Factors associated with the intention to use fitness apps: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Physical inactivity and obesity pose significant global health challenges, with fitness applications (apps) emerging as viable tools for promoting physical activity and self-health management. However, despite the growing market, the key determinants of users’ intention to use fitness apps remain inconsistent across studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the evidence and quantify the associations between psychological determinants and the intention to use fitness apps. Six electronic databases (including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched from inception to August 1, 2026. Included studies empirically investigated fitness app usage intention and reported sample sizes with quantitative data (path coefficients). We coded each article to compile the necessary information for the meta-analysis using a random-effect model. Methodological quality was assessed using the AXIS tool, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Egger’s tests, fail-safe N, and trim-and-fill analyses. Twenty-nine studies involving 22,971 participants were included. Perceived Usefulness showed the strongest pooled association with fitness app usage intention ( r = 0.423, 95% CI: 0.332–0.505), followed by Subjective Norm ( r = 0.394, 95% CI: 0.037–0.662), Habit ( r = 0.391, 95% CI: 0.283–0.489), Perceived Enjoyment ( r = 0.360, 95% CI: 0.193–0.507), and Satisfaction ( r = 0.356, 95% CI: 0.285–0.422). Moderate associations were observed for Performance Expectancy, Hedonic Motivation, and Perceived Ease-of-Use, whereas Price Value, Effort Expectancy, and Social Influence showed small associations. Facilitating Conditions was not significantly associated with usage intention ( r = − 0.070, 95% CI: −0.375–0.249, p = 0.672). Substantial heterogeneity was observed for most predictors (I² > 75% for 10 of 12 variables), suggesting contextual variability across populations, countries, app types, and measurement approaches. Perceived Usefulness and Subjective Norm are the most prominent factors associated with fitness app usage intention. The findings suggest that an integrated framework combining utilitarian, social, and experiential factors is appropriate for understanding user engagement. However, due to the significant heterogeneity and the observational nature of the included studies, these results should be interpreted as preliminary associations rather than causal effects. App developers may consider prioritizing functional utility and social features, but design strategies should be adapted to specific user contexts.