Understanding exercise persistence through fitness app engagement: an affordance actualization theory perspective

Purpose The rise in public health awareness has led to a significant increase in the use of fitness apps, which many individuals rely on to maintain their exercise routines. However, the impact of users' engagement with these apps on exercise persistence remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore how users' actualization of fitness app affordances – exercise control, data management and social interaction – affects their exercise persistence. Design/methodology/approach A theoretical model grounded in affordance actualization (AA) theory was developed to examine the relationships between the actualization of fitness app affordance sets and exercise persistence. Data were collected through an online survey of 522 fitness app users and analyzed using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling. Findings The results reveal that actualizing affordances for exercise control and data management enhances users' feelings of empowerment and enjoyment, fostering exercise persistence. Social interaction affordances, while increasing empowerment, negatively affect enjoyment. Additionally, as users' exercise proficiency increases, the positive effects of data management and social interaction on empowerment diminish. Originality/value By integrating AA theory in the context of digital health technologies, this study offers insights into the relationship between the actualization of affordances and exercise persistence, highlighting the critical role of fitness app affordances actualization in sustaining exercise persistence through its effects on empowerment and enjoyment. The findings provide actionable insights for fitness app designers, emphasizing the importance of tailoring affordances to users' varying levels of expertise to maximize their effectiveness.