Core social network size is associated with physical activity participation for fitness app users: The role of social comparison and social support. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Guanxiong; Sun, Mengru; Jiang, Li Crystal
• Is Part Of: Computers in human behavior. Volume 129(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: mHealth -- Fitness app -- Social network size -- Social comparison -- Social support -- WeRun; Interactive computer systems -- Periodicals; Man-machine systems -- Periodicals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.107169
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0747-5632

Abstract

Abstract: The present study aimed to examine the effects of social networking functions of fitness apps on users' physical activity participation. Drawing on the input-mechanism-output framework in mHealth, tthis study connected the functions of a Chinese fitness app (WeRun) to users' step counts tracked by the app and examined the psychological mechanisms underlying the processes. Through a cross-sectional survey of WeRun users ( N = 643), we found that the frequency of checking WeRun as well as users' core network size (i.e., the number of friends followed on WeRun) positively correlated with physical activity participation. Social comparison mechanisms were explanatory of physical activity participation, but social support was not. Specifically, upward comparison was positively associated, and downward comparison was negatively associated with physical activity participation. Upward comparison also mediated the relationships between the two user-app inputs (i.e., frequency of checking and core network size) and physical activity participation. These findings reveal the theoretical mechanisms of fitness app functions and provide valuable insights for mHealth design. Highlights: Users who check their WeRun status more frequently are more physically active. Users who follow more friends on WeRun are more physically active. WeRun users who engage in more upward comparison are more physically active. WeRun users who engage in more downward comparison are less physically active.