Two of a Kind? Similarities and Differences between Runners and Walkers in Sociodemographic Characteristics, Sports Related Characteristics and Wearable Usage

Kobe Helsen, Mark Janssen, Steven Vos and Jeroen Scheerder
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Kobe Helsen: Policy in Sports & Physical Activity Research Group, University of Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Mark Janssen: School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Science, 5644 HZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Steven Vos: School of Sport Studies, Fontys University of Applied Science, 5644 HZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Jeroen Scheerder: Policy in Sports & Physical Activity Research Group, University of Leuven, 3001 Leuven, Belgium

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: As the two prime examples of sport light, running and walking have become very popular sports activities in the past decades. There are references in the literature of similarities between both sports, however these parallels have never been studied. In addition, the current digitalisation of society can have important influences on the further diversification of profiles. Data of a large-scale population survey among runners and walkers ( n = 4913) in Flanders (Belgium) were used to study their sociodemographic, sports related and attitudinal characteristics, and wearable usage. The results showed that walkers are more often female, older, lower educated, and less often use wearables. To predict wearable usage, sports-related and attitudinal characteristics are important among runners but not among walkers. Motivational variables to use wearables are important to predict wearable usage among both runners and walkers. Additionally, whether or not the runner or walker registers the heart rate is the most important predictor. The present study highlights similarities and differences between runners and walkers. By adding attitudinal characteristics and including walkers this article provides new insights to the literature, which can be used by policymakers and professionals in the field of sport, exercise and health, and technology developers to shape their services accordingly.

Keywords: mobile application; sports watch; smartwatch; online survey; COVID-19; attitude; motivation; digitalisation; profile; UTAUT2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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