Critical Experiences with Sport and Wellness Technology Digital Coach : A Study among University Students with Low Levels of Physical Activity

Abstract

University age students have been found to be in a high risk of disengagement with physical activity and therefore exercise promotion to this target group is important. Since today’s students are familiar with different kinds of digital technology, it is worth including personal wellness devices in physical activity promotion. This study explores critical experiences occurring during the implementation phase of a sport and wellness technology digital coach among university students with low or sedentary physical activity level. This study uses qualitative methods and is based on a thematic analysis of 30 interviews combined with the critical incident technique. The study reveals the experiences that the users consider crucial during the first phases of usage of digital coaching devices, which offer guidance and feedback on how to improve aerobic fitness. The findings highlight the importance of these critical experiences to the overall usage experience as well as their influence on the motivation to improve fitness with a sport and wellness technology digital coach.