The association between wearable device use and exercise adherence: a chain mediation model of exercise self-efficacy and positive experiences

Objective To examine the association between wearable device use and exercise adherence and to investigate the chain-mediated roles of exercise self-efficacy and positive experiences in this relationship. Methods A questionnaire survey was administered to individuals who used fitness apps or smart wearable devices ( N = 367). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to examine the hypothesized associations and mediation pathways. The Bootstrap method with 5,000 resamples was applied to assess indirect effects. Results Wearable device use showed a statistically significant total association with exercise adherence ( β = 0.430, p < 0.001); after the two proposed mediators were included, the direct association was β = 0.197 ( p < 0.001). Exercise self-efficacy and positive experiences each showed significant independent indirect associations, and the sequential (chain) indirect pathway involving both variables was also statistically significant (indirect association = 0.059, 95% CI [0.035, 0.086]). The indirect associations statistically accounted for 54.0% of the total association. Conclusion Among physically active users of digital fitness technologies, wearable device use was positively associated with exercise adherence, and this association was partially accounted for by a chain mediation pathway involving exercise self-efficacy and positive experiences. The findings are consistent with, but do not confirm, the proposed directional model; they identify psychological factors associated with exercise adherence among wearable device users and may inform future research on technology-assisted approaches for supporting sustained exercise behaviour.