IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i19p10393-d648901.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Influence of Fitness Apps on Sports Habits, Satisfaction, and Intentions to Stay in Fitness Center Users: An Experimental Study

Author

Listed:
  • Manel Valcarce-Torrente

    (Department of Business Management, Universidad Internacional de Valencia (VIU), 46002 Valencia, Spain)

  • Vicente Javaloyes

    (Centro Lleida, Department of Sport Management, Instituto Nacional de Educación Física de Cataluña, 08038 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Leonor Gallardo

    (IGOID Research Group, Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Department, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain)

  • Jerónimo García-Fernández

    (Research Group of Management and Innovation in Sports Science, Leisure and Recreation (GISDOR), Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Antoni Planas-Anzano

    (Centro Lleida, Department of Sport Management, Instituto Nacional de Educación Física de Cataluña, 08038 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

The use of technology in sports and fitness is proliferating thanks to advances to facilitate its practice and improve adherence. Beyond adherence, it is important that technology is understood as a facilitating medium. The main objective of this study is to know the influence of the use of the fitness application (app) on sports habits, customer satisfaction and maintenance intention of fitness center users. For this, an experimental, controlled and randomized study was carried out, characterized by being a field trial, with a sample of 66 participants divided into a control group ( n = 33) and an experimental group ( n = 33), with 38 (57.6%) men and 28 (42.4%) women who self-monitored their physical activity for 8 weeks. The dimensions analyzed between the pre- and post-intervention phases were the changes in their sporting habits (frequency of attendance and duration of the session), the changes in satisfaction and the intention to stay with respect to the fitness center. The results in general do not show significant differences between the two groups and conclude that the use of the fitness app did not directly influence the sports habits of the participants. There were also no significant differences in terms of satisfaction with the fitness center or in their intention to stay in the fitness center. Therefore, it is shown that the use of the fitness app, as a single download or use element, is not enough to improve habits, satisfaction or the intention to stay in the fitness center.

