez conduce a una mayor percepción de salud física, mental y social. Estas conclusiones ofrecen información a los diseñadores y desarrolladores de este tipo de aplicaciones móviles.

  • English

    This study analyses how gamification motivates users of gamified mobile exercise apps and enhances their health.

    Data from 276 Fitbit users were analysed using structural equation modelling. The findings showed that feelings of competence and autonomy arise when exercise apps include achievement and progression-oriented affordances, and that feelings of relatedness arise with social, immersion and achievement and progression-oriented affordances. They also revealed that exercise apps should satisfy the needs for competence and relatedness to develop individuals’ intrinsic motivation, which in turn leads to greater physical, mental and social health. These findings offer insights for managers in this industry.

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