Exploring Common and Novel Actualized Affordances of Fitbit: Mixed Methods Study
Moayad Alshawmar, Bengisu Tulu, E Vance Wilson, Adrienne Hall-Phillips, Ibrahim Aljadani, Emmanuel Agu

TL;DR
This study explores how Fitbit users interact with the app by identifying common and novel features that help them stay engaged and improve their health.
Contribution
The study uncovers both common and novel affordances of Fitbit through mixed methods, extending the understanding of user–fitness app interactions.
Findings
Updating and reminding were the most frequently used affordances by Fitbit users.
Few users utilized novel affordances like accountability and self-comparison.
Designing features for both common and novel affordances may enhance app effectiveness and health outcomes.
Abstract
Although fitness apps could promote healthier lifestyles, evidence on the effectiveness of app-based interventions remains inconsistent. Previous studies have used affordance theory to identify the factors that generate exercise-related value for users. However, many fitness app affordance studies have examined multiple fitness apps collectively, assuming similar design intentions across platforms. Moreover, most have relied on predefined affordances rather than investigating emergent or novel ones that may reveal unique user–fitness app interactions. This study aimed to identify the common affordances actualized by Fitbit users and uncover novel affordances that emerge from their interactions with this specific app, thereby extending the understanding of how affordances contribute to user engagement and health outcomes. We used a 2-stage mixed methods design. First, a cross-sectional…
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Taxonomy
TopicsInnovative Human-Technology Interaction · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Digital Mental Health Interventions
