Gustav Boström och Stefan Etoh

Lifetracking and exercise motivation

by smartphone

Abstract

Logging of everyday tasks such as fitness training is referred to as lifetracking. Since the 1980’s, obesity among Swedish 16-29 year-olds has doubled, because of poor eating habits and lack of physical activit. Today, most people in this age-group have access to a smartphone of their own, and also considerable experience of using such devices. A smartphone enables lifetracking, which can be exploited to reduce the risk for obesity, through the use of motivational training applications.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine motivation levels of already active people by applying motivational theory. We have linked the characteristics of four selected lifetracking-aids to determine which of their characteristics are most effective in providing positive motivation for exercise. Twenty participants used the aids during a three-week period, and their patterns of usage were recorded and analyzed.

The results show that logging of training is an effective way of increasing motivation. User opinions and changes in motivation also formed the basis for a training application prototype.