Can my personal trainer be digital? Experiences of digital coaching supporting physical activity and exercise

Abstract

Due to the decreasing levels of physical activity across different populations, it is important to explore ways to support people in increasing their physical activity. Information systems (IS) have been involved in physical activity in various ways, including through sport and wellness technology. Even though the use of such technology has been proven to be somewhat effective, there is still a need to develop solutions that are more personalised and motivational and provide instructive assistance. Digital coaching is a relatively new concept that brings these elements into sport and wellness technology to make it more engaging and motivational. Digital coaches not only provide feedback but also offer continuously updated advice and suggestions without requiring any human interaction. Due to the novelty of digital coaching solutions, there is a lack of research related to sport and wellness technology digital coaching, and particularly its motivational influence. This thesis focuses on investigating from both a psychological and a practical point of view how digital coaching in this way can support different types of users in terms of physical activity. It includes three intervention studies that use both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The findings of this thesis show how digital coaching can influence a user’s exercise self-efficacy and exercise motivation. The results also identify people’s experiences of using digital coaching and how they think it should be developed further to provide better support. The findings highlight the potential digital coaching possesses for increasing self-efficacy and motivation towards exercising, such as through increased awareness towards one’s own physical activity and bringing variation and support to exercising. However, functionality and usability related problems together with lack of personalisation can decrease the positive motivational influence of the digital coach. The findings aim to provide different stakeholders, including developers, marketers, users and healthcare professionals, insight into the usage and motivational influence of digital coaching.