Article: Gamified features as a mediator of fitness app engagement: a cross-sectional study Journal: International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets (IJBEM) 2025 Vol.17 No.6 pp.1 - 29 Abstract: The research explores the influence of performance expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, and user engagement in continued usage. Data was collected from 438 fitness app users in China through an online survey. Performance expectancy (β = -0.008, p = 0.874), social influence (β = 0.026, p = 0.557), hedonic motivation (β = 0.104, p = 0.064), and habit (β = 0.084, p = 0.165); none of these has a direct effect on continued user intention. However, each determinant significantly influenced gamified features (p < 0.05), which in turn had a strong and significant effect on continued app use (β = 0.593, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis confirmed that gamified features significantly mediated the relationships between the four antecedents and continued usage. The results show that gamification is crucial to improve user experience and promote long-term use of a fitness app. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Gamified features as a mediator of fitness app engagement: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Yuhao Gong; Jonghyun Yi

Addresses: Gachon Business School, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, 1342, Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, South Korea ' Department of Business Administration, College of Business, Gachon University, Seongnam, South Korea

Abstract: The research explores the influence of performance expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, habit, and user engagement in continued usage. Data was collected from 438 fitness app users in China through an online survey. Performance expectancy (β = -0.008, p = 0.874), social influence (β = 0.026, p = 0.557), hedonic motivation (β = 0.104, p = 0.064), and habit (β = 0.084, p = 0.165); none of these has a direct effect on continued user intention. However, each determinant significantly influenced gamified features (p < 0.05), which in turn had a strong and significant effect on continued app use (β = 0.593, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis confirmed that gamified features significantly mediated the relationships between the four antecedents and continued usage. The results show that gamification is crucial to improve user experience and promote long-term use of a fitness app.

Keywords: technology acceptance model; TAM; path coefficient; hedonic motivation; performance expectancy; UTAUT2; gamified features.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEM.2025.149818

International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 2025 Vol.17 No.6, pp.1 - 29

Received: 19 May 2025
Accepted: 22 Jul 2025
Published online: 13 Nov 2025 *

Title: Gamified features as a mediator of fitness app engagement: a cross-sectional study

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