Uncovering the Heterogeneity in Fitness App Use: A Latent Class Analysis of Chinese Users

Li Crystal Jiang, Mengru Sun and Guanxiong Huang ()
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Li Crystal Jiang: Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Mengru Sun: College of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Guanxiong Huang: Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-12

Abstract: This study examines fitness app use patterns and their correlates among Chinese users from the perspectives of uses and gratification theory and self-determination theory. Our sample comprised 632 users of WeRun, the fitness plugin of WeChat, the largest Chinese mobile social networking app; participants completed an online survey and provided self-tracked physical activity data, which were subjected to latent class analysis. Based on the four-class latent class model (which yielded the best model fit and the most interpretable results), 30.5%, 27.5%, 24.7%, and 17.3% of the users were categorized as light users, reward-oriented users, lifestyle-oriented users, and interaction-oriented users, respectively. Moreover, class membership was associated with gender, age, education, income, life satisfaction, autonomy, and platform-based motivations. There is a significant heterogeneity in fitness app use and exercise behaviors. Platform-based motivations and autonomy are important classification factors, as users are looking for specific kinds of gratification from their use of fitness apps. Demographics and individual characteristics are also explanatory factors for class membership. The study findings suggest that fitness app designers should segment users based on motivation and gratification.

Keywords: fitness app; physical activity; latent class analysis; WeRun; motivation; self-determination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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