Western Correspondent
Researchers in Galway have found that the benefits of smartphone fitness
apps depend on the user's social motivation.
The study was carried out in light of the increasing popularity of physical
fitness apps, such as RunKeeper and MyFitnessPal.
It found that those who used such technology for giving support and
encouragement to others were more likely to have a passion for exercise and
that they also reported lower stress levels.
In contrast, higher stress levels were detected among those who used the
apps to seek social recognition, like praise and public endorsements for
their exercise habits. These people are more likely to have an obsessive
passion for physical exercise.
The research was carried out by the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and
Economics at NUI Galway.
The study's lead author, Dr Eoin Whelan, said fitness apps could be a
double-edged sword and may lead to greater burnout.
He said that employers promoting the use of such technologies should be
mindful of the signals they can give regarding obsessive exercising.
The findings have been published in the Information Technology and People
journal.
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