Suggested Citation

  • Manel Valcarce-Torrente & Vicente Javaloyes & Leonor Gallardo & Jerónimo García-Fernández & Antoni Planas-Anzano, 2021. "Influence of Fitness Apps on Sports Habits, Satisfaction, and Intentions to Stay in Fitness Center Users: An Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10393-:d:648901
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10393/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/19/10393/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Avourdiadou, Sevastia & Theodorakis, Nicholas D., 2014. "The development of loyalty among novice and experienced customers of sport and fitness centres," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 419-431.
    2. Sevastia Avourdiadou & Nicholas D. Theodorakis, 2014. "The development of loyalty among novice and experienced customers of sport and fitness centres," Sport Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(4), pages 419-431, October.
    3. Jerónimo García-Fernández & Pablo Gálvez-Ruiz & Moisés Grimaldi-Puyana & Salvador Angosto & Jesús Fernández-Gavira & M. Rocío Bohórquez, 2020. "The Promotion of Physical Activity from Digital Services: Influence of E-Lifestyles on Intention to Use Fitness Apps," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-15, September.
    4. Gelbrich, Katja & Hagel, Julia & Orsingher, Chiara, 2021. "Emotional support from a digital assistant in technology-mediated services: Effects on customer satisfaction and behavioral persistence," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 176-193.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ardvin Kester S. Ong & Yogi Tri Prasetyo & Godwin M. Bagon & Christian Hope S. Dadulo & Nathaniel O. Hortillosa & Morrissey A. Mercado & Thanatorn Chuenyindee & Reny Nadlifatin & Satria Fadil Persada, 2022. "Investigating Factors Affecting Behavioral Intention among Gym-Goers to Visit Fitness Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Integrating Physical Activity Maintenance Theory and Social Cognitive Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Daniel Martínez-Cevallos & Alejandra Proaño-Grijalva & Mario Alguacil & Daniel Duclos-Bastías & David Parra-Camacho, 2020. "Segmentation of Participants in a Sports Event Using Cluster Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Ardvin Kester S. Ong & Yogi Tri Prasetyo & Kerr Lorenzo Picazo & Kim Aaron Salvador & Bobby Ardiansyah Miraja & Yoshiki B. Kurata & Thanatorn Chuenyindee & Reny Nadlifatin & Anak Agung Ngurah Perwira , 2021. "Gym-Goers Preference Analysis of Fitness Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Conjoint Analysis Approach for Business Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Jairo León-Quismondo & Jorge García-Unanue & Pablo Burillo, 2020. "Best Practices for Fitness Center Business Sustainability: A Qualitative Vision," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Jairo León-Quismondo & Jorge García-Unanue & Pablo Burillo, 2020. "Service Perceptions in Fitness Centers: IPA Approach by Gender and Age," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-10, April.
    5. García-Fernández, Jerónimo & Gálvez-Ruíz, Pablo & Fernández-Gavira, Jesús & Vélez-Colón, Luisa & Pitts, Brenda & Bernal-García, Ainara, 2018. "The effects of service convenience and perceived quality on perceived value, satisfaction and loyalty in low-cost fitness centers," Sport Management Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 250-262.
    6. Antonio Fernández-Martínez & Mónica Haro-González & Román Nuviala & Raquel Pérez-Ordás & Alberto Nuviala, 2020. "Women and Physical Activity in Fitness Centres. Analysis of Future Intentions and Their Relationship with Age," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-15, July.
    7. Jairo León-Quismondo & José Bonal & Pablo Burillo & Álvaro Fernández-Luna, 2020. "Walkability and Fitness Center Prices, Opening Hours, and Extra Services: The Case of Madrid, Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-10, August.
    8. Manuel Jesús Baena-Arroyo & Jerónimo García-Fernández & Pablo Gálvez-Ruiz & Moisés Grimaldi-Puyana, 2020. "Analyzing Consumer Loyalty through Service Experience and Service Convenience: Differences between Instructor Fitness Classes and Virtual Fitness Classes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.
    9. Oscar Eduardo Ávila-Rodríguez, Silvana Janeth Correa-Henao, Laura Cristina Henao-Colorado, Héctor Alonso Monroy-Escudero, Jorge Iván Brand-Ortiz, 2021. "Determinantes de la lealtad en la relación entre la Liga Antioquena de Tenis de Campo y sus clientes," Revista CEA, Instituto Tecnológico Metropolitano, vol. 7(15), pages 1-24, September.
    10. Antonio Fernández-Martínez & Víctor Murillo-Lorente & Alberto Sarmiento & Javier Álvarez-Medina & Alberto Nuviala, 2020. "Exercise Addiction and Satisfaction of Fitness Center Users as Precursors to the Intention of Continuing to Engage in Physical Activity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    11. Katerina Paschalidou & Efi Tsitskari & Kostas Alexandris & Thomas Karagiorgos & Dionisios Filippou, 2023. "Segmenting Fitness Center Customers: Leveraging Perceived Ethicality for Enhanced Loyalty, Trust, and Word-of-Mouth Communication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-19, November.
    12. Fernando García-Pascual & Carlos Pérez-Campos & Joaquín García Sánchez & Ana Soto-Rubio & Sergio Aguado Berenguer, 2021. "Models of Sports Management in Fitness Centres. Influence of Sex, Age and Sport Frequency. Linear Models vs. Qualitative Comparative Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-11, August.
    13. Pedro Sobreiro & Pedro Guedes-Carvalho & Abel Santos & Paulo Pinheiro & Celina Gonçalves, 2021. "Predicting Fitness Centre Dropout," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, October.
    14. Putro Kukuh Hardopo & Siswantoyo & Aman Mohd Salleh, 2020. "Analysis of Effects of Service Quality and Loyalty on Interest Rates of Basketball Athletes in Sahabat Basketball Club Yogyakarta," HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, Sciendo, vol. 11(2), pages 151-160, August.
    15. Antonio Fernández-Martínez & Raquel Pérez-Ordás & Román Nuviala & Mónica Aznar & Ana María Porcel-Gálvez & Alberto Nuviala, 2020. "Communication as a Strategy to Promote Sports and Health Activities Designed for Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-13, July.
    16. Yu-Lung Lee & Lee-Yun Pan & Chin-Hsien Hsu & De-Chih Lee, 2018. "Exploring the Sustainability Correlation of Value Co-Creation and Customer Loyalty-A Case Study of Fitness Clubs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    17. Ardvin Kester S. Ong & Yogi Tri Prasetyo & Godwin M. Bagon & Christian Hope S. Dadulo & Nathaniel O. Hortillosa & Morrissey A. Mercado & Thanatorn Chuenyindee & Reny Nadlifatin & Satria Fadil Persada, 2022. "Investigating Factors Affecting Behavioral Intention among Gym-Goers to Visit Fitness Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Integrating Physical Activity Maintenance Theory and Social Cognitive Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, September.
    18. Fernando García-Pascual & David Parra-Camacho & Gabriel Martínez Rico, 2023. "Customer Experience in Sports Centres: Adaptation and Validation of a Measurement Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-12, March.
    19. Pedro Cuesta-Valiño & Pablo Gutiérrez-Rodríguez & Cristina Loranca-Valle, 2021. "Sustainable Management of Sports Federations: The Indirect Effects of Perceived Service on Member’s Loyalty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-24, January.
    20. Chiang, Ai-Hsuan & Trimi, Silvana & Lo, Yu-Ju, 2022. "Emotion and service quality of anthropomorphic robots," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10393-:d:648901. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.