Improving motivation to support physical activity through fitness app in China: A co-design approach
Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis - ECU Access Only
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated)
School
School of Arts and Humanities
First Supervisor
Jo Jung
Second Supervisor
Christopher Kueh
Abstract
Health and fitness apps support health goals but have lower retention rates compared to other mHealth apps in China. My research explores the integration of motivation into a fitness app's User Experience (UX) design process. I adopted co-design approaches involving twelve young Chinese adults from China and conducted research in four phases: user studies, ideating features, prototype tests, and evaluating implementations.
Participants’ insights suggested four motivational features: gamification, relaxation, music, and mutual growth. Six motivational factors were observed: results, memory, assistance, facts, structure, and power. These findings provide a design research framework for incorporating motivation into fitness app design.
DOI
10.25958/ke8r-9a72
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 22nd March 2026
Recommended Citation
Zhou, J. (2025). Improving motivation to support physical activity through fitness app in China: A co-design approach. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/ke8r-9a72