What drives young adults to use digital fitness technologies? An integrated model based on TAM and SCT

Digital fitness technologies (DFT), encompassing digital fitness databases, online fitness classes, and technology-based exercise devices, offer a promising alternative to traditional methods for promoting exercise participation. This study aimed to develop and test an integrated model to explain the factors influencing DFT usage behaviour among young adults, based on the technology acceptance model (TAM: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude, intention, and usage behaviour) and social cognitive theory (SCT: self-efficacy, self-regulation, social support, and outcome expectations). A total of 686 participants completed an online survey, and the proposed model was assessed using structural equation modelling. The results indicated that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were positively associated with attitude toward DFT. Attitude toward DFT was further linked to the intention to use DFT, which was associated with self-reported DFT use. Concurrently, social support and outcome expectations for exercise were positively associated with self-regulation and exercise self-efficacy, which were, in turn, linked to the intention to use DFT and self-reported DFT use. These findings contribute to broadening our understanding of the factors that drive DFT adoption from dual perspectives of TAM and SCT, and offer valuable insights for designing targeted interventions to enhance DFT engagement.