Mobile fitness apps have gained popularity as a way of improving healthy behaviors. This study investigates the design and influence of fitness apps from a novel “group” perspective, focusing on the effects of group-level social interaction features in exercise participation. Through empirical studies on a unique dataset, we propose and verify a conceptual framework that shows that (1) group role model inspiration and group comparison features facilitate the intra-group assimilation and inter-group contrast processes and further significantly improve group participation, and that (2) offline activities moderate the effects of group comparison features on group participation. This study contributes to the literature on online communities and fitness apps/service design by demonstrating the motivating power of group-level interactions and online–offline engagement. It also provides practical guidelines for fitness app developers.

中文翻译：

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Run for the group：研究健身应用的群组级社交互动功能对锻炼参与的影响


移动健身应用程序作为改善健康行为的一种方式而广受欢迎。本研究从新颖的“群体”角度调查了健身应用程序的设计和影响，重点关注群体层面的社交互动特征对锻炼参与的影响。通过对独特数据集的实证研究，我们提出并验证了一个概念框架，该框架表明 （1） 群体榜样启发和群体比较特征促进了群体内同化和群体间对比过程，并进一步显着提高了群体参与度，并且 （2） 离线活动调节了群体比较特征对群体参与的影响。本研究通过展示群体层面互动和线上线下参与的激励力量，为在线社区和健身应用程序/服务设计的文献做出了贡献。它还为健身应用程序开发人员提供了实用指南。